B.C. employee survey finds narly half of men score above threshold for probable major depression

Depression is one of the strongest risk factors for suicide, the second leading cause of death for men under 50. The report on men’s mental health in the workplace also found one in three participants experienced thoughts of suicide or self-injury at least a few times a week and 55% reported being lonely, a key risk factor for suicide. The report, led by HeadsUpGuys, a program of UBC, identifies actions employers should implement, including:

• Integrating mental health self-check tools into regular employee check-ins;
• Training for managers / supervisors to identify signs of distress;
• Regularly promoting mental health practices and making resources known to employees; and
• Consistently linking mental health with wellness and safety programs.