Wellness Resources
Lakehead University is committed to supporting the holistic health and well-being of our Lakehead community, recognizing that investing in the enhancement of health and wellness interventions will better position us for success. We are committed to advancing the wellbeing of our faculty and staff through the promotion of year-round Wellness initiatives that include physical and psychological health.
Regardless of the kind of work you do or where you are on the organizational food chain, the toughest part of your job is likely not the work itself. Chances are your greatest challenge is keeping yourself emotionally healthy and maintaining a balanced attitude towards others around you.
When we come to work, we bring all aspects of ourselves – the things we’re thinking of or experiencing that bring us sadness or joy, anguish or pleasure. Between our emotional ups and coping with the mental health challenges of others – can be a daily challenge.
The Canadian stats show that at least 20 per cent of the population will have a mental illness sometime in their life. That tells only one part of the story. That one-in-five statistic identifies only those with a diagnosable illness, and only those who have sought out medical help. The stat doesn’t reflect the whole picture. You know from your own experience of being in workplaces that there are many others who display a host of behaviours that reflect poor mental health. The effects can often leave people feeling confused, hurt or shut down. Dealing with different kinds of health issues is never a simple or straightforward matter.
Addressing mental health issues at work can be tough. It’s not always clear who’s struggling. Often those who struggle are not sick enough to stay at home yet not well enough to be fully engaged at work. They show up – present in body but not in spirit. Their behaviour may be difficult. It’s not always clear how to respond — professionally or personally.
Whether you’re dealing with someone’s mental illness in the workplace from the perspective of a leader or a colleague, the question remains: how can mental health issues be addressed so that everyone succeeds, and is given the support they need? According to recent surveys, there is a considerable difference in perceptions about the effectiveness and perceived behaviour of support. We need to create work environments that are emotionally safe and address issues so everyone succeeds
(source: Mental Health Works)
Here are some resources available to Lakehead University’s employees (Faculty and staff) to help themselves and others:
You're Invited!
Register today and share this invitation with your coworkers!
* All workshops are FREE!
* Workshops will be hosted by Thunder Bay District Health Unit and offered over Zoom.
* Workshops will be recorded and a link to the recording will be shared with registered participants afterward.
Elevate Your Mental Health - The 3 Be's for Mental Well-Being After Challenging Times
Looking to elevate your mental health? Want to better understand actions that help pandemic recovery and protect your mental health and the well-being of others? In this session, we will unpack the 3 Be’s for exploring a toolkit of strategies that contribute to mental wellness both individually, in work teams, and in our families, without adding more to the “to-do” list. This workshop is perfect for those that want to increase their awareness, prevent burnout and learn deliberate actions for flourishing and taking care.
Choose from:
* Thursday, November 24, 2022 from 10:30 am to noon; or
* Tuesday, November 29, 2022 from 7:00 - 8:30 pm
Psychological Health & Safety in the Workplace – The Key Factors for Resilient, Engaged & Thriving Teams
Do you worry about burnout and the impact that the pandemic has had on your staff? Are you kept up at night trying to figure out how to be an even better leader? Do you feel too busy to research how to support a resilient and engaged team? Organizations that incorporate psychological health and safety into their workplace culture are shown to be more productive and have higher levels of employee satisfaction, engagement, and retention. Whether you are a formal or informal leader, if you are interested in exploring the psychosocial factors that help staff to be well at work, this session is for you. You’ll get to reflect on what’s most important now for leading others while finding your own stability, preventing your own burnout, and bolstering your resilience.
* Thursday, December 8, 2022, from 10:30 am to noon
Visit SuperiorMentalWellnessAtWork for more information and to register.
Wellness at your finger tips
Here you will find resources available to faculty and staff as well as many Canadians on an ongoing basis, supporting mental health and wellbeing.
The above link provides many resources for Employees as well as Supervisors and we encourage you to explore these sites and utilize tools that meet your needs.
Mental Health Works is a social enterprise of the Canadian Mental Health Association.
All Workplace Strategies for Mental Health resources are available to anyone at no cost, compliments of Canada Life.
Wellness Together - Free virtual or phone mental health and substance use support, resources, and counseling with a mental health professional. Often can be connected same day. There are also free resources and articles that cover topics like managing stress etc.
Bounceback - Free skill-building program managed by the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA). It is designed to help adults and youth 15+ manage low mood, mild to moderate depression and anxiety, stress or worry. Delivered over the phone with a coach and through online videos, you will get access to tools that will support you on your path to mental wellness.
Green Shield Newsletter
GSC Update, a monthly email that consolidates everything you need to know into one spot, with quick-hitting updates and timely reminders. You can get these newsletter emails directly to your inbox.
Change4Life
Want a chance to win a $200 gift card prize pack? It’s simple!
Complete your health risk assessment (HRA) on Change4Life® between October 1 and December 31 and you’ll automatically be entered in the draw to win one of eight $200 gift card prize packs. Plus, you’ll earn points to bid on gift cards in the reward store – giving you even more chances to win.
Have you checked out Tranquility by Inkblot?
As a quick reminder, Tranquility by Inkblot is a digital internet-based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (iCBT) platform that helps to manage anxiety and depression. If you are looking for mental health services from the comfort of home, this platform provides interactive learning modules and tools to help you develop positive coping strategies and reduce life-disrupting symptoms.
This program, available at a discount for GSC plan members residing in Canada and their eligible dependents (age 15+), may be partially or fully covered under your benefit plan. Even if it isn’t covered, the lower rates are still available. Learn More...
Vision care options, from the comfort of home
GSC and KITS, a leading Canadian eyewear e-retailer, have joined forces to help you get the most out of your vision care coverage. With exclusive offers and a seamless checkout process (plus integration with GSC everywhere to reduce out-of-pocket costs), shopping for prescription eyewear has never been easier! Check It Out!
Managing your dependents’ information via GSC everywhere
If changing information about your dependents for your benefits plan means filling in a form or contacting your benefits administrator, we have good news for you. Starting on September 28, 2022, a new feature will be available on the GSC everywhere website that enables you to manage dependent information quickly and easily – 24/7/365. This includes adding a new dependent, such as a spouse (married or common law) or a child (through birth, adoption, or legal guardianship), updating dependent information, such as their name, date of birth, sex, and in-school status, and removing a dependent, such as in a separation or divorce. Read more...
Employee Health, Safety and Wellness
This team within Human Resources provides information, guidance and support regarding short or long-term sick leave and accommodation plans for employees with disabilities. Visit the Health and Safety page for more information.