This year marks Benefits Canada’s fifth annual Mental Health Issue, an initiative introduced in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic as employers ramped up their focus on this crucial topic.

It hasn’t slowed down since. In fact, I’d argue employers’ attention to creating thoughtful and relevant mental-health resources and support for employees will continue its unremitting advancement. As we put 2025 (arguably the worst year since the pandemic) behind us, it’s clear economic uncertainty will endure, due to the rise of anti-globalization and anti-democratic movements around the world. The focus on mental health isn’t going anywhere.

Read: Head to Head: Are employers responsible for employee mental health in an uncertain economic environment?

Considering the economic environment, this issue’s Head to Head question asked whether employers are responsible for the mental health of employees during the cost-of-living crisis. One of the respondents, McMaster University’s Rebecca Gewurtz, reinforces that it’s more important than ever for employers to continue to invest in employee mental health, as well as psychological health and safety. She touts research that found a significant return on investment in the form of lower turnover,........

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