Having left the corporate world due to stress in the workplace, I know how seriously it affects people. I left on good terms and for my own good reason. They say everything you do leads you to where you are now and what you are meant to be doing. I am living proof. My passion is helping people relieve stress and overwhelm. I have now taken that a step further and offer workshops in the workplace to counteract stress. I can honestly say, I love what I do.
Over the past 10 years the statistics surrounding mental health in the workplace have continued to rise to unbelievable heights, and will continue to do so until both companies and employees start to make serious changes to help reverse those statistics and start focusing on well-being.
Leading causes for complaints of stress and mental health concerns in the workplace include but are not limited to
work overload, lack of a sense of job security, poor management, poor communication, and workplace harassment. While I am a firm believer in building resilience to stress, and focusing on the strength within to counteract it, there is only so much a person can handle.
According to the Canadian Mental Health Commission poor mental health is costing a staggering $50 billion dollars a year. How did we let this get so out of control? Stats also suggest that while a quarter of people living with a mental health issue are unable to work,yet only 23% feel comfortable in speaking with their employer about it. The more I look at statistics the more mind boggling they look. Over 500,000 Canadians are off sick due to mental stress or illness every week. EVERY WEEK !!
I recall trying to get staff to buy into and engage in Health and Safety, I saw their attitude, the message I was getting was that it was just another thing management was trying to shove down their throats to save money. Why the attitude? Mostly due to the culture in the workplace, staff not feeling supported in what they needed and wanted. That lack of engagement and participation
carries over into production, thinking and creativity. Everyone looses.
Employers, such as Michael Garron Hospital, that have invested in changing their culture and shifting course by offering holistic wellness are experiencing and increase in employee engagement by 51% over 10 years, along with a 50% reduction in mental health disability claims. These statistics are more appealing, proving that there is hope, that change is possible.
Isn't it time to let go of the old thinking, the limitations and excuses and start offering wellness in the workplace. Isn't it time to bring this to the table and start creating a culture that allows holistic wellness it's place in the workplace? Let' s talk about what I can offer. Let's talk about creating a work environment that encourages all levels of employees to take charge of their well-being and support each other in the overall culture where they work.
