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The importance of Mental Health Awareness Month

Mental Health Awareness Month is recognized in May and globally on 10 October for World Mental Health Day. Mental health is often one of the least visible and least discussed issues in diversity and inclusion practices. However, mental health challenges, such as depression, can significantly impact job performance, engagement, and contribute to higher disability and unemployment rates.

Masculine stereotypes and mental health

Masculine stereotypes create a narrow set of acceptable behaviors, causing distress when men feel they don’t conform. High levels of masculine stereotypes in workplaces can lead to burnout, sleep issues, and poor psychological well-being. To counter this, companies should encourage discussions about healthy masculinity and inclusive behavior, highlight available mental health resources for men, and utilize gender partnership training.

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Mental health issues are costly

  • $6.3 billion

    is the estimated loss in productivity due to mental illness in Canada each year.

  • $200 million

    is the estimated number of lost workdays in the US each year because of depression.

Companies should invest in mental wellness

For organizations committed to inclusion, addressing mental health is vital. A survey found 91% of employees want employers to prioritize their psychological health, valuing behavioral health benefits highly when considering job offers. On-demand mental health support ranked above perks like gym memberships or financial services.

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    Men’s mental health is suffering at work

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    • Employee wellness
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    • ERGs
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    Healthy masculinity and other takeaways from real change with MARC

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    • Gender partnership
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    • Employee wellness

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    • Frontline employees
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    • Employee wellness
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    Supporting mental health in the workplace

    Avoid excessive stress and burnout in your employees by learning how you can prioritize mental health at your organization.

    • Employee wellness
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    Jaqueline Oliveira-Cella talks about how to prioritize holistic well-being through company benefits and workplace culture.

    • Employee wellness
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    • Caretakers

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    Episode 106: From taboo to topical: Menopause in the workplace

    Janet Ko from the Menopause Foundation of Canada busts myths about menopause and flips the workplace taboo on its head.

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    • Frontline employees
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    Episode 105: Broadening gender in workplace DEI

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    • Gender partnership
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    Episode 103: What does Gen Z want in a workplace?

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    Watch this roundtable to learn about the role of organizations in supporting those going through menopause.

    • Employee wellness
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    • Stereotypes and bias

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    • Employee wellness
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