Our values at the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) of New Brunswick are to be a supportive, non-judgmental, compassionate, and inclusive workplace. In that same breath, we must recognize that working is just one part of our employees’ lives—many of them are caregivers outside of their role with us.

We recognize the importance of both physical and mental health and understand that people cannot care for their loved ones without taking care of their mental health. We often speak about wellness with our staff, particularly during our staff calls, along with providing education classes on overall wellness and having regular check-ins with employees.

We wanted to make sure that our policies match the values that we express. As a result, we have shifted from “sick time” to “health time,” which allows for broader use by employees, and we provide additional wellness hours. We also encourage employees to request accommodations like alternative schedules or flex workspaces if it will help them balance their caregiving responsibilities and roles outside of work.

Supporting caregiving workers starts with compassion. We are a non-profit organization and often turn to creative solutions for providing support to our employees. However, it’s important to note that a 2019 Deloitte study found that companies with mental health programs in place for one year had a median annual ROI of $1.67 for every dollar invested. These supports also reduce turnover rates by preventing employee burnout.

There is also a serious case to be made for government investments in mental health and wellness. Half a million Canadians miss work every week due to mental illness, and 60–80% of doctor visits are due to stress-related health problems. Once we begin to recognize that mental health and physical health are equally as important, we will reap the benefits from a healthier workforce.

-Kristen Barnes, Director of Operations, Canadian Mental Health Association, New Brunswick