Thursday, March 17, 2022 Making Time for Mental Health Canadians still aren’t doing as much as they can to take advantage of the mental health programs offered to them Guide Magazine According to a survey by LifeWorks, one of the biggest challenges is that many Canadians don’t know what supports are available to them, though most do have some access through their employer. Another challenge is the cost of seeking help on one’s own. Lack of time, energy, and knowledge surrounding their personal needs were also cited as factors hindering their ability to pursue assistance. While not always immediately apparent, there are activities and habits that can suggest a mental health issue in the making, such as substance abuse. According to a survey by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, half of cannabis users reported increasing their consumption over the course of the pandemic. This is supported by numbers from Statistics Canada, which reports that just over one-third of cannabis users increased their uptake during this time. The best plan of attack is to be proactive by learning about what supports are available to you. Contact your representative or steward to find out more. CLAC also offers a mental health first aid training course that gives people the skills to provide early intervention to a person developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis. For more information, visit clac.ca/training. Sources: hrreporter.com, CAMH CANADIANS AND MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT 54% – Don’t believe they need it 31% – Have taken steps to address their mental health 14% – Would like to take steps to address it 30% – Say affordability is the biggest barrier Source: LifeWorks WHERE YOU CAN TURN LifeWorks (CLAC’s EFAP provider) is here to support our members and their families with resources as individuals continue to process the ongoing events in the Ukraine. A Crisis Support Line is now open. While the standard EFAP lines remain open, LifeWorks has also opened a Crisis Support Line for anyone in need of emotional support in relation to these events. The Crisis Support Line is open 24/7 and can be reached, as follows: o Canada at 1-844-751-2133 o United States at 1-877-757-7587 o United Kingdom at 0800 088 5339 o Ireland at 1800 817 227 By calling, individuals will receive professional emotional support and/or referral to community resources. You might be interested in Why We Work Safely 5 Jun 2026 Standing Your Ground, and Staying Steady on the Job 4 Jun 2026 CLAC Partners with Alberta Government to Advance Skilled Trades Training and Accelerate Certification 4 Jun 2026 Strathcona Mechanical Workers Ratify New Agreement Providing Wage, Scheduling Improvements 3 Jun 2026