The Healthy Opportunities Promoting Empowerment (HOPE) Committee offered a presentation on mental health in the workplace to a packed room at the Mount Forest and District Sports Complex on March 28.
The “lunch and learn” event, which kicked off the second day of the Wellington North Showcase, featured speaker Michael Harloff of Family Counselling and Support Services of Guelph-Wellington.
Other speakers included Perth-Wellington MP John Nater and Wellington North Mayor Andy Lennox.
“Having this opportunity to help decrease stigma affecting people is so important,” said Nater.
Lennox said mental health is important to discuss, as it can be debilitating.
“In the workplace I think it’s particularity difficult. Even some of the well-intentioned things people do or say may have negative consequences on those people suffering from mental health (issues),” he said.
Mental health in the workplace can be a significant issue for both employers and employees, said Harloff.
“There’s a fear of letting people know what we’re going through or there’s a fear that you’re going to be judged … I think these things are very relevant for rural communities,” he explained.
“It’s hard to get the support we need up here.”
Harloff added that having a mentally unhealthy workplace can exasperate problems in people’s personal life.
During his presentation, Harloff explored why it is important to make sure the workplace is accommodating.
He said the economic burden of mental illness is $51 billion a year in Canada.
“Mental health problems are the leading cause of short- and long-term disabilities, so it is creating a toll on workers and the work place,” Harloff said.
“By 2020, depression will be the second leading cause of disability world wide – that’s only second to heat disease.”
Harloff added if employers and employees work together to create a healthy environment, the benefits are enhanced cost effectiveness, improved risk management and improved retention and recruitment.
“When there’s a mentally healthy workplace it allows the work force … to be enabled and empowered to do great things in the community at large,” he said.
Harloff also discussed creating boundaries in order to protect mental health.
He suggested, “knowing what your limits are and what you’re comfortable with, then … put this into action in the workplace.”
The HOPE Committee also provided a free lunch to those in attendance at the March 28 event.
