Mentally unhealthy workplaces taking an enormous toll in Canada

    TORONTO, May 1 /CNW Telbec/ - Responding to a new survey showing that
Canadian employees feel workplace stress, burnout and depression are on the
rise, the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) is urging employers across
the country to accept greater responsibility for the mental health of their
employees.
    "Employers must do more to promote a healthy work/life balance, otherwise
they, their workers, our economy and society will suffer serious
consequences," warned Dr. Taylor Alexander, CEO of the CMHA.
    According to a survey commissioned by Desjardins Financial Security (DFS)
and released today in advance of Mental Health Week (May 5-11), an astonishing
83 per cent of Canadians reported having shown up for work while sick or
exhausted. On average, they did so six times in the past year. Meanwhile,
89 per cent feel that instances of stress-related mental health problems have
been increasing over the years.
    "Stress, burnout and depression create huge fallout in the workplace that
far exceeds taking a sick day here and there. They are part of a continuum
that can lead to serious illness," noted Dr. Alexander. "It is estimated that
more than two million employees in Canada suffer mental illness at any given
time. The economic, social and personal impact of mentally unhealthy
workplaces is staggering."
    According to the Conference Board of Canada, workers who reported a high
degree of stress balancing their work and family life missed 7.2 days of work
each year- double the absentee rate of those who reported very little stress.
    Employees suffering clinical depression are off the job an average of
40 days and mental health claims (particularly depression) are the fastest
growing category for days lost to disability in Canada.
    Many companies fail to recognize the toll this is taking. By not
addressing these problems in the workplace, they are incurring increased days
lost, reduced productivity and higher disability and benefits costs.
    "In addition, businesses are facing projected shortages of skilled
workers in the future and they will have to use their resources in the most
effective way. Part of that is ensuring that their workforce is mentally
healthy," Dr. Alexander stated.
    As well, mentally unhealthy workplaces place another burden on an already
stressed healthcare system. Research shows that depression is linked to heart
disease, diabetes and autoimmune disorders.
    "For all of these reasons, we're calling on employers to do more-to make
mental health their business," said Dr. Alexander. "Employees must also take
responsibility for their mental health by making sure they are taking care of
their health and communicating openly with their employer and supervisors when
they see potential problems arising."
    CMHA helps employers with advice and counseling through various programs,
including Mental Health Works. A similar program called the Copernicus Project
is based in Alberta.
    Some of the steps that employers can take include:

    - Offer flexible hours
    - Allow workers to work from home where possible and appropriate
    - Permit those returning from a leave to gradually build up to a full-
      time schedule
    - Train managers on how to support work/life balance
    - Encourage staff to stay home with sick children or elderly relatives
      when needed
    - Eliminate unnecessary meetings
    - Communicate expectations clearly to staff
    - Allow staff to control their own priorities as much as possible

    About the Survey

    SOM Surveys, Opinion Polls and Marketing conducted the survey on behalf
of Desjardins Financial Security between February 7 and March 10, 2008. In
total, 1,594 interviews were conducted with a representative sample of
Canadian adults. The data has a maximum sampling error of +2.6 per cent at a
95 per cent confidence level.

    About the Canadian Mental Health Association

    The Canadian Mental Health Association National Office is a leading
national voluntary organization within the mental health sector. For more than
90 years, it has existed to promote the mental health of all people in Canada
and to serve mental health consumers, their families and friends through
education, public awareness, research, advocacy and direct services. In
addition to its National office, the CMHA has 12 provincial and territorial
Divisions and more than 135 Branches and Regions in communities across Canada.

    About Desjardins Financial Security

    Desjardins Financial Security, a subsidiary of Desjardins Group, the
largest integrated cooperative financial group in Canada, specializes in group
and individual life and health insurance, and savings products and services.
Every day, over five million Canadians rely on Desjardins Financial Security
to ensure their financial security. With a staff of over 3,700 employees,
Desjardins Financial Security manages and administers close to $20 billion in
assets from offices in major cities across the country, including Vancouver,
Calgary, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec, Levis, Halifax and
St. John's.

For further information: or to arrange an interview: Rachel Sa, PR POST,
(416) 777-0368, rachel@prpost.ca; To find more information about mental
health, visit www.cmha.ca; To view Desjardins Financial Security's survey,
visit www.healthiscool.ca