Employees want more than lip service when it comes to mental health support
BNN Bloomberg
"Being open about mental health is a lot more than just publishing a post on Instagram on World Mental Health Day or World Suicide Prevention Day"
TORONTO -- Bhagyashri Pawar was surprised to see a previous employer make headlines last year for its investments in mental health programs for its staff.
"Having worked there, I never figured out where these efforts were made," said the 31-year-old Toronto-based online marketing manager.
Pawar said the company refused to allow employees to work remotely during pandemic lockdown measures until several employees tested positive for COVID-19. Many employees -- some of whom were considered high risk -- were anxious about catching COVID-19 during work hours or their commute, she added, but the company didn't provide any support or solutions for those concerns.
"Being open about mental health is a lot more than just publishing a post on Instagram on World Mental Health Day or World Suicide Prevention Day," Pawar said.
"It's great that so many organizations are speaking up about mental health, but at the same time, they shouldn't be forgetting to actually show empathy."
Experts say younger employees such as Pawar are seeking work environments where they can speak candidly about mental health and receive proactive support from their employers.
