Mental Health & Safety
The Impact of Mental Health on Workplace Safety — And Why It Matters
Mental health is a foundational component of a safe workplace, yet it remains one of the most overlooked aspects of safety culture. Emotional struggles can affect anyone, regardless of industry, role, or gender. Addressing mental health isn’t just compassionate—it’s critical to protecting lives and sustaining safe, productive workplaces.
According to the World Health Organization, suicide claims the lives of more than 800,000 people each year. While underreporting remains an issue due to the sensitivity and complexity of the topic, the data is clear: mental health struggles are common and can escalate when left unaddressed. Industries such as oil and gas, construction, and healthcare—which make up a significant part of Level Up Safety Technology's client base—have some of the highest rates of stress-related injuries and suicides. This crisis deserves our collective attention. Safety Comes First
The Impact of Mental Health on Workplace Safety — And Why It Matters
Research shows that mental health challenges are more prevalent in precarious work environments. Workers in temporary, high-stress, or isolated roles are 2.4 times more likely to experience mental health struggles than those in stable, full-time positions. Unfortunately, many of these roles are also linked to increased safety incidents, lower morale, and reduced productivity.
In some tragic cases, workplace factors such as bullying, overwork, or toxic culture have contributed to fatalities. For example, a 2017 case in Saskatchewan saw a worker take his own life following prolonged bullying. The employer was later ordered to compensate the family, highlighting that companies have both a legal and moral duty to protect their workers' well-being.
Workplace mental health is not just a human issue; it is a risk management issue. Employers must ensure they take "reasonable steps" to prevent foreseeable harm—including psychological harm. Failure to do so can result in legal consequences, operational disruptions, and reputational damage.
Risk Factors That Can Be Addressed
Fatigue and Shift Work: Inconsistent schedules and long hours contribute to burnout and impaired decision-making.
Isolation and Work Camps: Prolonged time away from family and community can increase feelings of loneliness and depression.
Layoffs and Job Insecurity: Poor communication around terminations can have devastating emotional consequences.
Toxic Culture: Environments where bullying, harassment, or fear are present can significantly impact mental health.
Workplaces need to move beyond simply offering generic employee assistance programs. Managers and teams must foster a culture where mental health is openly discussed, and where proactive support—not punishment—is the response to emotional distress.
The Role of Safety Technology
Technology can play a powerful role in enhancing mental health support in the workplace. At Level Up Safety Technology, our tools are designed to keep workers connected, monitored, and supported—no matter how remote or demanding their job may be.
Automated Check-Ins ensure that workers remain connected and safe, especially in isolated environments.
Fatigue Monitoring and Alerts can help identify early signs of burnout or impairment.
Incident Management Systems help organizations respond quickly and empathetically when something goes wrong.
Accessible Policies and Resources stored in digital platforms empower employees to find help when they need it.
We believe that supporting both the physical and emotional well-being of workers is essential to building a resilient and safe organization.
What Companies Can Do Today
Train managers to recognize signs of distress and respond with empathy.
Encourage peer check-ins and create opportunities for real connection.
Design crisis response plans that account for mental health emergencies.
Provide flexible accommodation and normalize time off for stress and burnout.
Use data and technology to identify trends, prevent risks, and measure improvement.
By promoting balance, safety, and transparency, businesses can reduce stigma and foster a culture where people feel safe to speak up.
You're Not Alone
We recognize how deeply mental health impacts the safety and success of your team. If you or someone you know is struggling, please don’t hesitate to reach out:
Call or text 9-8-8 – Suicide Crisis Helpline (Canada)
Call 1-877-303-2642 – Alberta Mental Health Helpline
Visit: https://suicideprevention.ca
If you'd like to support this cause, consider donating to a mental health organization linked at the bottom of this article.
At Level Up Safety Technology, our mission is to protect lives. That means showing up for the mental health of your workers just as much as their physical safety. Together, we can create safer, more supportive workplaces for everyone.
