ATB Financial and GreenShield partner to provide mental health services to one in 20 Albertans
ATB Financial and GreenShield have announced a new partnership to deliver mental health support for Albertans working in the social sector.
This initiative addresses the growing need for mental health resources among individuals dedicated to addressing complex social issues in Alberta. The collaboration aims to support the one in 20 Albertans employed in this essential sector.
ATB Financial and GreenShield, Canada's only national non-profit health and benefits company, emphasize the importance of the non-profit sector in Alberta's well-being.
The partnership leverages ATB Financial's strong community presence and GreenShield's mental health expertise to provide vital support for frontline workers in the social sector.
Barb Sundquist, vice president of ESG at ATB Financial, highlighted the importance of investing in mental health resources.
She stated, “At ATB, we recognize that a healthy and resilient social sector is essential to the well-being of Albertans and the vitality of our province.”
Sundquist further noted that the challenges faced by frontline workers, who support the most vulnerable communities, require urgent action. She added that 68 percent of social sector leaders report increased demand for services.
Mandy Mail, executive vice president of GreenShield Cares, shared the company's commitment to supporting the sector, saying, “As a proudly Canadian non-profit health and benefits company, our mission of Better Health for All has been our driving force for nearly 70 years.”
She added that GreenShield is inspired by the dedication of social sector workers and recognizes the challenges they face in managing growing demands with limited resources.
Mail noted the company’s honour in partnering with ATB Financial to offer free mental health services, supporting resilience within Alberta's social sector.
Research commissioned by ATB Financial and GreenShield from Mental Health Research Canada (MHRC) underscores the mental health challenges in Alberta's charitable sector.
41 percent of individuals working in the sector reported negative impacts on their mental health due to the economic downturn, compared to 37 percent of Canadians in similar roles across the country.
The study also showed that 35 percent of Albertans felt their mental health affected their workplace productivity, significantly higher than the 16 percent recorded by MHRC's provincial study.
The partnership will begin with a two-year pilot phase, offering services such as virtual therapy and Digital Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).
The outcomes of this pilot will guide future initiatives supporting social sector workers. As World Mental Health Day approaches on October 10, the project serves as a reminder to prioritize mental health for all.
