Responding to a new survey showing workplace stress, burnout
and depression are on the rise in Canada, the Canadian Mental
Health Association (CMHA) is urging employers across the
country to accept greater responsibility for the mental health
of their employees.
According to a recent survey commissioned by Desjardins
Financial Security (DFS), an astonishing 83 per cent of
Canadians report showing up for work while sick or exhausted an
average of six times in the past year. Meanwhile, 89 per cent
report that instances of stress-related mental health problems
have been increasing over the years.
"Stress, burnout, and depression create huge fallout in the
workplace that far exceeds taking a sick day here and there.
They are part of a continuum leading to serious illness," noted
Dr. Taylor Alexander, CEO of the CMHA. "It is estimated that
more than two million employees in Canada suffer mental illness
at any given time. The economic, social and personal impact of
mentally unhealthy workplaces is staggering."
According to the Conference Board of Canada, workers who
reported a high degree of stress when it comes to balancing
their work and family life missed 7.2 days of work each year -
double the absentee rate of those who reported very little
stress. Employees suffering clinical depression are off the job
an average of 40 days, and mental health claims (particularly
depression) are the fastest growing category for days lost to
disability in Canada.
Many companies fail to recognize the toll this is taking. By
not addressing these problems in the workplace, they are
incurring increased days lost, reduced productivity, and higher
disability and benefits costs.
"In addition, businesses are facing projected shortages of
skilled workers in the future and they will have to use their
resources in the most effective way. Part of that is ensuring
that their workforce is mentally healthy," Dr. Alexander said.
As well, mentally unhealthy workplaces place another burden on
an already-stressed healthcare system. Research shows that
depression is linked to heart disease, diabetes, and autoimmune
disorders.
"For all of these reasons, we're calling on employers to do
more - to make mental health their business," said Dr.
Alexander.
Some of the steps that employers can take include:
-  Offer flexible hours
-  Allow workers to work from home where possible and
appropriate
-  Permit those returning from a leave to gradually build
up to a full-time schedule
-  Train managers on how to support work/life balance
-  Encourage staff to stay home with sick children or
elderly relatives when needed
-  Eliminate unnecessary meetings
-  Communicate expectations clearly to staff
-  Allow staff to control their own priorities as much as
possible
May 5-11 is Mental Health Week.
Article provided by the CMHA, www.cmha.ca .
