Half of Toronto-area workers have faced mental-health issues: survey

“This is one of the defining public health issues of our time, one that is increasingly impacting our personal health and our economic potential as a region,” said Sevaun Palvetzian, chief executive officer of CivicAction. “Our mental health touches every part of our lives, including our workplaces, so to change the culture at work will improve the overall quality of life in the GTHA.”

Read more: GE Canada enters third stage of mental health strategy

The study found:

• 25 per cent of employees with high stress are more likely to report taking a mental health-related absence;
• One in two employees have experienced a mental-health issue;
• Mental-health disorders have been a key driver of short-term disability claims in the past few years;
• 42 per cent of employees say the top priority is “managers knowing what to do” when someone shows signs of distress;
• 71 per cent of employees are concerned about negative stigma around mental health at work.

Read more: How employers can address mental health issues

CivicAction and 30 organizations have formed what they call the Champions Council aimed at providing a better workplace environment for people struggling with mental-health issues.

“The social case is there and the business case is clear with 82 per cent of those who report mental health issues saying it impacts their work,” said Rupert Duchesne, co-chairman of the council. “It’s time to move on this issue and step up as businesses and as individuals.”

CivicAction suggests a number of ways employers can support mental well-being:

1. Learning more about the national standard of Canada for psychological health and safety in the workplace.
2. Encouraging executives to talk openly about mental health.
3. Training managers and employees on how to recognize a behaviour change and how to respond.
4. Offering and promoting an employee and family assistance program.

Read more: Attitudes about mental health at work mixed