Only 21 per cent comfortable sharing mental illness
Fewer Quebec workers have experienced a mental health-related illness than Canadian workers as a whole, but are less comfortable sharing their mental health issue with colleagues, according to a Conference Board of Canada survey.
According to the survey, 29 per cent of Quebec workers have experienced a mental health-related illness, compared to 32 per cent for Canada.
But while 28 per cent of Canadians are comfortable sharing their mental health issue with colleagues, in Quebec the figure is only 21 per cent.
The survey, called Building Mentally Healthy Workplaces: Perspectives of Canadian Workers and Front-Line Managers, looked at what organizations can do to create conditions in which employees experiencing mental health issues can work more productively. The survey included 233 respondents from Quebec.
"These findings show the need for increased education and communication to combat the stigma, misinformation and apprehension surrounding mental health in the workplace," said Claudine Ducharme, director, health solutions consulting services for Morneau Shepell. "Employers must create a psychologically safe and healthy workplace. A good place to start is with a strong, demonstrated and visible commitment by senior management that can identify problems, make the assessment, and control psychological hazards and risks."
When it comes to workplace information about mental health 18 per cent of Quebec respondents said they received information in the past year, compared to 22 per cent nationally.
In Quebec 57 per cent of respondents reported managers are held accountable for addressing workplace issues that negatively affect the mental well-being of their employees, compared to 51 per cent nationally.
The survey also found 51 per cent of Quebec respondents report that their organization offers supportive programs, services or benefits that address their mental health needs, compared to 58 per cent nationally.
