On June 6, Benefits Canada hosted its annual Mental Health Summit, the industry’s most popular and well-known conference in this space. Designed for employers and the advisors who consult with them, this virtual event covered key areas including links to disease impacts, treatment options and much more. Here’s what you missed! How plan sponsors can support employees’ […]
While self-management strategies for mental health can empower plan members, plan sponsors also have a role to play in creating a work environment that’s conducive to mental wellness, said Simon Coulombe, professor of industrial relations at Laval University, during a session at Benefits Canada’s 2024 Mental Health Summit in June. “We know part of the […]
People leaders and managers have an important role to play in the well-being of their team members, said Carmen Bellows, registered psychologist and director of mental health solutions at Sun Life Financial Inc., during a session at Benefits Canada’s 2024 Mental Health Summit in June. “[They can] recognize when mental health might be impacting someone, […]
It’s important for plan sponsors to educate employees about the benefits of a good night’s sleep, said Ken Porter, national sustainability director for the Mood Disorders Society of Canada, during Benefits Canada’s 2024 Mental Health Summit in June. “Getting enough quality sleep is essential to our physical, mental and emotional wellness. It serves in a […]
People going through the loss of a loved one often worry they’re not grieving in the right way if their experience differs from their and others’ expectations of what grief looks like, said Deborah McLeod, clinical director at Carepath Inc., during Benefits Canada’s 2024 Mental Health Summit in June. Grief is a highly individualized process […]
A decline in the number of long-term disability claims over the past three years may be the result of some employees prioritizing their financial health over physical and mental wellness, said William Lindsay, senior disability management advisor for Desjardins Insurance’s disability management and prevention team, during Benefits Canada’s 2024 Mental Health Summit in June. The […]
Mental health and musculoskeletal problems are currently two of the main drivers of disability claims and it isn’t uncommon for plan members with a mental-health diagnosis to also have a secondary physical condition or vice-versa, said Rebecca Smith, director of group life and disability services at Medavie Blue Cross, during Benefits Canada’s 2024 Mental Health […]
Warren Shepell has had a front-row seat for the evolution of how mental health has been treated in the workplace. Shepell was the pioneer and founder of employee assistance programs in Canada. He launched his first one in 1979 while working as an organizational consultant, after human resources professionals started referring employees struggling with mental-health […]
When the National Standard for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace was released just over a decade ago by the Mental Health Commission of Canada and the Bureau de normalisation du Quebec, many employers questioned the benefit and effectiveness of the voluntary standard, said Liz Horvath, manager of psychological health and safety at Opening […]
During a panel discussion at Benefits Canada’s 2024 Mental Health Summit in June, three plan sponsors discussed whether the size of an employer impacts its ability to support workers’ mental health. Telus Communications Inc., which has roughly 30,000 employees, has developed a mental-health strategy that recognizes the whole employee based on five wellness dimensions — […]