The state of an individual’s mental health determines their thoughts, interactions, and decisions made on a daily basis; all of which are considered necessary actions to function in a workplace environment. This alone should inspire unions to place their member’s mental health at a top priority, not only for the allowance of a coherent environment but for the economic advantages a healthy mindset can present. The Mental Health Commission of Canada states, ‘One in five people in Canada will experience a mental health problem or illness in any given year, with a cost of over $50 billion to our economy.’ In order to integrate the development and acceptance of mental health within the CUPE 70 workplace, it is crucial to provide an education of mental health, diminish the stigma it carries, and provide resources and support to members who seek help.
Mental health education helps to alleviate the misconceptions and
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In order to further reduce the stigma, a focus needs to be placed on union employees feeling safe in the workplace if they’re put in a vulnerable state due to their mental wellness. As stated in the CUPE Alberta Equality Statement, ‘We should neither condone nor tolerate behavior that undermines the dignity or self-esteem of any individual or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment.’, this is essential in creating a safe environment for union members. Employees should be encouraged to come forward with issues concerning their mental state without fear of judgment, punitive measures or being marginalized. Instead, the response should be an overwhelming sense of support from the union and resources available to the individual. This response, in turn, implements a procedure for others in a similar state to seek help without intimidation and which furthermore, diminishes the stigma surrounding mental