A Canada-wide study reveals a worrying mental health problem in small and medium-sized enterprises, with around 55% of workers affected. It highlights the responsibility of employers, who must not only look after the physical health of their employees, but also take into account their psychological well-being, in accordance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
While employers are not mental health specialists, they do have a crucial role to play, not least in directing their employees to the appropriate resources to support them in times of crisis. In this context, the West Island Crisis Centre offers essential support to companies faced with stressful or traumatic events, such as workplace accidents, harassment or bereavement.
The Centre offers two main forms of support:
1. Individual support: The Centre's specialists intervene directly with employees or teams in distress, to provide immediate help and prevent the harmful effects of psychological distress.
2. Team support: The Centre also offers prevention workshops to strengthen team commitment, develop a culture of well-being and prevent mental health problems within companies.
It's imperative that employers don't feel isolated in the face of these challenges. By collaborating with professionals, they can create a healthy work environment, reduce stress and prevent psychological distress among their employees.