Many psychologists are unhappy with employee assistance programs in Quebec, according to a new survey by the Quebec psychologists association. The survey by l’association des psychologues du Québec, which polled more than 500 psychologists in the province, found many respondents believe conditions have “seriously deteriorated” over the past few years. In particular, respondents were critical of low fees, failure to […]
SSQ Life Insurance Co. Inc. is aiming to increase peer support in the workplace with a new service launched this week. The service, MyAlly, is available to employers offering SSQ’s group benefits plans. The idea behind the program is to have peers act as trained mental-health supporters in the workplace by listening to co-workers who might be going through […]
Once simply considered a dismissive solution to life’s woes, “just walk it off” can become a message with a proactive purpose, as well as a way to resolve conflict in the workplace. A benefit to both physical and mental health, walking is ideal for any fitness and commitment level. Employers would be wise to promote […]
The majority of Canadian employers intend to prioritize the improvement of workplace mental health over the next three years to help manage ballooning costs, according to a new survey by Willis Towers Watson. Most of the 150 survey respondents indicated that mental-health issues generate major costs to their organization, largely due to disability, absenteeism, loss of productivity and costs […]
With some Canadians still reluctant to talk about mental-health issues, should employers include internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy as a way to facilitate access to psychological services? For employees already nervous about admitting their mental-health challenges in a workplace setting, accessing cognitive behavioural therapy online could provide a degree of anonymity that would help them make […]
As employees continue to seek new ways of accessing and using their benefits plans, a new study is aiming to further the development of one of the latest options, internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy. This month, the University of Regina partnered with the Co-operators Group Ltd. to launch a year-long study on the benefits and challenges […]
Should antidepressants be the first course of treatment for mild to moderate depression? Not necessarily, said Peter Gove, innovation leader for health management at Green Shield Canada, during the 2017 Healthy Outcomes conference in June. “Everyone experiences sadness from time to time. It’s normal,” he said. “Sadness is often a temporary reaction to difficult life […]
With mental-health issues reaching crisis levels in Canadian workplaces, employers have options to address the situation as a driver of claims and absences, participants at Benefits Canada’s Healthy Outcomes conference heard. “There is a mental-health crisis in our workplaces,” said Judith Plotkin, vice-president of growth and strategy at the ReedGroup. “This week alone, 500,000 Canadians […]
Sun Life Financial will be offering plan members on short- and long-term disability leave for depression or anxiety the chance to take part in a study on the impact of pharmacogenetic testing. The insurer is participating in a study that examines the effectiveness of the technology in partnership with the Centre for Addiction and Mental […]
With mental health as an aspect of workplace disability on the rise in the electricity sector, Electricity Human Resources Canada has introduced an online portal to highlight the importance of accommodating employees with both mental and physical disabilities. “We know we need more workers, we need more diversity and we need awareness and knowledge,” says […]