Employee Assistance and Mental Health Programs

EAP Usage Statistics in Canada

Whether you’re benchmarking, planning promotion, or building a business case, these evidence-based insights can help you understand how Canadians access and perceive Employee Assistance Programs.

Limited Coverage: Only 33% of Canadians report having access to EAP companies. either through their own employer or via someone in their household, revealing significant coverage gaps nationwide [1].
Modest Utilization Rates: Utilization tends to be low, a study found usage averaging just around 11% in Canada, despite widespread availability [2].
- A broader analysis showed utilization rates ranging from 2.5% to 29.3% [3].‍‍
‍Low Awareness: Approximately 40% of workers in Canada don’t know what an EAP is or what it offers [4].‍
- 34% don’t know what it covers‍
- 23% worry about confidentiality‍
- 21% don’t know how to access the service

Top EAP Providers in Canada

Choosing the right employee assistance program providers can make a measurable impact on employee wellbeing and organizational health. Below is a comparison of four standout eap service providers in Canada, each offering unique strengths tailored to different business needs.

Provider Name	Key Services	Unique Selling Points	Pricing Model
LifeWorks (TELUS Health)	✓ Counselling ✓ Work-Life Support ✓ Legal & Financial	Global Reach Multilingual Platform 24/7 Support	Per-Employee Monthly
Homewood Health	✓ Clinical Counselling ✓ Trauma Services	Deep Clinical Expertise National Clinic Network	Custom Pricing
TELUS Health (LifeWorks)	✓ 24/7 Access ✓ CBT Tools	Digital-First, Part Of TELUS Health Ecosystem	PEPM
Dialogue	✓ Virtual Care ✓ iCBT Support	Fast Access App-Based Platform Scalable	PEPM

1. LifeWorks (TELUS Health)

LifeWorks, now part of TELUS Health, is one of the largest EAP vendors in Canada and globally. Ideal for mid-sized to enterprise organizations, it offers a full suite of digital and in-person support services.

Provider Information

Criteria	Detail
Provider Name	LifeWorks (TELUS Health)
Key Service	Counselling Legal Support
Unique Selling Point	Global reach, multilingual
Pricing Model	PEPM

Key Services

24/7 confidential counselling

Financial, legal, and family support services

Manager and HR consulting tools

Interactive mobile app for self-help resources

Unique Selling Points

Multilingual access and global capabilities

Advanced analytics for HR teams

Strong integration with wellbeing strategies

Pricing Structure

Per-employee, per-month (PEPM) with scalable tiers

2. Homewood Health

Homewood Health stands out for its clinical depth and broad national reach. It is a go-to provider for organizations in high-stress industries or with complex psychological health needs.

Criteria	Detail
Provider Name	Homewood Health
Key Service	Trauma Care Addiction Recovery
Unique Selling Point	Clinical depth National presence
Pricing Model	Custom

Key Services

Trauma-informed counselling

Specialized addiction and recovery programs

In-patient and outpatient clinic access

Executive coaching and leadership support

Unique Selling Points

Owns and operates accredited clinics in Canada

High-acuity care and crisis intervention

Strong track record in return-to-work success

Pricing Structure

Custom pricing based on organization size, industry, and services

3. TELUS Health (including LifeWorks)

TELUS Health offers an EAP that combines mental health support with work/life services for employees and families. It also integrates the LifeWorks platform acquired in 2022.

Criteria	Detail
Provider Name	TELUS Health (LifeWorks)
Key Service	24/7 Access CBT Tools
Unique Selling Point	Digital-first National Reach
Pricing Model	PEPM

Key Services

24/7 access to mental health professionals

Digital and face‑to‑face counseling

Assistance with elder/child care, nutrition, etc.

Unique Selling Points

Fully digital-first experience with multilingual support across Canada

Holistic workplace outcome reporting and analytics

Pricing Structure

Typically subscription‑based per‑employee per‑month (PEPM), with scalable tiers.

4. Dialogue

‍Dialogue is one of Canada’s leading digital-first EAP companies, offering fast, accessible mental health and well-being support through its integrated virtual care platform. It’s a strong choice for modern organizations looking for scalable, tech-driven employee assistance programs.

Criteria	Detail
Provider Name	Dialogue
Key Service	Virtual Care iCBT Support
Unique Selling Point	App-based Access Fast Response
Pricing Model	PEPM

Key Services

Virtual, phone, or in-person counselling within 24hrs

Support in mental health, career, legal, financial, family, substance use

Unique Selling Points

High adoption via app-based access

Dedicated team with consistent follow-up Integrated Mental

Health+ and Primary Care modules

Pricing Structure

Subscription PEPM, often bundled with broader health platforms.

How to Choose the Right EAP Provider in Canada

Selecting the right employee assistance program provider depends on several organizational factors, starting with a deep understanding of your employee needs and challenges. Here’s what HR leaders should consider:

Company Size: Larger organizations may need scalable, global EAPs like Meditopia. Smaller companies may not care much about the languages available, but rather the content scope.

Industry Needs: High-stress industries (healthcare, tech, first responders) might require providers with trauma and clinical support, like Homewood Health.

Workforce Diversity: Ensure the provider offers multilingual support and cultural competence, critical in Canada’s diverse labour force.

Digital vs. In-person: Evaluate if your workforce prefers digital-first (Inkblot, Meditopia) or a mix of in-person and online services.

Pricing & ROI: Consider whether you’re looking for cheap alternatives or more comprehensive, premium offerings with detailed ROI tracking.

Book a Consult With Your Benefits Advisor Today!

Sources

[1] Mental Health Research Canada (MHRC)
Benefits and Employee Assistance Program Access and Use

[2] Outreach Canada
Workplace Chaplaincy: The Canadian Workplace Situation

[3] ResearchGate
Canadian EAP Utilization Rates

[4] TELUS Health (Mental Health Index Press Release)
TELUS Mental Health Index reveals two‑in‑five workers in Canada do not know what an Employee Assistance Program is

Employee Assistance and Mental Health Programs