Relief Research Chair in Mental Health, Self-Management and Work Nurturing a healthy work environment

Did you know that mental health issues, whether work-related or personal, have a significant impact on workplace wellness. Our commitment to scientific research and practical interventions aims to promote the overall well-being of Canadian workers.

We’re taking action
Mental health comes first

Mental health challenges can affect each of us at any time. At Beneva, we’re committed to supporting our members and our community. We believe in the importance of fostering a healthy workplace culture and putting the well-being of the community at the heart of our mutualist values.

That’s why we are proud to have financially contributed to the creation of the Relief Research Chair in Mental Health, Self-Management and Work, powered by Beneva.

Breaking taboos

Did you know?

  • +64%
    increase in anxiety cases in Canada: going from 7% before the pandemic to 23% during and 11% after1
  • 22.5%
    of adults and 76.7% of young Canadians ages 16 to 35 have an anxiety disorder2
  • 500,000
    people in Canada miss work each week due to health problems or mental health issues3

Why is it important for you?

    Employee well-being

    Knowing that 50% of workers in small businesses face mental health issues makes it imperative to promote a healthy work environment. And offering support such as an employee assistance program starts to make a lot of sense.4

    Psychosocial safety

    Only 25% of employees report feeling a high level of psychosocial safety in their company. Yet that’s the environment needed to ensure a healthy psychosocial balance.

    Supporting leaders too

    More than half of managers are also affected by stress, anxiety, insomnia and professional burnout, and have more and more trouble signing off from work.5 Recognizing their vulnerability is the first step to finding impactful solutions.

We invest seriously We make solid commitments to deal with major challenges

Our investment

Aware of mental health needs and our role in the community, we have invested 1 million dollars over 5 years.

This massive investment in research shows our commitment to finding effective data-driven solutions. Through the Chair, we engage in research, networking and knowledge-sharing activities aimed at developing practical solutions to promote self-management and mental health, for the benefit of workers, their families and their companies.

Our partners

The Mental Health Research Chair is the result of a unique collaboration between Université Laval, a renowned academic institution, and Beneva.

Simon Coulombe, Ph.D., holds the Relief Research Chair and is an associate professor in the Department of Industrial Relations at Université Laval. With a doctorate in community psychology and a career devoted to the study of well-being and mental health, he contributes invaluable expertise and brings immense credibility to this partnership.

Areas of research

The Research Chair focuses on four key interconnected areas to improve mental health in the working world.

  1. The individual and self-management
  2. Work and its meaning
  3. Technology and mental health
  4. Interventions and training

More about areas of research

Our potential impact

By relying on data from specific Canadian research, we have an unprecedented opportunity to identify the key challenges facing workers. The goal is to develop solutions to support mental health in the companies where they work.

By collecting previously unpublished data from a large portion of Canadian workers, we show our commitment to providing organizations with personalized service.

Together, we’re leading the way to concrete solutions, putting mental health in the workplace at the forefront of our shared concerns.

Start the discussion

Dive into our content

    Web series
    Well-being of immigrant workers

    In the first episode of our web series on mental health in the workplace, we’ll explore the challenges that immigrants face and how to limit the impacts. We’ll offer companies potential solutions as well as practical recommendations based on action research.

    Watch the video

    Insight report
    Addressing psychosocial risks to achieve lasting results

    Beneva recommends simple, concrete solutions that small- and medium-sized businesses can implement to address psychosocial risks and foster a healthy, caring and productive workplace.

    Consult full report

    Webinar
    Small business special report: group insurance and mental health

    Thanks to the Relief Research Chair, learn about the significant benefits of the EAP, MAP and telemedicine for overall health, as well as mental health trends in Canadian small businesses.

    Watch webinar

    Podcast
    Understanding anxiety

    Immerse yourself in the second part of the podcast chat with Simon Coulombe, who holds the Relief Research Chair, and explore an inspiring approach: positive mental health.

    Listen to episode

    Podcast
    Mental health through shared responsibility (CRRSMAT)

    Fostering mental health in the workplace is everyone’s business. Discover supportive practices that employers can implement and self-management tips for employees.

    Listen to episode

    Article
    Managers and professional burnout

    The Relief Research Chair, powered by Beneva, conducted a survey on the mental health of managers. It offers solutions to promote their well-being at work.

    Read article

    Reference tool
    Connecting the dots: our health report

    Connecting the Dots explores how shifts in group insurance claims reveal underlying health patterns, offering insight into the factors shaping plan usage. This is key to finding innovative solutions to ensure plan sustainability.

    Discover the report

Our support programs for organizational health

See our programs

We are the 5th largest group insurer in Canada.

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