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Colleagues in Crisis
Suicidal ideation figures highlight the true need for better support at work
In recent years, there has been a noticeable change in how mental health is perceived and addressed in the workplace. But is this change enough?
In February 2024, Wysa commissioned an independent survey involving over 2,000 Canadian employees, seeking insights into their experiences with mental health support in the workplace and their own experience of mental health struggles.
The overall takeaway? A significant number of individuals are grappling with severe mental health crises, including thoughts of self-harm and suicidal ideation, yet many are not receiving adequate support from their employers.
Key findings
Not only are a significant number of Canadian employees impacted by their own mental health struggles, but they are also concerned for the well-being of their colleagues and are uncertain about how to help. Particularly alarming is the impact on younger workers, who are twice as likely to be bothered by thoughts of self-harm or suicide, yet are less likely to seek professional support.
The data highlights a critical gap in support and emphasizes the need for immediate action to safeguard the mental well-being of employees, especially those in vulnerable age groups.
Download the Report
Many individuals are at risk of self-harm or suicide, yet a worrying number of workplaces are failing to provide adequate support not only to those individuals but to all employees. This glaring gap in mental health assistance not only leaves employees vulnerable but also contributes to a culture of silence, where individuals may hesitate to seek help for fear of negative repercussions.
This report highlights the widespread occurrence of mental health crises across Canadian workplaces, indicating an urgent need for comprehensive training in risk assessment and crisis response across all industries.
Key questions addressed include: How many employees are facing mental health crises? What are the current workplace experiences of employees? What would they do if they were facing mental health crises? How do they anticipate their employer responding to mental health struggles? And importantly, how do they wish their employers would respond?
It's crucial that comprehensive support systems are available to all individuals, irrespective of whether they disclose their mental health challenges.