Workplace Options will be joining in the 11^th annual Bell Let’s Talk Day this Thursday, January 28. This is an opportunity to help drive awareness of mental health services, living up to our mission “We help people.”

Given the events of 2020, this Bell Let’s Talk Day is more important than ever. In January 2021, the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) reports that 38 percent of Canadians have seen a decline in their mental health since COVID. According to the association’s Mental Health Commission, on any given week, mental health issues prevent more than 500,000 Canadians from performing their work.

On Bell Let’s Talk Day, Bell donates 5 cents to Canadian mental health programs for every applicable text, local or long-distance call, social media filters, and posts using the #BellLetsTalk hashtag. This year’s campaign is centered around the diversity of actions that we can all take to combat mental health stigma. They have set up a Community Fund to improve access to mental health; a Diversity Fund to support the mental health and wellbeing of POC communities and recently launched the National Standard for Mental Health and Well-Being of Post-Secondary Students.

That’s why Workplace Options is participating in Bell Let’s Talk Day to help create positive change.

As a leading global provider of employee wellbeing services, we are committed to providing the employees we serve and their family members with the highest level of mental health support. COVID-19 has highlighted an overwhelming need for these services. Between March and September 2020, we recorded a 18.6 percent increase in calls from people wanting to talk to a professional counselor. Participating in Bell Let’s Talk Day allows us to build awareness, acceptance and take action in promoting mental health support.

Here are some further mental health support resources in Canada:

• The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) facilitates access to the resources people require to maintain and improve mental health and community integration, build resilience, and support recovery from mental illness: https://cmha.ca
• Crisis Canada – The Canada Suicide Prevention Service: https://www.crisisservicescanada.ca/en
• Bounce Back™is a free program offered by the CMHA: https://bounceback.cmha.ca
• The National Standard for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace – https://www.workplaceoptions.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/National-Standard-for-Psychological-Health-and-Safety-in-the-Workplace.pdf

Workplace Options helps employees balance their work, family, and personal needs to become healthier, happier, and more productive, both personally and professionally. The company’s world-class employee support, effectiveness, and wellbeing services provide information, resources, referrals, and consultation on a variety of issues ranging from dependent care and stress management to clinical services and wellness programs. To learn more visit www.workplaceoptions.ca.