In an effort to address the emerging mental heath crisis in Canada, Sun Life Canada has held a forum to discuss ways to tackle the issue and support Canada’s employees in this difficult time.
Produced in partnership with the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Sun Life’s November 30 forum brought together 70 presidents, CEOs and C-suite leaders to discuss the national mental health crisis. The forum looked into the important role of workplaces, and particularly the role CEOs and presidents play in supporting the mental health of employees.
According to Sun Life Canada and Lumino Health president Jacques Goulet, Canada was already experiencing a mental health crisis even before the COVID-19 pandemic – but the outbreak contributed to the further degradation of mental health for many. Goulet noted that since the pandemic began, nearly 60% of Canadians reported a further decline in their mental health.
"As leaders of some of Canada's largest workplaces, we have the responsibility to act. We must set the tone from the top and ensure our organizations are psychologically safe,” the president said in a statement.
Goulet said the presidents and CEOs in the forum represent some 250,000 Canadian employees, and stressed that: “Together, we can build a more resilient Canada, a critical component of Canada's pandemic recovery."
CAMH Foundation president and CEO, Deborah Gillis, added: “Employee mental health is one of the most important issues facing workplaces today–and it's inspiring to see so many leaders from Canada's top companies ready to champion the cause.”
She said that by stepping forward to champion mental health in the workplace, business leaders have the opportunity and responsibility to end the stigma that holds many Canadian workers back from talking about mental health and receiving proper treatment.
To coincide with its successful forum event, Sun Life Canada also released the results of a recent workplace survey. The survey found that only a third (34%) of employed Canadians have received additional support or resources from their employers to help manage their mental, physical, or financial wellness. Of those respondents who have received additional support, 68% received mental health support, 40% received physical health support, and 25% received financial health support.
