Workplace resources

What is workplace wellness?

Sometimes it seems like everyone has a different answer when it comes to defining wellness—and it feels like there is no simple answer. Wellness involves many aspects of an individual’s or organization’s well-being including financial stability, social engagement and physical and mental health. Workplace wellness involves a comprehensive and human-centered approach to supporting these major aspects.

We believe with the right tools, approach and commitment, your journey towards cultivating a healthy workplace culture can become more tangible. Let us help you on your organizational wellness journey.

Current state of mental health in the workplace1

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24%

or nearly one quarter of Canadians have considered leaving their current job due to their employer’s response to COVID-19

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At 53%

increased mental stress and strain at work is the most reported reason employees consider leaving their job

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Over 1/3

of Canadians report being concerned about a co-worker’s mental health

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73%

of Canadians indicated that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative impact on their mental health

Public tools and resources to support you

As your partner in wellness, we are here to help. We’ve compiled a list of resources below to support you.

RESOURCES

Loneliness and social isolation

The feelings of loneliness and isolation among employees have heightened due to social distancing measures and remote work protocols over the past year. This has taken a toll on employees’ mental health and well-being.

We have compiled a number of resources to help individuals and organizations understand what they can do to help reduce the feelings of loneliness due to social isolation and improve their health.

Graham Lowe’s – resolving the pandemic paradox of flexible work

Employee Fatigue, Isolation, and Loneliness

Social Isolation and Loneliness

Vital signs annual check-up

Reducing stigma

Now more than ever, it is imperative to reduce the stigma of mental health in our workplaces. Humans are complicated and complex, and it is difficult for someone to address their needs and seek support from their co-workers or managers if they feel they will be judged or negatively affected. By working to eliminate negative perceptions of those struggling with mental health or anxiety, we can position ourselves to be more compassionate and empathetic. We have a collection of resources to help understand how to reduce stigma.

CMHA Mental Illnesses in the workplace

The Invisible Wounds of Mental Health Disorders

How can I help someone in mental distress

Reducing Mental Health Stigma

Beyond Stigma

Suicide prevention

The death of a colleague by suicide leaves a heavy emotional and financial burden on family, friends, co-workers and their place of work. Suicide touches everyone; and with employees spending more than half of their time at their place of work, it also directly impacts their workplace. Education on how to prevent, address and approach suicide in the workplace is becoming more important, especially as the pandemic continues.

Mental health support

The workplace and suicide prevention

CMHA Alberta Crisis Guide

CMHA Alberta Resource Guide

Workplace specific resources

We have collected additional resources specific to the workplace, including materials about building self-care and resiliency for mental health. Over time, we will add more specific topics that are impacting workplaces, such as alcohol and drug use.

Graham Lowe’s – Healthy organization guiding principles

BestLifeRewarded Innovations

Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety

Workplace specific resources-Online links

Creating a Healthy Workplace

Moving to Action: Implementing Workplace Safety & Prevention Services’ Mental Harm Prevention Roadmap

MHCC Toolkit 1 – Implementing the standard, introduction

MHCC Toolkit 2 -Implementing the standard, takeaways

MHCC Toolkit 3- Implementing the standard, lessons from the 40

MHCC Toolkit 4- Implementing the standard, checklist

MHCC Toolkit 5 – Implementing the standard, taking action

MHCC Toolkit 6 – Quick reference, resources guide

TOOLS

We have collected additional resources and tools that you may find value incorporating into your workplace wellness programs. These resources will assist as a supplement of a larger wellness program or initiative and not as a stand-alone action.

Graham Lowe’s – change readiness checklist

Graham Lowe’s – action checklist

Lifestyle management

Chronic disease management

Diabetes

Heart disease

Connecting to health care

The Working Mind Self-care & Resilience Guide

Emotional triggers tool

Multicultural Competency Self-Reflection Worksheet

Self talk Renovation

Six dimensions focus tool

White papers and case studies

Wondering how to make a wellness plan?

Some employee wellness programs are more successful than others. This white paper highlights four key factors for success when implementing wellness programs and how they can support your organization.

Learn how to make a wellness plan

Mental health in the workplace

According to the World Health Organization, around 450 million people currently struggle with mental illness making it the leading cause of disability worldwide.

Read about mental health in the workplace

Five steps to build an effective wellness initiative

In 2018, we launched our daily 15-minute wellness breaks initiative for our team members. This case study breaks our process down into five, easy-to-follow steps to help guide your organization’s wellness journey.

View the five steps case study

[1] The Mental Health Index™ Report