Victoria, BC (February 19, 2019) – “Significant new funding for child and youth mental health and substance use services will begin to fill the huge gap that exists between the needs of BC’s children, youth and young adults, and available services, and support implementation of the Province’s anticipated child & youth mental health plan,” said Kendra Milne, Senior Director, Policy and Planning of the Canadian Mental Health Association BC Division. “We know that many mental health and substance use problems arise in childhood or youth and it is a key time to ensure we support kids and young people to thrive and be well – these new investments have the potential to improve lifelong outcomes for kids who need them.”
Workplace mental health showcased
It was all about celebrating those who are walking the talk at the 4th Annual CMHA Kelowna Mentally Healthy Workplace Awards. The annual event recognizes businesses in the community that are working towards mental health in their workplace.
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William & Associations Counselling Services – Mentally Healthy Small Business Winner |
TWP Fitness – Mentally Healthy Medium Business Winner |
Interior Savings Credit Union – Mentally Healthy Large Business Winner |
Three businesses were honoured Tuesday morning for taking leadership in valuing Growth and Development, Balance and Engagement when it came to employees themselves and the workplace environment as a whole. William & Associates Counselling Services received the award for small business while TWP Fitness was awarded for medium business. Interior Savings Credit Union took the honours in the large business category.
Twenty workplaces submitted nominations to receive the distinction as a mentally healthy workplace, more than any other year. “It showed us that mental health in the workplace is becoming a priority,” says CMHA Kelowna Executive Director Shelagh Turner. Turner added she was inspired by this year’s finalists, “As we went through the process of determining the winners it really was a career highlight for me. I thought to myself – these employers, all of them, they really get it. They are doing the work and walking the talk when it comes to mental health for their employees.”
Keynote Speaker retired Lieutenant Colonel Stéphane Grenier wrapped up the morning and drove home the point of valuing employees to the 230 professionals and business leaders in the room. Grenier says if more attention and focus was place on the people in the workplace, the rest will follow. “We put so much emphasis on productivity. If we just switch it around and put the emphasis on people, these people will be productive.”
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Grenier, who spent 29 years in the military serving in places like Rwanda, Afghanistan and Kandahar, established a non-clinical and practical mental health program for the Canadian military before retiring in 2012. He is the founder of Mental Health Innovations Consulting and works with organizations to enhance the mental health of employees.
“We have been talking a whole lot about mental health,” says Grenier. “But where it’s going to start changing is when our behaviour starts changing.”
According to the Mental Health Commission of Canada, in any given week more than 500,000 Canadians are unable to work due to mental health problems or illnesses. Ultimately costing the Canadian economy up to $55 billion each year due to days off work, lost productivity and disability claims.
Click here to see the slides from retired Lieutenant Colonel Stéphane Grenier impactful and thought provoking address.
For more information on some workplace mental health resources click here.
Mental Health in the Balance: Ending the Health Care Disparity in Canada
Over half of Canadians consider anxiety and depression ‘epidemic’
The Canadian Mental Health Association calls for new legislation to bring mental health into balance with physical health.
TORONTO (ONTARIO) September 17, 2018 – Over half of Canadians (53%) consider anxiety and depression to be ‘epidemic’ in Canada, with that perception spiking amongst younger people, according to a new survey commissioned by the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA). Fifty-nine per cent of 18 to 34-year-olds consider anxiety and depression to be ‘epidemic’ in Canada, followed closely by addiction (56%) and ahead of physical illnesses such as cancer (50%), heart disease and stroke (34%), diabetes (31%) and HIV/AIDS (13%). The survey accompanies a national CMHA policy paper, Mental Health in the Balance: Ending the Health Care Disparity in Canada, released today, which calls for new legislation to address unmet mental health needs and bring mental health care into balance with physical health care.