How The CMHA Is Tearing Down Mental Health Barriers In The Workplace
HALIFAX — If you are an employer, there’s a good chance someone on your crew lives with mental health issues. Research indicates that one in three Canadians have a mental health issue, which means it’s important to know how to accommodate employees who need help.
Having a frank conversation in the workplace about someone’s medical struggles can be difficult. That’s why the Canadian Mental Health Association in Nova Scotia has the “At Work” program. This program matches people with mental health and addiction issues with employers. It also offers an opportunity to teach employers about mental health in the workplace.
“We offer opportunities for them to learn about mental health and remove barriers in obtaining employment,” said Danica Barr, an employment support worker for the At Work program. “We also encourage employers to be leaders of well-being in the workplace so they’re able to support everybody on their roster.”
The At Work program also teaches its clients skills in resume writing and conducting job interviews. For potential employers, CMHA offers wage subsidies up to 50 percent for four months.
Tracy Hiltz, the At Work provincial lead, says it’s paramount to match clients with the right employer. If they go somewhere they are uncomfortable, it will rarely work out. That’s why the program does a lot of talking with employers first. Luckily, a lot of CMHA’s clients know what they’re suited for. Hiltz estimates that 75 percent of her clients bring job ideas to them.
“We want to make sure that it’s a safe environment. And that means that there’s no stigma put on this individual because they have mental health,” said Hiltz, who has connected with 90 Nova Scotia employers in recent months. “We connect with employers on a regular basis just to talk about mental health.”
“I’m working with a lady who wants to work with the SPCA or dog training. So, I just started those cold calls, and I’m just starting conversations with employers. It’s not starting out saying ‘hey, do you want to hire this person?’ But just having that conversation about mental health in the workplace.”
Hiltz knows first-hand how difficult it can be in the workforce while dealing with mental health issues. She is open about her struggles with complex PTSD, depressive disorder, and anxiety. Hiltz is also a success story of the At Work program. Before she was the program’s lead, she was a client.
“When I first came into this program, I came in for more of the social connection and just to get me reintegrated into society,” said Hiltz.
“Some days are more productive than others. My work environment has provided the container for me to be able to come and do my job. They have that respect for me that if I’m having a bad day, I’m not going to be doing a lot of face-to-face; I’m going to be doing more emails and paperwork.”
Getting employers to understand why a worker might miss shifts or why they might have off days is part of what Hiltz does for her clients.
Such a program is arguably needed now more than ever. The sudden changes to the workplace, and to our whole world, since 2020 have caused a lot of anxiety and depression. Employees and employers must understand how to navigate these challenges together.
“We all have mental health struggles,” says Hiltz. “We are all on that mental health continuum because it’s not a pretty continuum. It’s like a swirly road.”
Derek Montague is a Huddle reporter in Halifax. Send him your feedback and story ideas: [email protected].