Canadian workplace mental wellbeing initiative mirrors UK
By Ian Birch
A Canadian initiative to improve the mental wellbeing of employees in the workplace has launched, mirroring similar moves here in the UK.
The Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC) has produced a free action guide, outlining 24 steps to better mental health and available across the country at small, medium and large businesses of all sizes and in all sectors. The free PDF is available below: www.mentalhealthcommission.ca/SiteCollectionDocuments/Workforce/Workforce_Employers_Guide_ENG.pdf
Meanwhile, here in the UK, the Shaw Trust and Mind have produced recent guides to enhancing and protecting the mental health of employees and guides for employers on how they can best protect their workforces from mental distress.
The Shaw Trust has a special website – Tackle Mental Health (www.tacklementalhealth.org.uk) – which tackles what it calls “the last workplace taboo”.
According to the Trust, the latest research conducted with 500 business leaders reveals that whilst understanding amongst employers is broader now than six years ago, major barriers remain in the way of people with mental health conditions seeking employment:
- 40% of employers view workers with mental health conditions as a significant risk.
- 42% of employers are still underestimating the prevalence of mental health in their workplace.
- Given negative perceptions from employers many applicants may feel that it is in their best interest not to disclose their conditions.
- 72% of workplaces still have no formal mental health policy.
You can download a copy of Shaw Trust’s report from the website given above.
Mind has a scheme called “Mind Workplace” which is a consultancy service for employers aimed at improving staff productivity whilst safeguarding their wellbeing.
Mind says that 1 in 6 workers experience depression, anxiety or stress at any one time.
As well as consultancy, Mind Workplace can offer stress audits, coaching for both managers and staff, and provide an on-site training service.
Commenting on the need for workplace wellbeing initiatives, Merv Gilbert, one of the authors of the Canadian report, said:
"We have made significant progress in addressing the impact of physical health and safety in the workplace, now we need to put a similar focus on psychological health. Psychological health concerns have an expanding impact on the safety, productivity and effectiveness of the workplace."
Co-author Dan Blisker added:
"Employers are increasingly identifying the need to promote psychologically healthy and safe workplaces but are asking, 'what can be done?' The Action Guide is based on the latest scientific evidence and professional practices. It provides employers with logical implementation steps and recommendations that are practical, accessible and actionable.”
