CivicAction Makes 1.5 Million MindsMatter after First Year of Workplace Mental Health Program

TORONTO, Dec. 7, 2017 /CNW/ - One and a half million employees are poised to benefit from more mental health-supportive workplaces, thanks to CivicAction's free MindsMatter online assessment. Since the program's launch one year ago, over 600 employers from across Canada have completed the bilingual tool which provides employers with three actions and resources to better support their people's mental health.

In a recent survey to participants, approximately two-thirds had completed at least one of their MindsMatter actions or were planning to take that next step. Participants pointed to a number of activities they've spearheaded in their organization including the creation of an online wellness page, employee surveys on mental health, and investing in additional training.    

"Research told us that employers wanted to do more for their people, but lacked the time, resources, and know-how," said CivicAction CEO Sevaun Palvetzian. "In only three minutes, MindsMatter gives organizations the onramp for action, and that first or next step that converts intentions to actions."

While 74% of MindsMatter participants reported their organization has an Employee and Family Assistance Program, visible leadership continues to be elusive, with only 28% of participants surveyed saying they were aware of senior leadership publicly demonstrating their commitment to mental health. Additionally, only 17% of participants surveyed said senior leadership had established a process to track the mental well-being of the organization.

"Senior leaders need to show they're committed to better workplace mental health through words and actions," said Paula Allen, Vice President of Research and Integrative Solutions at Morneau Shepell and Co-chair of CivicAction's Mental Health in the Workplace Champions Council. "Employees need to see that an organization, from the top down, is intentionally reducing the risk of mental health issues in the first place, in addition to supporting people in times of need."

To date, a total of 1,800 actions have been provided to organizations across Canada through the assessment. Part of CivicAction's next phase of work will be to tell stories of the difference these actions make, some of which are already located in the MindsMatter Knowledge Hub. 

"We know not everyone is starting from the ground floor, which is promising" said Rupert Duchesne, Former Group Chief Executive of Aimia Inc. and Co-chair of CivicAction's Mental Health in the Workplace Champions Council. "The great thing about MindsMatter is that it responds to whatever stage an organization may find itself in supporting its employees."

See where your organization stands. Complete the MindsMatter tool here in English: http://mindsmatter.civicaction.ca, and here in French: http://soutienbienetre.civicaction.ca.      

Our thanks to Cision for sponsoring this announcement.

CivicAction's MindsMatter is brought to you through support from the Government of Ontario, Bell Let's Talk, Morneau Shepell, Aimia, Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation, CGI, the Mental Health Commission of Canada, Willis Towers Watson, CN, and Metrolinx.                           

About CivicAction: Since 2002, CivicAction has brought together senior executives and rising leaders from all sectors to tackle some of our region's toughest challenges. CivicAction sets a non-partisan agenda, builds strategic partnerships and launches campaigns, programs and organizations that transform our region. To find out more visit www.civicaction.ca or follow us on twitter at @CivicActionGTHA.

About CivicAction's MindsMatter Program: CivicAction's MindsMatter program leverages the workplace as a resource by helping employers quickly know where their organization is at in supporting people's mental health and how to better support them. The program was developed in partnership with over forty organizations on CivicAction's Mental Health Champions Council and Advisory Group.

The content for the MindsMatter assessment was developed by the Mental Health Commission of Canada with the financial support of Health Canada. Technology assistance is thanks to Morneau Shepell with branding and creative by PUBLIC Inc. To find out more visit civicaction.ca/mindsmatter or civicaction.ca/soutienbienetre.

SOURCE CivicAction