Mental Health Week, May 3 to 9, 2021

Mental Health Week, May 3 to 9, 2021

At ECCC, employees’ well-being and mental health are a priority and will always remain so. This topic is especially timely in light of the unusual, and sometimes challenging, circumstances that have required us to adapt our daily routines. Indeed, unprecedented work has been done to promote available resources, foster a culture of care and improve psychological health and safety in the workplace.

In the midst of these efforts, we need to remember how to recharge, cultivate relationships, and show kindness. This calls for us to understand, acknowledge and listen to our feelings, a good practice for both difficult periods and every stage of life.

With this year marking the 70^th annual Mental Health Week, which will be held from May 3 to 9, we encourage you all to pay attention to your mental health, to take action to improve your well‑being and that of others, and to #GetReal about how you feel with family, colleagues and those around you. You are not alone.

We invite you to participate in the virtual activities and events taking place during Mental Health Week, and to learn more about the behaviours and actions that can support your mental health in the workplace.

Virtual activities and events

• May 4, 2021, 1:30 to 3 pm (EDT): Preventing burnout with Daniel Nadon – Learn about tools and strategies to minimize the risk of burnout in this presentation hosted by the Canadian Innovation Centre for Mental Health in the Workplace.
• May 5, 2021, 1:30 to 3 pm (EDT): #GetReal for Mental Health Week – The Centre of Expertise on Mental Health in the Workplace, in collaboration with the Canada School of Public Service, is building on the Canadian Mental Health Association’s theme, #GetReal about how you feel: name it, don’t numb it, to raise awareness around mental health, alcohol consumption and substance use during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• May 5 (English) and May 6 (French), 2021, between 8:30 am and 6 pm (EDT): LifeSpeak: Mental Health Marathon, access the group account. Get answers to your mental health questions on topics such as anxiety and depression, children’s mental health, mental health in the workplace, and much more, in the Ask the Expert web chat led by mental health experts.
• May 19 (French) and May 20 (English), 2021, 1:30 to 3 pm (EDT): Stress and anxiety in French / Stress and anxiety in English – The Canadian Mental Health Association offers you a better understanding of stress and anxiety in current circumstances, their distinction and impact on mental health, as well as skills and strategies to mitigate them.
• Take a health break and follow a 10-minute online yoga or meditation session.

Tools and resources

• Did you know that ECCC has developed fact sheets on the main psychosocial factors in the workplace? Take a look at the latest factsheet, which will help you manage your daily workload.
• Did you know that the LifeSpeak virtual library offers more than 1,000 videos on various subjects, including mental health and COVID-19? Use the group account.
• Did you know that ECCC offers access to a multitude of tools and resources related to mental health and psychological health and safety, all in one place? Check out the ECCC mental health toolbox and the new tools available to you.

Mental health assistance

If you need help, know that you are not alone and that help is at hand. Contact the free confidential Employee Assistance Program, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, at 1‑800‑268‑7708 (TTY: 1‑800‑567-5803 for hearing impaired persons).

Have a great Mental Health Week and take care!