Investing in the Mental Health of the Labor Force: Epidemiological and Economic Impact of Mental Health Disabilities in the Workplace
Abstract
By the year 2020, depression will emerge as one of the leading causes of disability globally, second only to ischemic heart disease (World Health Organization 2001). Thus, governments are taking notice of the mental health of workers. For example, the European Ministers of Health have endorsed a detailed action plan calling for employers to “create healthy workplaces by introducing measures such as exercise, changes to work patterns, sensible hours, and healthy management styles,” and also to “include mental health in programs dealing with occupational health and safety” (World Health Organization 2005). More recently the European Union’s Pact for Mental Health and Wellbeing identifies the workplace as one of its four areas for action (Commission of the European Communities 2008).
Keywords
Mental Disorder Gross Domestic Product Mental Health Problem Sickness Absence Labor Force ParticipationNotes
Acknowledgments
Dr. Dewa gratefully acknowledges the support provided by her CIHR/PHAC Applied Public Health Chair. The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health receives funding from the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care to support research infrastructure. This article does not necessarily reflect their views. Any remaining errors are the sole responsibility of the authors.
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