Denver, April 30, 2025 — As organizations across industries seek innovative, cost-effective ways to mitigate risk, employers are increasingly recognizing the connections between physical injuries, mental health, and emotional well-being. Emotional Ergonomics: How the Intersection of Industrial Ergonomics, Pain, and Mental Health Shapes Worker Well-Being—a new white paper developed by DORN and its partners—explores how traditional workplace ergonomics intersect with mental health challenges such as work-related stress, burnout, depression, and anxiety. This convergence offers powerful insights into comprehensive risk solutions that address the full scope of the worker experience.
The white paper draws on the combined expertise of DORN’s seasoned ergonomists and pain relief specialists, in collaboration with Dr. Sally Spencer-Thomas and MINES and Associates—organizations with decades of experience exploring the emergence of mental health challenges in today’s work environments. The research advocates for an integrated approach that acknowledges the intricate relationships between conventional safety issues like physical injury risk, chronic pain, and fatigue, and psychosocial factors such as overwork, volatile environments, and prevalent mental health conditions.
Critical Findings:
- Mental health issues are increasingly common in today’s workplaces. Data indicate that stress, depression, anxiety, and burnout are affecting significant portions of today’s workforce.
- Physical injury risks, chronic pain, and fatigue increase mental and emotional strain. Workers suffering from pain and discomfort are three times more likely to experience anxiety or depression.
- Technology, education, and workplace culture hold great promise in tackling these issues. Holistic wellness programs that focus on education, accountability, and the use of modern technology to augment traditional interventions are more effective at mitigating psychological risk than traditional ergonomics alone.
“Addressing industrial ergonomics without considering emotional well-being is an incomplete strategy. The most forward-thinking companies recognize that true injury prevention must integrate both.” — Kevin Lombardo, CEO, DORN Companies
This white paper compiles recent data on workplace mental health and risk trends, revealing the complex factors that contribute to both emotional strain and physical injuries. It also outlines detailed, actionable recommendations for today’s safety leaders, offering solutions such as enhanced ergonomic assessments, improved mental health support systems, cultural interventions, and emerging technologies that provide cost-effective ways to build resilient workforces and supportive work environments.
Download the complete white paper — Emotional Ergonomics: How the Intersection of Industrial Ergonomics, Pain, and Mental Health Shapes Worker Well-Being — here, and register for a live webinar on April 21 to see a presentation of the paper’s findings.
Read the full press release here.
DORN is a leading global provider of injury prevention and ergonomic solutions, with over 25 years of expertise across the USA and in more than 50 countries worldwide. We specialize in comprehensive on-site and virtual training, ergonomic assessments, cutting-edge technology, and wellness programs—rooted in the Total Worker Health approach.
For more information about DORN, visit www.dorncompanies.com.
About United Suicide Survivors International
United Suicide Survivors International (United Survivors) is a social impact organization amplifying the voices of those with lived experience of suicide—attempt and loss survivors, caregivers, and impacted communities—to drive meaningful change in prevention and postvention. Through advocacy, education, and partnerships, United Survivors fosters innovation, reduces stigma, and promotes healing. As the host of the Workplace Suicide Prevention and Postvention Committee, United Survivors leads initiatives like the National Guidelines for Workplace Suicide Prevention and the H.O.P.E. Certification (Helping Our People Elevate) Worker Wellbeing Program, equipping organizations with tools to create mentally healthy, suicide-safe workplaces.
Learn more at unitesurvivors.com and sallyspencerthomas.com
About MINES and Associates, Inc.
MINES is an international business psychology firm operating across all 50 states and 43 countries. Comprising two key divisions—health psychology and organizational psychology—MINES has been a leader in its field since 1981. MINES’ award-winning offerings encompass a comprehensive range of solutions, including employee assistance programs, managed behavioral healthcare, onsite behavioral healthcare, organizational development, wellness programs, behavioral risk and disease management, specialty behavioral health PPO services, and other behavioral health initiatives.
For more information about MINES and Associates, visit www.minesandassociates.com.
