By bringing clinical insight to the workplace, assessments help reduce guesswork, improve outcomes, and foster an environment where employees feel understood and supported.
October 10th marks World Mental Health Day, a global reminder of the importance of mental wellbeing for everyone - both in and out of the workplace.
We believe mental health is just as critical as physical health, and supporting it requires more than awareness campaigns - it requires actionable strategies, specialized expertise, and workplace collaboration.
Why Mental Health Matters
Mental health challenges are common and often invisible. Nearly 1 in 5 Canadians experience a mental health condition each year. Anxiety, depression, stress-related disorders, and burnout not only affect individuals’ personal lives but also impact workplace productivity, engagement, and retention.
Despite this, stigma around mental health remains a barrier, preventing many employees from seeking help.
The Role of Mental Health IMEs
Independent Medical Evaluations (IMEs) aren’t just for physical injuries - they play a critical role in supporting employees with mental health conditions.
Our mental health specialists, including psychiatrists, psychologists, and occupational therapists, provide objective, evidence-based assessments to help workplaces understand an employee’s functional capacity, accommodation needs, and strategies for safe and sustainable return to work.
Mental health IMEs can:
- Assess functional limitations related to stress, anxiety, depression, or trauma
- Recommend accommodations for safe, productive work
- Provide guidance on return-to-work plans or gradual reintegration
- Support employers in making informed, legally compliant decisions
By bringing clinical insight to the workplace, these assessments help reduce guesswork, improve outcomes, and foster an environment where employees feel understood and supported.
Our Specialists Make the Difference
NYRC’s roster includes a diverse range of mental health professionals with experience in occupational health and disability management. From psychiatrists skilled in complex clinical evaluations to psychologists experienced in workplace stress and trauma, our specialists provide nuanced insights tailored to each unique case.
Mental Health in the Workplace
World Mental Health Day is also an opportunity to reflect on workplace culture. Research shows that workplaces with strong mental health support see lower absenteeism, higher engagement, and improved retention.
Some practical steps organizations can take include:
- Encouraging open dialogue and reducing stigma
- Providing Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) or counselling resources
- Training managers to recognize early signs of stress or mental health concerns
- Using objective assessments, like mental health IMEs, to guide accommodations and return-to-work planning
Interesting Insights
- The Conference Board of Canada reports that mental health issues cost Canadian employers an estimated $51 billion annually in lost productivity, turnover, and disability claims.
- Only 1 in 3 employees say their workplace offers adequate mental health support. There’s a clear opportunity for organizations to lead the way in supporting employee wellbeing.
This World Mental Health Day, it’s not enough to just raise awareness. True impact comes from actionable support, informed decision-making, and access to specialized expertise.
We partner with workplaces to ensure employees with mental health conditions receive fair, evidence-based assessments, and that employers are equipped to provide safe, inclusive, and supportive environments.
Mental health affects everyone - investing in it benefits individuals, teams, and organizations alike. On this World Mental Health Day, we commit to help build workplaces where mental wellbeing is prioritized, understood, and supported.
