Mental health is not simply an individual responsibility: it’s a society-wide issue and a workplace issue. Awareness is the first step in facing and addressing it.
Unions Can Help
Union stewards are, over the years, getting more and better training regarding mental health hazards at work, and on accessing treatment. Unions are creating resources on addressing and mitigating mental Health Hazards at work: Harassment, long hours, and other hazards surround us in many workplaces.
Last year The PSAC and Treasury Board completed and released a joint study on Mental health Support Mechanisms for Employees. The report is quite comprehensive. Though it is explicitly addressed to the federal public service, most of the issues and responses identified in the report apply to almost any workplace.
You can get Informed and Involved
Naturally mental health is critical every day, but today is a great day to start if you want to be a part of protecting and caring for your co-workers. the Canadian Mental Health Association has several resources to help you learn about mental health issues generally, and to find some jumping-off points for discussions.
Urgent Resources
And if you’re in crisis right now, please reach out for help:
- if you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 9-1-1
- if you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, call 9-8-8
- there are crisis lines available for anyone experiencing family or gender-based violence
- for services on a non-emergency basis, please see this list of resources
Your co-workers need you, and need you well.
