How to promote mental health in the workplace

What you can do to help your coworker (or yourself) deal with mental illness

In any given week, at least 500,000 employed Canadians are unable to work due to mental health problems. In fact, according to Statistics Canada, the average public sector worker missed 13.5 days of work last year (the most ever), while private sector workers missed 8.3 days.

While statistics like this are fairly easy to find, what often goes unreported is that one reason for sick days is a deterioration in mental health.

Mental illnesses cost Canadian employers billions of dollars in absenteeism or sick days, “presenteeism” (coming to work even when the employee can’t function well), disability and other benefits, and lost productivity, according to the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA).

While many organizations these days are taking steps to create mentally healthy workplaces for all employees, the feelings that can arise from mental health problems can mean facing a normal work day can be overwhelming.

One way to overcome the challenges is to tell a supervisor or member of your workplace’s human resources team. This is called disclosure. In Canada, the law says that you don’t have to tell your employers what is causing a disability, but you do need to say that you’re experiencing health challenges and describe what you need to work well.

If you suspect a coworker is suffering from mental illness, here are some tips from CMHA to offer support:

• Ask how you can help, and respect your coworker’s wishes.
• Continue to include your coworker in the workplace’s usual activities.
• Depending on your relationship, you can still keep in touch with a coworker who takes time off.
• When a coworker returns to work after time off due to a mental illness, make them feel welcome and appreciated. Staying silent because you’re worried about saying the wrong thing can make your coworker feel worse.

Previously published by BCLiving. For more information visit Mental Health Works.