Mental health is no longer on the periphery of workers’ compensation in Canada—it’s at the centre. With the rising tide of psychological injury claims across provinces and territories, Canada’s workers’ compensation boards (WCBs) are proactively transforming how mental health is prevented, treated, and supported in the workplace.

Between 2012 and 2022, the proportion of lost-time claims due to mental disorders more than doubled. PTSD alone now makes up nearly half of all mental health injury claims. These conditions are often more complex and costlier than physical injuries, demanding specialized attention and long-term recovery strategies.

Here’s how Canada is turning the tide—with innovation, empathy, and a clear commitment to supporting workers’ mental well-being.

1. Prevention First: Redesigning Workplaces for Psychological Safety

Every jurisdiction in Canada now recognizes psychological injuries as compensable—an important shift that sends a clear message: mental health matters.

Legislation with Impact: Provinces like British Columbia led early with laws like Bill 14, mandating coverage for mental disorders linked to workplace stressors such as harassment. Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and PEI have gone further by extending PTSD coverage to all workers, not just first responders.
Proactive Tools and Training: Prevention is more than policy. From anti-bullying toolkits in BC to the CSA Z1003 National Standard, boards are equipping employers to reduce psychosocial hazards and build mentally healthier workplaces.
Rapid Response to Trauma: Critical Incident Response programs across provinces like BC and Alberta offer on-site psychological support within days of workplace trauma—normalizing distress and reducing long-term PTSD risks.

2. Access to Timely, Tailored Treatment

When psychological harm does occur, early access to the right support is vital.

Specialized Mental Health Units: Boards in BC, Alberta, and Ontario now have dedicated mental health claims teams, offering expert adjudication and case management from the start.
Trauma-Informed Care Models: Alberta’s Traumatic Psychological Injury (TPI) model connects workers to multidisciplinary teams including psychologists and occupational therapists—delivering personalized recovery plans.
Expanded Treatment Networks: Nova Scotia recently partnered with national providers like Homewood Health to meet rising demand, while Quebec ensures culturally and linguistically appropriate services through CNESST.

Financial support, access to therapy, and early intervention programs ensure workers get help when and where they need it—often before claims are fully adjudicated.

3. Supporting Return-to-Work (RTW): Healing Through Connection

Recovery isn’t complete until a worker is safely reintegrated into the workplace—and the RTW process for mental health requires flexibility and compassion.

Customized RTW Plans: Provinces like PEI offer practical toolkits to help employers tailor accommodations—whether that means reduced hours, modified duties, or quiet spaces.
Dedicated Support Roles: Nova Scotia’s new trauma-informed teams and “navigators” guide workers and employers alike through the return journey.
Ongoing Communication: WCBs stress the importance of checking in with returning workers and preventing stigma—recognizing that psychological healing thrives in respectful, supportive environments.

Evidence shows that staying connected to meaningful work can aid mental recovery, and gradual RTW strategies improve long-term success.

4. Sharing Best Practices: A Nationwide Commitment

Across Canada, a growing culture of collaboration is driving innovation in mental health:

From Legislation to Action: Expanded coverage for PTSD and chronic stress injuries is now the norm—not the exception.
Widespread Crisis Response: Psychological first aid is a standard response after workplace trauma.
Streamlined Claims and Support: Boards are reducing administrative hurdles and offering direct access to counseling and peer support.
Holistic Recovery Models: Integrating treatment with return-to-work planning reflects a modern understanding of mental health recovery.

A Healthier Future for All Workers

Canada’s workers’ compensation community is evolving with empathy and urgency. Whether it’s preventing psychological harm, responding swiftly to trauma, or supporting long-term recovery, the system is adapting to meet the complex needs of today’s workforce.

This transformation isn’t just about better claims outcomes—it’s about dignity, inclusion, and creating a work culture where psychological health is treated with the same importance as physical safety.

As provinces continue to share lessons and refine best practices, the momentum is clear: Canada is building a more compassionate, resilient workforce—one claim, one conversation, and one return-to-work journey at a time.

Download the full report here