In addition to peer support offered by the injured worker community, many programs and resources provide information and help in understanding and living with mental health conditions.
Tools, webinars and other support resources
- Roadblocks and Alternate Routes: Practical Strategies for Managing Mental Health & Return to Work / E. MacEachen et al
- Return to Work: A Psychological Toolkit For Heading Back to Work (after the pandemic) / CMHA-Ontario
- Mental Injury Toolkit / Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers (OHCOW) and partners
- Find Mental Health Support – Resources at Work / Ontario. Ministry of Health
- Health Minds @Work ; Mental Health / Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
- Workplace Strategies for Mental Health / Canada Life
Research based on lived experiences
A growing number of studies document the effects injury can also have on workers’ mental health – both the event itself and the added stress of having to fight for recognition, social legitimacy and fair compensation:
- Institute for Work & Health. Mental Health in the Workplace
- Kilgour, Elizabeth et al. 2015. “Interactions between Injured Workers and Insurers in Workers’ Compensation Systems: A Systematic Review of Qualitative Research Literature.” Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation 25(1): 160-181
- Blank, Alison A. et al 2015. “‘Without Occupation You Don’t Exist’: Occupational Engagement and Mental Illness.” Journal of Occupational Science 22(2): 197-209
- Dewa, C.S. 2014. “Worker Attitudes Towards Mental Health Problems and Disclosure.” International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 5(4): 175-186 (Ontario study)
- Pollock, Sarah et al. 2014. Filling the Dark Spot: Fifteen Injured Workers Shine a Light on the Workers’ Compensation System to Improve it for Others. Melbourne, Creative Ministries Network
- O’Hagan, Fergal T. et al. 2012. “Mental Health Status of Ontario Injured Workers with Permanent Impairments.” Canadian Journal of Public Health 103(4): 303-308
- Lippel, Katherine et al. 2011. “Access to Workers’ Compensation Benefits and Other Legal Protections for Work-related Mental Health Problems: A Canadian Overview.” Canadian Journal of Public Health 101 (Suppl. 1): S16-S22 (includes gender aspects)