May 2021
"What we don’t need in the midst of struggle, is shame for being human.” -Brene Brown
Hello! Hola! Bonjour! Ciao! Salut! Salaam! Ni Hao!
Mental Health Week in Canada is May 3 – 9 and the theme this year is #GetReal. The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) is asking Canadians to #GetReal about how they feel. “Name it, don’t numb it.”
So, let’s get real for a few minutes. The rate of mental illness is increasing in Canada and around the world. The global pandemic - and the many challenges that it has brought with it - was like throwing a match on a simmering fire. It took an existing health crisis and made it worse.
According to the CMHA, prior to the pandemic, it was estimated that one in five Canadians would experience a mental health challenge at some point in their lifetime. Fast forward to today and that number is very different: “COVID-19 has affected every aspect of our lives, including our mental health. 40% of Canadians say their mental health has declined due to COVID-19, and people already struggling with their mental health are more likely to say their mental health had declined due to the pandemic.”
With the line between work life and home life blurred significantly over this past year, mental illness is a very real issue impacting workplaces across our country and worldwide. Supporting employees and colleagues who are struggling, often while you yourself may also be struggling, can feel overwhelming. Read our blog post and learn about some things you can do now to normalize the topic of mental health in the workplace and nurture psychological health and safety.
In the wise words of sociologist and author Brene Brown, “What we don’t need in the midst of struggle, is shame for being human.”
MHCC CSMC. (2018, Nov 26) National Standard for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace (the Standard)[video]. YouTube.
Mark Your Calendars
May 3-9 - Mental Health Week
May 17 - International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, Biphobia
May 21 - World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development
May 25 - Anniversary of the murder of George Floyd
International days observed by the UN
Download our EDI Calendar for FREE here
Between the Pages
Here's what we're reading this month. Join us!
Man Down: A Guide for Men on Mental Health by Charlie Hoare
Emotional Agility by Susan David PhD
Reasons to Stay Alive by Matt Haig
Drink: The Intimate Relationship Between Women and Alcohol by Ann Dowsett Johnston
For kids:
The Boy with Big, Big Feelings by Britney Winn Lee, Jacob Souva
Mindful Kids 50 Mindfulness Activities for Kindness, Focus and Calm
