How mental health workers can improve workplace wellness

The latest data from Statistics Canada (StatCan) reveals that the average Canadian spends around 40 to 45 hours each week at work. These figures show that the workplace is more than just a place to earn a paycheque; it’s also where employees spend most of their waking hours.

With today’s fast-paced work environment, it’s vital that employers recognize the importance of mental health in the overall well-being of their workers. When mentally healthy, employees are more productive, engaged, and ready to take on challenges. Mental health workers are key in ensuring that employees get the support they need.

In this article, Benefits and Pensions Monitor lists the different types of mental health professionals and discusses how they can help workers thrive in their careers. We also talked to an industry expert who explained the benefits of having mental health specialists in the workplace.

If you want to gain a deeper understanding of how mental health workers can help companies foster a healthier and more inclusive work culture, you’ve come to the right place. Read on and find out how these professionals can boost workplace wellness in this guide.

What do mental health workers do?

As the name suggests, mental health workers play an important role in supporting individuals experiencing mental health problems and personal challenges. They are also key in helping people improve their overall well-being.

Mental health professionals are employed in various settings. These include hospitals, community agencies, mental health centres, correctional facilities, and schools. Private businesses can also hire the services of these specialists.

Here are some of the key responsibilities of mental health workers that make them an integral part of every workplace:

• Assessment and support: These professionals assess an employee’s emotional, psychological, and social needs to help them manage symptoms, develop coping strategies, and build action plans to improve their mental well-being.
• Counselling and crisis intervention: Mental health workers provide one-on-one and group counselling sessions tailored to the different needs of employees. They also offer crisis intervention services if workers face mental health emergencies.
• Collaboration: Mental health specialists work closely with healthcare providers, social services agencies, and other professionals to ensure a holistic approach to patient care. This may involve coordinating with psychologists, social workers, peer support counsellors, or community organizations to support patients effectively.
• Program implementation: Mental health specialists organize and run programs aimed at promoting workplace wellness. These include workshops on coping mechanisms, life skills development, and substance-abuse recovery programs.
• Education and advocacy: These professionals help educate employees about mental health issues. They also advocate for inclusive mental health services that cater to workers in diverse backgrounds.

Cultivating a healthy and supportive workplace, however, goes beyond just enlisting the services of a mental health specialist, according to an industry expert.

“Investing in mental health isn’t just about hiring a mental health professional – it’s about implementing thoughtful, strategic programs and support systems,” said Christina Fuda, mental health first-aid coordinator at Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences.

“An organization's mental health framework can facilitate employees' success by providing tools and strategies that improve their mental well-being and work performance. They help reduce stigma, address mental health issues proactively, and offer support tailored to individual needs.”

As a best practice, organizations should consider implementing the National Standard for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace. This guide outlines 15 key psychosocial factors that can help create a safer and more supportive work environment.

Get practical tips on how companies can promote mental health in the workplace in this guide.

Types of mental health workers available to support your staff

Canada is home to around 655,000 mental health professionals, according to the latest figures from the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI). This number translates to about 1,720 specialists per population of 100,000. These professionals specialize in different areas and provide counselling and care to all Canadians, not just employees.

These are the most common types of mental health professionals in Canada:

1. Clinical counsellors

Clinical counsellors focus on emotional wellness. They help patients cope with different life stressors, including financial, relationship, and work-related issues.

Counsellors aren’t trained to diagnose and treat mental health illnesses. The services they provide are also often shorter in duration compared to those of other mental health workers.

2. Family physicians

Family physicians, also referred to as family doctors, are considered as primary care givers as people often discuss their mental health problems with these professionals first. Family physicians provide treatment through medication or psychotherapy, although most will refer patients to specialists for therapy services. They can also connect patients with social support services or refer them to funded mental health programs.

3. Marriage counsellors and family therapists

Marriage counsellors help couples resolve marital conflicts. Family therapists, meanwhile, provide mental health care for any member of the family, including parents, co-parents, children, and grandparents. These mental health professionals provide treatment for clinical issues stemming from distress and dysfunction in the family. 

