Every week, at least 500,000 Canadians miss work due to mental illness, leading to an estimated annual economic cost of $51 billion (Source). That’s not just an individual struggle—it’s a major financial strain on businesses nationwide. Proactive mental health support is crucial in addressing this growing issue. And if you think your business is immune, think again.”

Absenteeism, burnout, high turnover—mental health challenges affect every level of an organization. Employees can’t simply leave their stress at the door; it affects their focus, performance, and ultimately, your company’s bottom line. Yet, despite growing awareness, many employers still treat mental health as an afterthought, addressing it only when it escalates into a crisis. That reactive approach is expensive and unsustainable. 

The good news? You don’t need to be a mental health expert to build a workplace that supports employees—you just need the right strategy and the right partners. That’s where we come in. Let’s break down why mental health is one of the biggest costs for employers—and how Navigate can help make solutions easier and more effective. 

The Hidden Costs of Mental Health Issues in the Workplace 

When we think of costly chronic conditions, diabetes and heart disease often come to mind. But mental health conditions—depression, anxiety, and stress-related disorders—quietly top the list. Why? Because their effects ripple through every aspect of your business. 

Absenteeism & Presenteeism: Employees struggling with mental health take more sick days. But even when they show up, they may not be fully productive. 

Turnover & Recruitment Costs: Burnout is a key driver of employee turnover, and replacing a single employee can cost anywhere from 50% to 200% of their salary. 

Healthcare & Disability Claims: Mental health-related disability claims are on the rise, and they last longer than claims for physical illnesses, leading to higher costs for employers. 

Proactive mental health support isn’t just a people issue—it’s a financial one. While traditional benefits cover physical conditions like heart disease or diabetes, mental health remains underfunded. Many plans lack coverage for essential practitioner costs, leaving employees without proper support. This gap fuels absences, burnout, and lost productivity. The right plan helps your team while keeping costs in check.

How Navigate Can Help You Take Action 

Proactive mental health support in the workplace doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With Navigate, you have a partner who helps to make sense of your benefit plan, ensures your coverage actually meets your employees’ needs, and keeps you on track with the latest best practices.

1. Strengthen Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs)

EAPs can provide immediate, confidential mental health support, and with proper education, employees can easily access these resources when needed—often doubling their mental health coverage without impacting premiums. 

With Navigate, we’ll help you: 

• Review your EAP structure to ensure it includes meaningful support. 
• Communicate benefits clearly so employees understand how to access them. 
• Explore virtual therapy options to improve accessibility. 

2. Improve Mental Health Coverage in Your Benefits Plan

Many benefits plans fall short when it comes to mental health. Whether they cover too few therapy sessions, restrict provider options, or have outdated limits, these gaps leave employees without enough support when they need it most. 

Working with Navigate means: 

• Considering independent and higher maximums for mental health practitioners.
• Offering a diverse network of mental health professionals to meet various needs.
• Providing multiple access options for mental health support.
• Identifying flexible benefits solutions, like Health Spending Accounts (HSAs), that allow employees to direct funds where they need them most. 

👉Click here for more on how you can support employees’ mental health in the workplace. This is a growing trend in 2025, and many employers are already taking action.

3. Support Employees on Disability Leave

When employees take leave for mental health reasons, how their claim is managed can make all the difference in their recovery—and in your long-term costs. 

Navigate helps businesses: 

• Review disability claims costs and prevention measures within the plan. 
• Identify gaps in disability coverage that could leave employees vulnerable. 
• Work with insurers to help ensure your plan is structured to support both your employees and your bottom line. 

The Bottom Line: Proactive Mental Health Support Pays Off 

Proactive mental health support isn’t just about reducing costs—it’s about investing in a workplace where employees feel supported and stay engaged long-term. Businesses that take a proactive approach see lower turnover, better performance, and a healthier workforce overall. 

If you’re not sure whether your benefits plan is doing enough, that’s where we come in. At Navigate, we help businesses review their options, identify gaps, and make changes that work for both the company and its employees. Sometimes, small adjustments—like increasing mental health coverage or optimizing an EAP—can make a big impact. 

Mental health challenges aren’t going away, but your approach to them can evolve. With the right support, your business can create a workplace that values both productivity and well-being—and we’ll be here to help every step of the way.