From Mental Health Commission of Canada
Today, the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC) is proud to join our partners at Bell in the world’s largest conversation about mental health. Given the ongoing pandemic, this year’s campaign is urging people in Canada to make every action count, and thanks to Bell’s commitment to investing in mental health, we have tools to support that effort.
Since its launch eight years ago, The National Standard of Canada for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace (the Standard) — the world’s first of its kind — has helped countless organizations weave psychological health and safety into the fabric of their workplace. Toronto’s Michael Garron Hospital, for instance, an early champion of the Standard, has seen a downward trend in long-term disability claims and employee absenteeism since incorporating the guidelines into its wellness program.
In light of the ongoing success of the Standard, last fall we were thrilled to release a similar set of flexible, voluntary guidelines for post-secondary institutions. With over 70 per cent of students feeling stress, anxiety, or isolation due to COVID-19, and more than 80 per cent worried about their futures beyond the pandemic, it’s never been more important to support student mental health.
To that end, The National Standard of Canada for Mental Health and Well-Being for Post-Secondary Students couldn’t come at a better time. Its aim is to build on the important work Canada’s post-secondary institutions have done to put mental wellness at the core of their operations. Many institutions, including Carleton University and Concordia University, are keen to bolster their existing mental health supports and improve the student experience with the help of these new guidelines. With Bell’s recently announced Post-Secondary Fund, administrators should feel confident that implementation of this framework will be well-supported.
From boardrooms to classrooms, the MHCC hopes these tools will continue to inspire meaningful action, none of which would have been possible without Bell’s support and investment. In keeping with its own longstanding tradition of turning talk into action, today Bell will be donating five cents to Canadian mental health programs for every applicable text, call, social media post using #BellLetsTalk, or view of the Bell Let’s Talk Day video. For a complete list of ways to participate, visit the Bell Let’s Talk Day website.
Just as a collection of five-cent donations can amount to an impressive sum, small actions toward wellness can yield powerful change. Every action, and every nickel, counts.
Louise Bradley
President and CEO, Mental Health Commission of Canada
Contact
Media Relations
Mental Health Commission of Canada
613-683-3748 / media@mentalhealthcommission.ca
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