Page 28 - INSIGHT MAGAZINE - NoBleed_Neat

BRIAN'S BLOG

Mental health remains a key

workplace issue

Mental health in the workplace “I think as a community, we’re trying to “It’s all about finding ways to build those
continues to be a major focus, figure out what do our lives look after this spaces into your work and obviously,
while also really struggling cognitively every workplace is different. There is no
especially as businesses with our brains,” says Robyn. one ‘right’ way to do this,” says Robyn.
continue to deal with labour As a result, she says it’s important for “It’s about knowing how to talk
shortages and adapt to hybrid employers to be able to read the signs about mental health and being able
work models. an employee may be dealing with mental to communicate that in a kind and
“You have to prioritize it,” says Robyn health issues. compassionate way. Many employers
Schwarz, Fund Development, Advocacy, “Looking at different behavioural changes themselves are also under stress and
and Communications Lead at Porchlight can be really helpful,” says Robyn, noting when an employee knows that they can
Counselling Addictions Services in that sudden tardiness, anger issues, or mutually support each other.”
Cambridge. “You have to see it as signs often associated with being a ‘bad’ She says just sending employees emails
something you need to learn, the same employee could really indicate a mental with links to mental health resources isn’t
way you need to learn anything else to health concern. enough, and in fact, could exacerbate the
grow your business.” “A mental health issue is one of those situation.
Despite the fact the pandemic is things that shows up so different with “In that case, you’re putting the onus on
considered a thing of the past, she says everyone and we all have different your employee to do something that they
for some fears and concerns surrounding understandings of what emotional might not even have the capacity to do
COVID-19 – especially for those with dysregulation look likes.” and you’re also creating a situation where
ongoing health issues - continue to they feel you’re actually giving them more
impact their mental health. As well, she says addiction issues could work to do.”
also be a byproduct as employees try
“I like to think the pandemic really to find ways to cope with anxiety and Finding resources can be difficult, says
escalated a lot of stressors and acted depression. Robyn, noting that private therapy in
almost like a catalyst for things that were Canada can cost between $160 to $250
already just under the surface in our lives,” “A couple of things we’re hearing in the an hour, and that on average between six
says Robyn, referring to it as “collective community is an increase in normalized to 10 sessions are usually needed for a
trauma” for the community in general. addictions because many people were person to make any progress.
at home during the pandemic,” she says,
She says for working parents who had referring to alcohol consumption. “That is “Most benefit packages I know, unless
to find ways to support their children something we’ve been really concerned you work for a very large corporation,
through school lockdowns while trying about because it’s something you can cover perhaps $500 a year,” she says,
to balance their work life, it has proven hide really easily until it becomes life or adding Porchlight, which offers a variety
particularly hard as they face rising costs. death.” of services, is a good place to learn about
In fact, according to a recent Wellbeing local resources.
Waterloo Region report Cambridge As a result, she says creating a supportive
residents, despite having lower income workplace environment through trust and “The system right now is a great big puzzle
levels, work more hours to make ends open communication is important for an and is very confusing, so an organization
meet. The report shows 6.2% work 55 employee to address their mental health like ours we can do the heavy lifting for
hours a week or more at than their main issues. people to help them access affordable
job and a 28.3% of respondents work 20 mental health and addictions support.”
or more hours a week at a second job.

28 Fall 2023 www.cambridgechamber.com