Communicating about Mental Health in the Workplace

I'm writing this in memory of a close friend’s father whom took his life over 4 years ago at his workplace.

According to a study conducted by the Canadian Medical Association, only 50% of Canadians would tell their co-workers about a family member suffering from mental illness, while as much as 72% would discuss a diagnosis of Cancer with these same workers.

I understand that this conversation is still a work in progress for many workplaces, but that still doesn’t mean it should not be given as much attention as other equally destructive illnesses, like Cancer or Diabetes.

It’s 2017, and despite society’s efforts to push conversations about mental health, I still believe that a stigma about discussing mental health is ever-present.

Employers still fail to understand that influences from outside the workplace have such a strong impact on our capability to maintain business relationships, or to even perform essential tasks such as eating and sleeping.

Mental health can be severe; severe enough for 500,000 Canadians on any given week to be unable to work due to mental health related reasons, according to CAMH.

However, in spite of this problem, many still view mental health as an excuse; an illegitimate one for those whom are ‘too weak’ to confront the challenges of life. That mental health is somehow easily controlled by those suffering from it.

The part that we fail to understand is that many of those suffering from mental illness may have been doing so as early as childhood. In fact, 70% of mental health problems begin in childhood/adolescence, according to the Government of Canada in 2006.

In other words, we fail to realize that one’s mental health problems are a lot more complex than we think.

It's so easy to tell someone:

"That’s just life; don't worry it will all work out! "

or

“You know, some people have it much worse than you do.”

or

“You can get through this; you are the captain of your destiny!”

I'm sure we have heard that many times from colleagues when seeking a shoulder to lean on, or advice.

The problem with these words is that we approach the person at the top of the pit they’re trapped in, expressing sympathy when we should really be climbing down to accompany our loved ones during feelings of isolation – or in other words talking with the person instead of at them.

The difference between the deep human connections that stem from empathy as opposed to sympathy is beautifully illustrated in this animated short by The RSA, narrated by Dr. Brene Brown.

So maybe next time a family member, friend, or coworker looks like they need someone to be by their side, be there without any preconceived notions about how exactly they should be handling their situation, or looking for that silver lining.

Just be by their side.

A lot of the time we listen to respond when we should just listen.

In any case, The future really starts with the younger generation and our children. With the advent of mobile technology, its so easy for youn

ger generations to isolate themselves. Whether it be through Netflix marathons or spending hours of communicating digitally through messenger apps, mobile technology and entertainment is making it increasingly difficult for us to gauge whether our children are really doing okay.

Communication is key...if you or anybody you work with is suffering from Mental illness in silence, please call or refer them to the Mental Health Helpline: 1-866-531-2600.