MHRC-Mitacs-iA Workplace Mental Health Fellowship

Skilled trades workers could face many challenges like anxiety, stress, discrimination, long working hours and heavy workloads, which can harm their work performance and well-being. Despite the growing diversity in the Canadian skilled trades workforce, women remain underrepresented, particularly in electrical work, while the prevalence of disabilities among these workers is largely unknown. There’s limited research in Canada on the mental health of skilled trades workers with disabilities and from diverse backgrounds, including women and visible minorities. Very few research in Canada focusing on the mental health of electrical, plumbing and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) workers with disabilities and from diverse backgrounds, such as women and visible minorities. To fill this gap, this research will first use surveys to evaluate these workers’ mental health status, and then, will use interviews to learn more about their experiences and struggles. Research findings could inform policies to improve their work environment and culture and provide more support for diverse groups of workers. The applicant will work with the Ontario Electrical League (OEL) and the Mental Health Research Canada (MHRC) to carry out this research. Research results could support the development of strategies to enhance the experiences and occupational health of skilled trades workers and offer evidence-based insights for addressing mental health crises among individuals from diverse backgrounds. Through this collaboration, I hope to encourage more workers to enter skilled trade positions. Moreover, it aims to provide tailored recommendations for improving mental health services specifically for skilled trades workers from minority groups.

Faculty Supervisor:

Behdin Nowrouzi-Kia

Student:

Partner:

The Ontario Electrical League;Mental Health Research Canada

Discipline:

Sociology

Sector:

Other services (except public administration); Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

University of Toronto

Program: