Half of Canadians will face mental illness by 40, yet most stay silent at work
Half of Canadians will have experienced a mental illness by age 40, yet many stay silent at work — often because their workplace is not equipped to respond.
Empire Life Insurance Company is trying to change that.
The insurer put more than 70 leaders and employees through Mental Health First Aid training, a course delivered by the Mental Health Commission of Canada to help managers handle mental health conversations more effectively.
Research cited by the company shows employees at highly supportive workplaces are 55 percent more likely to disclose mental health concerns to a manager — a gap Empire Life says informed the decision to train its leadership.
Senior vice-president HR Richard Carty framed the effort in operational terms, saying workplace wellness is the foundation of organisational performance and that empathetic leadership creates a culture where employees feel safe and supported.
The training cohort included the Group Benefits Disability Management team, whose work involves daily contact with claimants going through difficult circumstances.
On the plan member side, Empire Life's Group Benefits plans include Mental Health Navigator and a Caregiver Program through Teladoc Health Canada.
Plan sponsors can layer on additional supports — including an Employee Assistance Program through KiiHealth and Telemedicine services including myStrength, also through Teladoc Health Canada.
