By Ms. Sue Newton, MN, RN and Ms. Paige Abbott, R.Psych.
Some interesting statistics that put the role of stress, mental health, and addiction in the workplace in perspective…
- According to the Centers for Disease control and Prevention (2012), nearly 1 out of 2 Americans suffer from a chronic disease
- The most common behaviors that lead to chronic disease are tobacco use, lack of physical activity, poor eating habits and excessive alcohol consumption
- In 2012, 61% of worldwide deaths were caused by chronic disease *The projected global economic toll of non-communicable diseases (mainly cancer, mental health disorders, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases) over the next 2 decades is $47 trillion
- The annual cost to Canadian companies due to stress-related disorders is $12 billion
- Absenteeism due to stress/mental health/addiction has increased by over 300% since 1995
- An April 2012 report by the Mental Health Commission of Canada said that mental health problems account for about 30% of short and long term disability claims.
What does this all mean?
- It is debatable whether on the job stress has increased over time. Rather, what has changed is people’s openness and willingness to talk about their challenges and take time off, if needed
- That acute stress (i.e., a reaction to a challenging event or situation) can become chronic if it is not processed
- There is still stigma related to Addiction, which is an undercurrent of a lot of reports of stress and some mental health challenges
- People can benefit from the tools of holistic recovery-taking care of their physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs
