October is Healthy Workplace Month

Sep 30, 2024

A healthy workplace promotes physical, mental, and emotional well-being, which in turn drives engagement, reduces absenteeism, and boosts overall job satisfaction.

• 30% of disability claims are related to mental health concerns and mental illness
• 1 in 5 Canadians experience a mental health concern or mental illness each year
• 11% of Canadians report missing days of work or school due to mental health concerns

Studies consistently show that employees with good mental health are more productive, engaged, and loyal. In contrast, poor mental health can lead to absenteeism, high turnover, and decreased morale. Despite the statistics, 70% of businesses in Canada do not have a mental health strategy in place. By prioritizing mental wellness, organizations can cultivate a positive, adaptable workforce, and reduce these costs significantly.

Understanding the signs that someone may be struggling with their mental health is key. These signs could include a change in performance, withdrawal from social interactions or team activities, increased absenteeism, difficulty concentrating, irritability or feelings of hopelessness. It’s crucial that leaders approach these situations with empathy and provide a supportive space for employees to share their experiences.  Additionally, leaders are not immune to mental health struggles. Business leaders should prioritize their own well-being by practicing self-care and seeking help when needed.

Businesses at the beginning of their journey to support mental health can often feel overwhelmed with understanding of what to do and where to start. There are some simply ways to start changing the culture and understanding of mental health. This could include creating a work culture that emphasizes flexibility, work-life balance, regular check-ins to gauge employee satisfaction and stress levels, sharing the resources available to employees whether that is an Employee and Family Assistance Program or the local mental health support and crisis numbers, such as Here 24/7 in Waterloo Wellington. Additionally, wellness apps or virtual therapy platforms can offer accessible mental health support at lower costs.

The inclusion of mental health training for managers and staff into onboarding or regular skill development helps to decrease stigma, while fostering an environment where employees feel safe to discuss their mental health and leaders are comfortable offering the proper assistance.   Investing in mental health training for managers, such as workshops or webinars, can equip them with the tools to recognize and address mental health concerns.

Employees who are engaged at their workplace feel a greater sense of connection.  One way to do this is to encourage employees to sign-up for the Push-up Challenge. The Push-Up Challenge is a unique and fun way for organizations to encourage better mental health and well-being for employees through physical activity, connection and mental health education. It’s free for your entire workplace to participate in the Challenge as a Team or Community (a collection of Teams), with access to your own stats, leaderboards, shared fundraising goals and more:

Mental health support should be continuous. Mental well-being isn’t something that can be addressed once and forgotten. By investing in long-term solutions, such as building a supportive and inclusive workplace culture and providing resources that evolve with the needs of your employees, you’ll ensure that both employees and leaders can thrive mentally, emotionally, and professionally.

By prioritizing mental health, businesses not only improve their employees’ well-being but also foster a stronger, more engaged, and productive workforce.

Looking for help to develop your psychological health and safety and mental well-being programs? CMHA Waterloo Wellington can help!