Mental health is becoming increasingly prevalent on the job, which is why WorkSafe Saskatchewan is teaming up with employers to provide them with necessary information on the matter.

This comes after a sharp increase of 142 per cent in mental health claims to the Workers’ Compensation Board between 2016 and 2018.

Around 350 business leaders and human resources managers took in a one-day learning event in Regina earlier this week where they heard from mental health experts on the role mental health plays in their workplace.

Workers’ Compensation Board spokesperson Kevin Mooney said the increase in claims requires more workplaces to be equipped on how to manage mental health issues.

“We’ve seen the stats where one in five working Canadians will struggle with mental health at some point in their work life,” he explained. “We want to provide the skills and tools for employers to effectively deal with it.”

He also stressed that sharing information is key when tackling such a difficult topic, and he’s glad so many companies are beginning to take the issue of mental health in the workplace seriously.

With the release of the workplace fatalities and serious injuries strategy on Monday, Mooney thinks people can expect to see mental health play a major role.

“Slowly but surely, the stigma is being broke down where people are becoming more comfortable talking about mental health,” said Mooney. “I think we’re on the right track.”