Study takes deep dive into mental health of injured workers in Ontario
"The mental health of injured workers isn’t a one-size-fits-all," says Kathleen Dobson, an associate scientist at the Institute for Work & Health (IWH). Speaking at the IWH Speaker Series on January 28, 2025, Dobson presents new research that uncovers distinct mental health profiles among injured workers—and their significant impact on return-to-work outcomes.
Her study, recently published in the Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation, highlights how workers with physical injuries often struggle with mental health challenges that affect their recovery and ability to return to work. The findings carry critical implications for workplace safety professionals, employers, and compensation boards.
Mental health matters in workplace injuries
Dobson’s research dives into the complex relationship between physical injuries and mental health, using data from Ontario’s Life After Workplace Injury Study. The study examines injured workers 18 months after their injury to understand how mental health influences their return to work.
"One of the biggest health issues we talk about as employees, employers, and organizations is mental health," Dobson explains. She emphasizes that mental health is more than just the absence of illness—it’s about emotional, psychological, and social well-being.
Her study applies a “complete mental health model”, a framework that categorizes workers based on both mental illness symptoms and overall mental well-being. This approach reveals four distinct mental illness groups and three positive mental health groups among injured workers.
"Not everybody experiences mental health in the same way," she says. "Some workers might have symptoms of mental illness but still have strong mental well-being, while others without a diagnosed condition might be struggling."
Return-to-work outcomes depend on mental health
The study finds a clear connection between mental health profiles and return-to-work success. Workers with flourishing mental health tend to return to work sooner and have shorter compensation claims, while those with languishing mental health experience longer absences and financial difficulties.
"The duration of loss-of-earnings claims was significantly higher for those in the languishing group," Dobson explains. Her data shows that workers with the poorest mental health had claims lasting nearly twice as long as those with strong mental well-being.
She also highlights key risk factors:
- Financial stress: "81% of workers with pre-existing mental illness reported financial concerns during their claim."
- Ongoing pain: "Pain levels were higher in the languishing mental health group, and we know that pain can significantly impact mental health."
- Isolation: "A striking finding was that many injured workers reported a weak sense of belonging to their community."
For workplace health and safety professionals, these findings reinforce the need to address mental health as part of injury recovery and return-to-work planning.
What can employers and safety leaders do?
Dobson urges employers and safety professionals to support mental health before, during, and after a workplace injury.
"Checking in with injured workers isn’t just about their physical recovery," she stresses. "A simple call from a colleague to ask how they’re doing can make a real difference."
She also suggests integrating mental health monitoring into workplace safety programs, emphasizing that preventative measures can help maintain positive mental health before an injury even occurs.
"We often think of mental health intervention as something we do after a problem arises, but maintaining positive mental health should be part of workplace safety culture," she says.
More research and action needed
While Dobson’s study is an important step, she acknowledges that more research is needed to fully understand the mental health challenges of injured workers.
"This is just the beginning," she says. "We need to look at how return-to-work experiences, employer support, and claim processes impact mental health over time."
As the discussion on workplace safety evolves, one thing is clear: mental health must be part of the equation when supporting injured workers.
"We want a mentally healthy workforce," Dobson concludes. "And that means understanding, supporting, and prioritizing the complete mental health of injured workers."
Key Takeaways for Safety Professionals
✔ Recognize that mental health impacts return-to-work success
✔ Address financial stress, pain management, and social well-being in recovery plans
✔ Implement mental health check-ins for injured workers
✔ Promote workplace cultures that support mental well-being—before an injury happens
Want to Learn More?
Dr. Dobson’s full presentation is available on the Institute for Work & Health website, and her published study can be accessed through the Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation.
