Here are some of the ways Alberta employers are promoting workplace mental health.
"There is an open-minded management and willingness to change approach that enables staff to challenge conventional business wisdom. Staff feel they are part of the decision-making processes. A staff health program has been set up to encourage health-related extracurricular activity for staff and family."
- Jeff, Trimark Engineering Ltd.
"The staff association/committee arranges events like Survivor to coincide with the TV show, special luncheons (such as) pizza day, burger day, Halloween and Christmas parties. They recognize staff birthdays, new babies, weddings, death of a loved one. You always feel a part of the team and that is excellent for your mental health."
- Donna, Claresholm General Hospital
"Every first and third Fridays are a holiday. Our health benefit program allows employees so many hours of one-to-one mental health therapy with a licenced psychologist."
- Rudy, Encana
"It may sound like three simple things, but here they are. 1) I ensure I eat lunch as close to 12 pm as possible. 2) At lunch time, I close my laptop, ignore the phone and open up a good book. I read for 15 minutes, which is my coveted 'Me time' for the day. 3) As a small business owner, I am aware that becoming a workaholic could be very easy to do - especially because I love my work so much. It is often tempting not to leave the office by 5:30 p.m. However, I consistently ensure that I shut down no later than about 6 p.m. so I can eat supper on time and keep my life in balance."
- David, Miller Family Enterprises Inc.
"We have done many different things such as: decorate offices for 'big' birthdays (30, 40, 50), have potluck lunches, going away parties, sledding parties and contests. For the staff working on Christmas Eve, we have had a potluck breakfast."
- Teri, Cold Lake Community Health Services
"(We have) team events such as snow tubing, roller skating, team lunches, slo-pitch games. Everybody pitches in to help complete work that is on tight timelines. We have several jokesters in our department and they provide plenty of levity to the workplace."
- Daryn, ATB Financial
"Our principal leads by example. Everyone in the school - teachers, office staff, students, parents - are treated with respect. We are encouraged to work together and play together as a whole team, not as separate entities within the system."
- Dawn, Mount Pleasant School
"The Royal Alex hospital has a gym called Body Worx that is a great place to go work out and work off stress. The staff in the social work department are supportive of eachother as well as are the multi-disciplinary staff on the units."
- Brenda, Royal Alex Hospital
"We have an hour of personal sharing before two of our meetings each month. This allows the team to connect and share on a personal level and works to prevent burnout, vicarious trauma and works as well to foster a well-connected and supportive workplace."
- Erin, Lethbridge Family Services
"While the top performing people are rewarded and acknowledged, efforts are made to ensure the work done by every employee is recognized and appreciated. Sunlife values employees while expecting and nurturing high standards and positive attitudes."
- Dorothy, Sunlife Financial
"The City of Spruce Grove has an employee assistance program that all staff has access to. We host an annual Safety Retreat for all staff. The City of Spruce Grove annually host a staff appreciation event. Past events have been a staff BBQ and family day at a park, a day at Fort Edmonton Park for staff and their families, a night at the horse races for staff. We have an earned day off program for support staff that allows them to work an extra half hour per day, then have a day off every third week."
- Pat, City of Spruce Grove
"Our workplace fosters good mental health because our manager strongly encourages an open door policy, meaning she is always open and encouraging us to talk to her, no matter what. We also have a dedicated staff meeting time so we can all meet, every Wednesday morning."
- Raelynn, Peace Country Health
"I work in early education. Working with young children can take its toll on everyone. But we plan a lot of luncheons or even breakfast to help relieve some stress. We usually end up doing a lot of laughing and yakking. Sometimes you just have to vent and get rid of some steam, then you can move on."
- Louise, Hazeldean School
"To start the day off on a high note, we often will pull an email or funny joke to share amongst the team. This way, we can all go off to our first appointment of the day with a big smile. It's good for us and our clients!"
- Janene, ACT Program: Mental Health Services
"At On Site Placement, we have amazing leaders who are understanding, compassionate and supportive. They trust their staff to work hard and assist if needed. We also have a social committee, which plans a team building event once a year, as well as other fun events. I love my job here and so do many others!"
- Carrie, On Site Placement