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With Mental Illness Awareness Week (Oct. 2-8) and World Mental Health Day (Oct. 10) coming up Employee Wellness Services in Human Resources is highlighting the resources, supports, and benefits available to the Queen’s community.

Established by the Canadian Psychiatric Association and now coordinated by the Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health (CAMIMH), Mental Illness Awareness Week is an annual national public education campaign designed to open the eyes of Canadians to the reality of mental illness.

Statistics show that mental health is a key issue for Canadians:

• 1 in 3 Canadians say they are struggling with their mental health (Angus Reid Institute, 2022)
• 1 in 3 Canadians will be affected by mental illness in their lifetime (Statistics Canada 2022)
• 32 per cent of Canadian aged 18-34 say they need mental health care but can’t access it (Maru Public Opinion, 2022)
• 40 per cent of Canadians aged 18-34 say they feel like they’re at a breaking point mentally (Maru Public Opinion, 2022)

On Oct. 4, beginning at 11 am, a free webinar offered by LifeWorks Learning, the university’s Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP) provider, is available for all Queen’s employees. Leave no one behind: A total approach to workplace mental health features Paula Allen, Global Leader and SVP, Research and Total Wellbeing for Lifeworks, and Stephane Grenier, Lieutenant-Colonel (Retired), Canadian Armed Forces and mental health innovator. .

Also, during the week, Employee Wellness Services is encouraging community members to take a social media break and see what affect this has on their mental well-being.  While social media use can be informative and entertaining, the problems are well documented.  (October 2022 issue)

Members of the Employee Benefits Plan, provided by Manulife also have access to up to $1,000 coverage for services including psychotherapist family counselling, psychotherapist group therapy, and more.

For more information and resources for Mental Illness Awareness Week, visit the .

Mental health resources and information are also available through , and .