Tackling the Growing Mental Health Challenges in Injury Management

Mental health issues in the workplace are on the rise, and they are taking a significant toll on both employees and organisations. According to recent research, mental health conditions result in a median compensation of $58,615 and an average of 34.2 weeks of time lost from work (2024 GERI Injury Report).  

Further, in a poll of over 300 health and injury management professionals at the recent Comcare Conference, psychosocial wellbeing was listed as the biggest challenges organisations face.  

These staggering numbers highlight the importance of integrating mental health management into your broader EHS and injury management strategy. 

The Mental Health Crisis in the Workplace 

Stress, anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues have become increasingly common in workplaces across the globe. These issues not only affect the well-being of employees but also have significant financial implications for businesses. Without proper intervention, mental health issues can lead to: 

• Increased absenteeism: Employees dealing with mental health challenges are more likely to miss work, leading to productivity losses. 

• Higher workers’ compensation costs: Mental health claims are more expensive than physical injury claims, often due to extended recovery times and additional therapy costs. 

• Lower employee morale and engagement: A workplace that fails to address mental health can foster a toxic environment, leading to disengagement, presenteeism, and higher turnover rates. 

Integrating Mental Health into Your Injury Management Strategy 

Despite these challenges, many organisations still treat mental health and physical injury management as separate entities. However, the reality is that both are closely intertwined, and managing them together can lead to better outcomes for employees and the organisation as a whole. 

An integrated EHS and injury management platform can help by: 

• Tracking Mental Health Indicators: Using data from HR and safety systems, you can monitor absenteeism, productivity, and other leading indicators of mental health issues. This enables you to intervene early, before problems escalate into costly compensation claims. 

• Facilitating Early Interventions: With the right data, you can identify patterns and trends that indicate potential mental health challenges. For example, if an employee is frequently absent or reports feeling stressed, you can proactively offer support, such as counselling or adjustments to their workload. 

• Supporting Recovery and Return to Work: Mental health recovery often requires a different approach than physical injuries. Our platform allows you to track the progress of employees dealing with mental health challenges, ensuring they receive the support they need to successfully return to work. 

The Financial and Operational Benefits 

Addressing mental health proactively not only supports your employees but also protects your organisation from the financial and operational impacts of mental health-related claims. With the right tools, you can reduce the length of time employees are absent, lower compensation costs, and foster a more positive workplace culture. 

If your organisation is struggling to manage the growing mental health crisis, now is the time to act. By integrating mental health into your broader EHS and injury management strategy, you can improve outcomes for your employees and your bottom line.  

Contact us today to learn how we can help you tackle these challenges and how we can bring all your safety and injury data together in one simple platform.