Mental health at work: bringing clarity to a complex issue

On Wednesday, October 22, 2008, the Halton Region Health Department will host a free networking meeting for representatives of local businesses to learn and discuss ways to address and respond to mental health issues in the workplace.

The meeting will be of interest to human resource professionals, occupational health nurses, health and safety representatives, and wellness committee members. It will be held from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the Halton Regional Centre at 1151 Bronte Road in Oakville get directions, with a half hour networking session scheduled prior to the meeting, from 8:30 to 9:00 a.m.

“Mental health issues have a significant impact on workplaces,” said Gary Carr, Halton’s Regional Chair. “This networking meeting will bring the issue into the open and share ways that employers can support their employees who are experiencing mental health issues. It is a well known fact that when people sense they will not be discriminated against, they are more likely to ask for help. This is key, because early treatment is important.”

The meeting facilitator, Cecilia Marie Flynn, is a Mental Health Education Manager from the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA). With her guidance, meeting participants will discuss and explore ways to talk openly about mental health concerns and how to support employees who are ill.

Ms. Flynn will deliver excerpts from an award winning Mental Health Works presentation that uses video and stories to portray what it is like to experience depression or anxiety at work. She will also bring information related to mental health training available to Halton worksites through CMHA and Mental Health Works.

“There has long been a stigma around mental illness,” said Dr. Bob Nosal, Medical Officer of Health for Halton Region. “Yet, according to the World Health Organization, by the year 2020 depression will rank second only to heart disease as the leading cause of disability worldwide. While many companies are aware that mental health issues affect the bottom line in terms of lost productivity and disability claims, most are reluctant or unable to address the issue. This session will help organizations begin to think about mental health, develop appropriate policies and procedures and find common strategies that are effective.”

For more information, to register for the networking meeting or to be added to the mailing list for future meetings, please contact Halton Region by October 15th at
905-825-6000, toll free 1-866-4HALTON (1-866-442-5866), TTY 905-827-9833 or visit our website.

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