World Mental Health Day shines a spotlight on mental health in the workplace
World Mental Health Day is October 10. The theme this year is “It is time to prioritize mental health in the workplace”. The theme, chosen by popular vote, is both relevant and undeniably timely. Fulltime employees spend one third of their average day at work. The workplace plays a major role in employee mental health and well-being, and the effects can be positive or negative.
The turmoil of the past few years has brought to light employees’ mental health and the struggles that many face in their place of work. It has affected employee’s mental health and the mental health of families and friends. Despite the growing awareness, discussing mental health with colleagues remains challenging due to persistent stigma.
The JLP upholds the 13 factors of psychological health and safety in the workplace[DB1] promoted by the Mental Health Commission of Canada. One avenue to identify workplace mental-health strengths and weaknesses is to create a structured space for employees to talk about mental health.
Both Mental Health in the Workplace and Mental Health: Let’s Talk! allow employees and managers to find common ground to identify and start to change workplace culture around mental health. This World Mental Health Day, the JLP recognizes that workplace mental health is an ongoing priority for many public-service employees.
Photo by Nik Shuliahin on Unsplash.c