Sunday, November 23, 2025

Where to Turn When Life and Work Collide

When personal challenges start affecting work, CLAC offers compassionate guidance and practical resources to help members recover and thrive

National Ontario Healthcare

By Elizabeth Coolahan, Representative, Mississauga Member Centre

As a CLAC representative, I have the privilege of seeing members at their best—organizing Christmas parties for residents, celebrating workplace milestones, and showing care and compassion in everything they do. But I also meet members during some of their most difficult moments.

Because a representative’s role is to support workers, we’re often the first call when personal struggles begin to affect life on the job. Issues like mental health challenges, financial stress, or struggles with alcohol use and addiction can become overwhelming, leaving members unsure where to turn.

Since the pandemic, we’ve noticed that mental health concerns have grown, and requests for support have become more frequent. While representatives are not crisis counsellors, they’re often one of the first trusted people a member reaches out to when life starts to unravel. In that moment, our role is simple but powerful—to care, to listen, and to help connect the member with the support they need.

Representing the Whole Person

Sometimes, that first phone call is when a member realizes for the first time that they might need help. And when that call comes, representatives care deeply and want to help.

The first thing we do is make sure the person is okay. Then, we take the time to listen.

My job is to advocate for members and help them navigate employment challenges, but when personal struggles spill over into work, it’s not enough to focus on only one side of life. Work-life balance matters. As representatives, we don’t just represent the worker—we represent the whole person.

We often hear stories of profound hardship: grief, financial pressure, addiction, or uncertainty about the future. While we may not be experts in these areas, what drives us is compassion and a deep commitment to connect members with the right support. Each conversation is guided by care, respect, and the belief that every person deserves to be treated with dignity and understanding.

Real Help, Real People

At CLAC, we understand that sometimes the hardest part of getting help is knowing where to start. That’s why we provide practical, confidential resources for members facing personal or work-related challenges.

Support is always close at hand—whether online at myCLAC.ca or through a conversation with your representative. We offer supports that cover everything from mental health and financial wellness to addiction and recovery programs.

Alcohol and Drug Case Management Team

One of the most valuable supports available is CLAC’s Alcohol and Drug Case Management Team. Through this program, members have access to a dedicated case manager—someone in your corner who will advocate for you, create a personalized plan for recovery and success, and connect you to treatment options and community resources you may not already know about.

Your case manager also works closely with your employer to help safeguard your job while you focus on getting well. CLAC provides financial assistance to help offset treatment costs, ensuring that support is accessible when it’s needed most.

What makes this program truly special is its personal touch. It’s more than just a phone number or a pamphlet—it’s a real person walking beside you every step of the way with understanding, care, and expertise. Time and again, we’ve seen this program change lives. Members who once felt lost or ashamed have returned to work feeling healthy, confident, and hopeful about their future.

You’re Not Alone

As the days slowly grow longer and we begin a new year, remember that help is always within reach—even if you’re not sure where to begin. If your mental health or substance use is affecting your work, reach out to your representative. Many of us have completed mental health first aid training and can connect you with the right resources while helping protect your employment and options.

At CLAC, we believe that work should be a positive and fulfilling part of life. We’re proud to stand with members through every challenge and every victory, caring for you as a whole person, not just as a worker. Because true success isn’t just about what happens on the job—it’s about having the support, balance, and wellness you need both in life and at work.

Where to Turn When Life and Work Collide

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