The cost of mental illness in the workplace

Mental illnesses are costing Canada about $20.7 billion in 2012 by reducing the number of workers available in the labour force, according to a report from The Conference Board of Canada. Mental Health Issues in the Labour Force: Reducing the Economic Impact on Canada measures the costs to Canada's economy of lost labour market participation from the six most common conditions afflicting the working-age population. They are: depression, dysthymia (low-grade depression), bipolar disorder, social phobia, panic disorder, and agoraphobia (fear of being outside).