Improving workplace mental health Submitted by the Canadian Mental Health Association, Alberta Division
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orking is an important part of a person’s mental well-being because it provides people the opportunity to feel productive and contribute to their community. Responsible employers provide a physically safe environment for employees — but what about their psychological safety? Every workplace has psychological risks that impact the productivity, turnover and economic costs to their organization. Workplaces can be stressful and contribute to mental health problems and illnesses. Adults in Alberta spend more of their waking hours at work than anywhere else, which is why organizations addressing mental health at work is so important (Mental Health Commission of Canada, 2021). According to the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC), 70 per cent of Canadian employees are concerned about the psychological health and safety of their workplace, and about 30 per cent of short- and long-term disability claims are attributed to mental health problems and illnesses (2021). For the Canadian economy, those statistics account for a staggering cost of $50 billion annually. Supporting employee mental health can improve productivity, cut down on absences, and increase employee retention. It can be a complex task, but the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), Alberta Division is here to
help. For more than 60 years, CMHA in Alberta has focused on recovery and support for Albertans impacted by mental illness. The organization stands with Albertans within their communities as they achieve their wellness goals. CMHA works to increase and enhance individuals’, groups’ and communities’ control over their mental health. Whether you work in health care, hospitality, construction, trades, public service, finance, law, education, non-profit, union work, community organizing, consulting, or anywhere in between, CMHA, Alberta Division has a suite of workplace mental health training opportunities to assist your organization with becoming a psychologically healthy and more productive place to work. CMHA workplace mental health training opportunities include: •W orking Stronger Workplace Mental Health Conference – An annual workplace mental health conference designed to improve employee mental health in Alberta workplaces. Working Stronger features keynote speakers, workshops, panels, presentations, training opportunities and exhibits. •C ertified Psychological Health and Safety Training – For individuals who want to help organizations improve psychological health and safety in their workplaces. This certification has been developed to provide an experiential learning opportunity
for participants so they can better support organizations of all sizes. • Leading with Mental Health in Mind Workshop – Equip formal and informal leaders with the language to talk about mental health, the understanding to support employees with challenges and the steps to move towards greater psychological health and safety in the workplace. • Mental Health Keynote Presentation – A high-level, basic introduction to workplace mental health. It provides employers and employees with tools and resources for mental health awareness and responses to common mental health issues. • Compassion Fatigue Training – Allows participants to be able to recognize the symptoms and effects of compassion fatigue, manage stress in a more effective way and create a personal self-care plan. • Mental Health and the Workplace Training – Provides organizations with the language to talk about mental health, the understanding to support employees with challenges, and the steps to move towards greater psychological health and safety in the workplace. If you are interested in learning more about workplace training opportunities visit workingstronger.cmha.ca for more information. n Alberta School Counsellor / Spring 2022 21
