Canadian HR Reporter

34 www.hrreporter.com S P O N S O R E D IT is looming. We read about it. We discuss it. And more than anything, we experience it. The pandemic has changed our daily routine drama- tically. And it is affecting most of us in significant ways. In this context, challenges regarding mental health issues have never been more topical than they are today. New data from the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC) and the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction suggests that the number of people in Canada reporting strong mental health has gone down 23 per cent, a drop from about two-thirds of the population to less than half. Almost two million (1.6 million) Canadians have expressed an unmet need for mental health care, and 7.5 million people in Canada are reporting living with a mental health problem or illness, found the 2017 report Strengthening the Case for Investing in Canada's Mental Health System: Economic Considerations. And many people still don't have access to the right treatment, according to the Statistics Canada report Mental Health Care Needs released in 2019. But this reality is hopefully about to shift. To be part of any new perspectives, it is up to the workplace to welcome new practices. "Workplaces are realizing that they have a large role in good mental health. Especially through COVID- 19, organizations are thinking more thoroughly about the mental health of their team members," says Dr. Dominik Nowak, faculty member at the University of Toronto and chair of the TELUS Medical Advisory Council. health care, supported by good primary care and a dedicated team of mental health specialists. Psychiatrists, psy- chologists, family doctors, social workers and other health professionals are helping many companies these days to improve their policies and provide adequate resources for individuals suffering from mental disorders, as well as with people looking to stay proactive around their mental health. "As a society, it is important for us to break down the friction between people thinking we need help and actually reaching out for professional support," says Nowak. With the pandemic, we all need, more than ever, to have that trusted voice on the other end of a device. We are entering into an era where each Canadian should be connected to their trusted health-care professional or to a physical clinic with just one click. To make it happen, everyone has a role to play. For organizations, HR experts are first in line to assist in raising awareness of the benefits of good mental health practices and implementing strategies to maintain a healthy work- ing environment. The first step in THE ADVANTAGES OF VIRTUAL CARE SOLUTIONS Virtual care to the rescue Depression levels are more prevalent than ever in our country, according to a 2020 Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) survey with 1,003 respondents. By age 40, around one in two Canadians will have or has had a mental illness. The survey found that one in four Canadians feels lonely occasionally or most of the time. And as many again are still feeling moderate to extreme levels of anxiety. Among them, respondents with children in the household reported higher levels of anxiety compared to those without children in this age group. Women reported higher levels of loneliness compared to men. "We are also finding disparities in essential workers and young people. The good news is that leaders in organizations want to do better in recognizing this shared problem, exploring solutions and changing culture," says Nowak. Aiming for new practices It has been a dream for HR strategists to orient their team members toward good Stress has become an all-too-familiar feeling for many people during the COVID-19 pandemic. What if an integrated approach to mental health that combines best-in-class virtual service could help us all? HOW ARE YOUR PEOPLE DOING? amounts. "Everyone has a part to play. Workplaces have a key role in fostering a culture that promotes good health, kindness and support." Dr. Dominik Nowak, TELUS Medical Advisory Council y Breaking down barriers and stigma against mental health: Conversations about mental health issues in organizations are becoming more common and more normalized. It has to become an everyday concern. y Helping people to connect with relationship-based care: We know that people who can regularly see a trusted health professional end up having higherquality care. And people may be more responsive to care recommendations because they are tailored and come from a place of trust. y Increasing access: People living in rural, remote or northern communities are often left without the same access to care. Every Canadian deserves high-quality care. y Saving time: We no longer have to miss as many days of work for in-person appointments. Not only do we avoid having to book time off to seek care but we save that precious time for ourselves and our loved ones. y Being proactive: "If seeing a health professional is made easier, we know that people tend to consult more quickly for mental health concerns," says Nowak. "As a result, we are able to be proactive." W ELLNES S & MENTA L HE A LTH

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