A one-stop mental health resource for employers and their employees Health related matters may be a workplace challenge for both employers and their employees. Mental health has emerged as one of the dominant issues in the Canadian workplace affecting the lives of millions of Canadians and their families. Mental illness costs the Canadian economy more than $51 billion a year in lost productivity, direct medical costs and reductions in health-related quality of life. Approximately 7.5 million Canadians per year suffer a mental disorder. People aged 15-24 (often new to, or about to enter the workforce) are most at risk of developing a mental disorder. More than 30% of Manulife Financial's long term disability claims are related to mental illness. By 2020, it is estimated that depression will be the leading cause of disability on the planet. Sources: Centre for Addiction and Mental Health and World Health Organization stats; The Working Wounded, The Globe and Mail, June 22, 2008; and CFO Framework for Mental Health and Productivity, November 2007; Global Business and Economic Roundtable on Addiction and Mental Health "We are witness to convergence of the brain-based economy with the advent of brain-based disorders significantly concentrated among men and women in the labour force." Source: Global Business and Economic Roundtable on Addiction and Mental Health. The medical society has made great strides in the treatment of many medical conditions like cancer and diabetes but their outcomes for mental health have not made the same kind of progress. Our goal is to help employers and employees achieve better mental health outcomes by providing tools and various resource links found throughout this website for the purposes of mental health educational awareness. That means better access to support and services that may help to expedite recovery and return to work for employees including long-term stability, health and wellness; and better support and services for employers to help their employees stay healthy and at work – before problems occur. Check back often as we continue to bring you new information. We welcome your comments and suggestions. If you would like to contact us or if you have any questions or suggestions, please email us. What's Inside? What's New ---------------------------------------------------- Manulife's approach to mental health Our External Mental Health Advisory Panel Our Absence and Disability Case Management Approach Partners in Mental Health Employers: Access our Better Outcomes Employer Series Employees: Access our Better Outcomes Employee Series Quick Mental Health Links Manulife Financial is not responsible for the availability or content of external websites.