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encouraging virtual mental health care
is in making sure that people are fully
aware of the tools and programs that are
available and how to utilize them.
"Everyone has a part to play. Of course,
workplaces have a key role in fostering
a culture that promotes good health,
kindness and support," says Nowak.
In a workplace context, we are all partly
responsible for raising awareness. "We
can talk about a sort of 'social contract'
between employers and employees to
recognize and promote good health,"
he says. "We have to normalize mental
health as part of our shared experience.
In that sense, our shared humanity
makes us all part of the way forward."
On a continuum
Previously, mental health in the work-
place was seen in a more global way.
Some organizations that may have
looked at the question of wellness with a
certain stigma or on a fairly basic level
are now looking at it in a much more
nuanced, tailored way.
"We are looking at mental health as a
continuum and from the lens of health
promotion," says Nowak.
"It is not only a matter of being well or
feeling bad; it is normal for us all to be
in different parts of this continuum, day
by day. As HR leaders, our work is to
proactively support people wherever they
might find themselves on the continuum
of mental health. It's important to have
tailored strategies."
Are we actually listening?
We are all becoming more comfortable
talking about mental health in the
workplace.
"It is a shared responsibility, but I do
believe that kind of leadership needs to
be supported at the top. It is up to the
leaders to set the culture where these
conversations are seen as proactive and
genuine," says Nowak.
Innovative tools and models of care
are constantly being developed and
implemented. But one of the first
and very basic skills is our capacity to
listen. "When we ask, 'How are you
doing?'" he says, we have to ask it in a
way that signals authenticity, listen for
the answer and normalize ways to seek
further help.
"The people we work with are highly
resilient, talented, competent people.
Even so, it's OK for anyone to struggle
and be in that yellow, orange or red zone
sometimes. As leaders, it's on us to make
sure they're supported," says Nowak.
We have the tools to improve
mental health treatment in Canada
— one citizen, one employee and
one employer at a time. What if we
succeed? What a wonderful world we
may soon live in.
CHRR
