The Center for Disease Control and Prevention defines mental health as “our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act.” Knowing when someone is struggling with their mental health is not always easy, but changes to an individual’s behaviour can be an indicator that they are not doing well and may need support.

‍In the world of business, the significance of employees' mental health cannot be overstated. As organizations continue to adapt to the changing dynamics of a modern workforce, fostering healthy workplaces ultimately ties productivity to employee wellness. This article details various effective workplace mental health strategies, providing actionable steps for managers and organizational leaders.

The most courageous thing you can do for yourself is committing to getting the right help you need. Beginning to see yourself as worthy of support is life- changing. When someone has decided to make the decision to get help, the next step is discovering the right type of support. That can be done through understanding the different types of therapy modules that are out there. Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, is the most commonly used therapy. It is the practice of speaking with a mental health professional to communicate and work through identified issues that cause emotional distress. In this article, we will dive into the different types of talk therapy available.

The dramatic shift to remote work due to the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a myriad of changes in our lives, including our mental health. The concept of mental health working from home has now become a topic of prominent interest among health professionals, employers, and workers alike. This comprehensive guide delves into the various aspects of remote work and its effects on mental health, offering practical advice for maintaining wellness in the virtual workplace.

When people suffer from anxiety, they often feel misunderstood and unheard. They wish there were more people out there who were willing to listen and talk to them about it. We're going to get personal today. We're going to talk about anxiety, the common struggle that affects so many of us. The good news is that you're not alone, you can beat it and I'm going to tell you how to do it. But before we dive into all of that, let's talk about why this topic is so important. I know I sound like your mom but there are literally thousands of people watching right now, maybe tens of thousands, and they're all struggling with some form of anxiety. So much of the time, I feel like anxiety is a part of life that no one talks about and it's really not discussed in school or in the media. But it affects so many of us. There are studies that show over 80% of the population is affected by some form of anxiety and it can affect our ability to function or even our lives. Here are the Top 3 Thin ...

Crisis intervention is a process of providing immediate assistance to someone who is in a state of crisis. It involves providing support, guidance, and resources to the individual to help them manage their crisis. Crisis intervention is a set of strategies used to address the immediate needs of a person in crisis and to prevent further crisis from occurring. In this article, we will explore how crisis response can help in crisis intervention. The importance of crisis intervention Mental health crises are often scary and confusing, but they don’t have to lead to long-term damage. Crisis intervention is the first step in preventing this damage from happening. If a crisis intervention is unable to resolve the situation or the person in crisis has a recurring pattern, the situation may lead to a mental health crisis. If this happens, it often becomes a long-term problem for the person experiencing a crisis. Depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues can become long-term problems if ...

Supportive listening is a technique that enables a person to demonstrate concern during a conversation. Whether it is a client, a friend or even a co-worker, supportive listening has the ability to deepen connections in addition to defusing and clarifying thoughts. It is a skill that can enhance the quality of a relationship. Being heard, understood, and respected builds a foundation for future conversations. LISTENING A conversation can start simply enough with one question: can I talk to you?”. But what is really being asked is “will you listen to me?”. There is a connection that can take place when a person feels safe to share feelings and experiences, and know they’re being heard. A catharsis occurs when two people are engaged in a productive conversation. When done with skill and care, a person in need of a listening ear can leave the conversation feeling like some of the emotional burden is lifted and perhaps the situation will be less overwhelming. Sometimes it takes ...

Addiction is one of the toughest problems a family can face. Learning that a loved one is battling an addiction to drugs or alcohol can be shocking and sad, and can sometimes cause panic. It’s natural for family members to feel hopeless at times, even frightened or overwhelmed. To “take care of yourself”, is the best advice you can give someone who has a loved one dealing with an addiction. We’ll cover this topic thoroughly, first, however, let’s review the signs of an addiction. RECOGNIZING A PROBLEM To say that these are uncertain times is an understatement. Not only are we facing constant economic concerns and high levels of unemployment, but we’re also in the middle of a global pandemic. Consuming drugs and alcohol to cope with such stress is common, that doesn’t, however, make it right. Some common signs that your loved one has a problem include: Neglecting responsibility at home, work or school.  Binging or consuming more than intended. Lyin ...

Culture & Stigma: A Barrier to Mental Health Access Written by Amelia Lomat Simply put, stigma is the lens that negatively impacts the way we view and think about groups of people or individuals in our life, often leading to social isolation. The word derives from the Greek term that signified a mark of shame usually branded or tattooed on criminals and delinquents to differentiate them from the general population. Stigmas nowadays go beyond physical identifiers. One way, in particular, is the stigmas for those who have a mental illness, which affect the way an individual feels about themselves, their future and their likelihood to reach out for help. Though mental illness stigma plays a large part in how we look at mental illnesses like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or obsessive-compulsive disorder, there has been a shift regarding mental health topics like wellness, anxiety, and depression and their acceptance in mainstream society. However, this isn't the case for all Canadians, especia ...

Checking in with Yourself: Post-Pandemic  Written by Tricia Korbut Manager of System Navigation and Information Services at ConnexOntario This pandemic has been going on for a long time. We’re living through what feels like an eternal Canadian winter, and spring remains just beyond our grasp. It hangs on us like a winter coat and weighs our steps with heavy boots. Cautiously, we’ve unzipped and enjoyed some warmth, only to grudgingly zip up again to brace against more winter weather. We are lurching through COVID strains and emotional pains.  The reality is, our post-pandemic adjustment is about living in a state of flux. Post pandemic has come to mean, “be prepared, for anything, all the time.” There is no magic solution to living in this post- pandemic-COVID world and its variant cousins. We cannot wish it away, nor can we tuck ourselves away, waiting for the day it finally passes. We are bombarded with conflicting media reports and medical information. Whe ...