Needs Assessment of Workplace Mental Health: Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Background Mental health conditions are a leading cause of workplace disability. The recent COVID-19 pandemic impacted organizations and the working population globally and resulted in widespread organizational changes. In this context, the primary objectives of this study were 1) to gain deeper insights into employers’ perceptions of the alterations in workplace mental health (WMH) and stigma during the pandemic, and 2) to better understand the current needs of local workplaces regarding WMH. Methods Two cross-sectional studies were conducted through online surveys of employer representatives in the City of Thunder Bay and District located in Northwestern Ontario, Canada. The online pre-pandemic survey was available between April 2018 and July 2018. A different set of employer respondents completed the post-pandemic survey between November 2022 and March 2023. The results of these two cross-sectional surveys were compared to understand employer perspectives on WMH and stigma at the community level, and changes in need for interventions. Results There were 78 and 71 participants in pre-and post-pandemic surveys respectively. Most were female, employed in upper and middle management, and were working for more than 10 years in their current workplace. Overall, post-pandemic survey respondents mentioned poorer mental health compared to the pre-pandemic sample. WMH was a higher priority in organizations who participated after the pandemic than before, with 25% of workplaces ranking it as the top priority post-pandemic. Most of the participants (61%) in the pre-pandemic sample were interested in strategies for promoting and preventing mental health concerns, whereas 62% of the post-pandemic respondents exhibited an interest in knowing about strategies for managing chronic stress and burnout. In the post-pandemic group, online resources became a more popular means of acquiring knowledge on WMH. However, both the pre-and post-pandemic samples exhibited a lack of knowledge on the legal aspects of WMH. Conclusions The study provides insight into the WMH needs of employers pre- and post-pandemic. As we move forward, it is imperative that organizations continue to prioritize WMH, provide ongoing efforts to destigmatize mental health issues, foster a culture of open communication, and invest in employee support systems.