Study includes opportunity for safety leaders to 'see findings' and 'give feedback'
Workplace mental health is a critical issue, particularly for Indigenous workers who face unique challenges that affect their well-being. In Northwestern Ontario, a pioneering research study led by Vicki Kristman, director of the Enhancing the Prevention of Injury and Disability at Work Research Institute (EPID@Work) and Ontario Research Chair in Injury and Disability Prevention at Lakehead University, is setting out to tackle these issues head-on. The study, supported by a $1.97 million grant from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), is dedicated to improving mental health for Indigenous workers across the region.
“We want to understand how workplaces support and also hinder the ability of Indigenous workers to engage,” says Kristman. Her research is part of the larger Northwestern Ontario Workplace and Worker Health Study, which looks at workplace environments across all industrial sectors in the area. A key component of this project is identifying workplace factors that impact Indigenous workers’ mental health, either positively or negatively.
Addressing cultural barriers and discrimination
One of the primary challenges Indigenous workers face is a lack of recognition for their cultural identity. “Not all workplaces support that,” Kristman explains. “Often workers who are different than others, or have different cultural backgrounds, can experience discrimination.” This lack of understanding and accommodation leads to significant stress and can undermine workers' mental health.
The research, which involves collecting data through surveys and interviews, aims to paint a clearer picture of the specific challenges these workers face. Kristman and her team have already included a dedicated section on Indigenous issues within the baseline survey for the broader study. In addition, they are conducting individual interviews and sharing circles with Indigenous participants to dive deeper into their personal experiences in the workplace.
“We want to hear the stories that people have had of their experiences, so we can better understand the nuanced details,” Kristman says. This qualitative approach will help identify patterns of both positive and harmful workplace practices, and ultimately inform interventions to improve support for Indigenous workers.
Developing tailored workplace interventions
The study's goal isn’t just to document problems—it’s to find solutions. By working closely with employers and Indigenous communities, the research team aims to create interventions that promote healthier work environments. “We want to work with both individuals and employers to come up with strategies on how we can address these challenges,” says Kristman.
This collaborative approach is central to the study’s design. Over the course of five years, Kristman’s team will analyze the data and develop tailored interventions that can be tested in real-world workplaces. These interventions could range from enhancing cultural awareness training for non-Indigenous employees to implementing workplace policies that are more inclusive of Indigenous cultural practices and needs.
Kristman emphasizes that the focus is on sustainable change. “We hope at the five-year point, we’ll actually have some interventions developed that we can test to see if they are helping Indigenous workers to further engage and be productive members of the working society,” she says.
A call to health and safety professionals
For occupational health and safety (OHS) professionals, Kristman’s research provides a critical opportunity to engage with this work and ensure that their practices are inclusive of Indigenous workers. “We want to work with them,” Kristman says, calling on OHS experts to collaborate in developing and implementing these interventions. “It’s really important that they are aware of the study and also have the opportunity to work with us, see the findings, and give feedback on what their experiences are.”
By addressing mental health challenges specific to Indigenous workers, this study has the potential to reshape workplace cultures and set a precedent for more inclusive and supportive work environments across Canada. Health and safety professionals can play a key role in making this vision a reality, as they are uniquely positioned to influence the implementation of policies that protect the well-being of all employees.
Kristman’s work is grounded in a commitment to cultural understanding, collaboration, and lasting change. As the study progresses, it will not only enhance the mental health of Indigenous workers but also contribute to a more equitable and productive workforce. "We want to help," Kristman concludes. "We want to identify factors that can either help or harm an Indigenous worker’s mental health, and work to make the workplace a safer, more supportive environment."
By focusing on the intersection of mental health, workplace safety, and cultural respect, this research marks an important step toward a future where every worker’s well-being is prioritized.