4. Occupational therapists

Occupational therapists treat patients suffering from emotional and psychological problems to help them maintain or restore their ability to work, perform in school, or engage in recreational activities. Mental health, however, is just a part of the work these professionals may do. Many occupational therapists don’t provide mental health care services.

5. Peer support workers

Peer support workers, sometimes called peer counsellors, draw on their personal experiences with mental health issues to assist others in navigating similar challenges. Unlike traditional counsellors or therapists, these specialists offer guidance born out of shared understanding, making them uniquely equipped to establish connections with people.

Learn more about the importance of having peer support workers in the workplace in this guide.

6. Psychiatrists

Psychiatrists are medical doctors trained in diagnosing and treating mental health disorders. These professionals may specialize in treating certain mental illnesses or age groups. They provide treatment through medication, psychotherapy, psychosocial intervention, and other means depending on the patient’s needs.

Psychiatrists often conduct assessments and short-term follow-up consultations. They don’t provide ongoing therapy or care beyond the initial assessment period. 

7. Psychologists

Psychologists specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of behavioural and mental problems. These professionals often provide different types of psychotherapy to address a range of mental health issues. These include addiction, grief, phobia, trauma, and personality disorders. 

8. Psychotherapists

Psychotherapists are mental health workers who help treat mild to severe dysfunction stemming from mental health disorders. They provide treatment to help patients address and change negative behaviour, feelings, and thought patterns.

9. Registered psychiatric nurses

Registered psychiatric nurses are trained to assess, address, and monitor behavioural and mental health issues. They provide rehabilitation services and engage in activities that promote mental well-being. This type of mental health worker may not be available in some provinces and territories.

10. Social workers

Licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs) specialize in treating mental health issues. These professionals are also called registered clinical social workers (RCSWs) in some jurisdictions.

Patients often turn to clinical social workers when they’re dealing with personal, family, or work-related problems. These professionals help identify the root causes of mental health issues to provide clients with coping strategies. LCSWs are skilled in psychotherapy and counselling.

Find out how a licensed clinical social worker can help promote mental health in the workplace in this guide.

Here’s a summary of the different types of mental health workers in Canada:

How important is the role of mental health workers in the workplace?

Prioritizing mental health in the workplace is crucial for organizational success, according to Fuda. She cited a 2021 report revealing that 81% of Gen Z and 68% of millennials have left their jobs due to mental health issues.

“It's evident that addressing mental health in the workplace is critical to retention and job satisfaction,” she said. “For larger organizations, particularly those with over 4,000 employees, it can be beneficial to have a trained mental health professional on staff to manage trauma and other mental health issues.

“Smaller organizations might not have the resources to hire a full-time mental health professional. In these cases, offering employees benefits for mental health care such as psychologists and psychotherapists and access to an Employee and Family Assistance Program (EAP) is important.”

She added that fostering a supportive work environment could go a long way in establishing a positive work culture.

“When we support mental health at work, we reduce stigma, build trust, and enhance well-being, culture, and productivity. When employees feel truly supported, they can bring their whole selves to work and truly thrive.”

What should companies look for when choosing a mental health professional?

Here are attributes that companies should consider when searching for the right mental health workers, according to Fuda:

• prioritize their expertise and experience in organizational mental health, particularly with diverse populations
• ensure they use evidence-based methods and internationally recognized training programs
• see that they align with your company’s values and that they can address specific workforce challenges
• consider the potential return on investment (ROI)

“Investing in quality mental health programs can yield significant benefits, with some companies seeing up to $6 for every $1 spent, highlighting the value of effective mental health support,” she said. “By focusing on these aspects, companies can ensure they choose a mental health professional who will contribute positively to their organizational health and employee satisfaction.”

Creating a holistic mental health strategy for your company

Check out our group benefits directory if you’re looking for specialists in health and wellness. Many of these companies offer holistic employee wellness programs, which includes collaborating with mental health workers.

By working with these companies and the mental health workers they partner with, your employees are guaranteed of getting the best counselling and care.

Have you experienced working with a mental health professional in your organization? How did it go? Let us know in the comments.