Making mental health a workplace priority

If the pandemic has taught us one thing, it has highlighted the need for flexibility. The rigidity of a workday is no more. Office hours are a thing of the past and there’s a strong movement to a hybrid work model.

As employers, the mental health and wellness of our employees has rapidly come to the forefront. How do we establish work-life balance expectations for our teams? How do we facilitate an evolving work structure and still meet our goals? How do we empower our teams, while still encouraging them to take care of themselves?

These are a lot of big questions and there are no simple answers. But it starts with making mental health and wellness a priority at your workplace. Leaders can’t just talk about the importance of taking time off and finding balance, they need to practice it. Through leading by example and providing vital mental health and wellness resources, there is an opportunity for companies to come out of COVID-19 stronger than before, with a more cohesive workforce that feels supported, empowered and inspired to achieve.

SOS has developed a collection of workshops that are available to both schools, workplaces and community groups. In addition, we can work directly with your organization to custom-design a session that directly connects with some of the challenges you and your team are facing. These sessions can be for both young people and adults. I encourage you to learn more on our website and reach out to set up a session that works for your company.

Thank you,

Jason King
Executive Director

Click here to read the latest issue of Jason’s Lens!

This week is Anti-Bullying Week

Across the country, at least one in three adolescent students have reported a recent bullying experience and in fact, Canada has the 9th highest rate of bullying of 13 year olds out of 35 countries. 

A 2019 CBC News study indicated that in Alberta, 15 per cent of young people surveyed said they were threatened with physical violence involving a weapon at least once before they finished Grade 8. When our students arrived at high school, bullying only increased. Approximately two in five Albertans shared they had been physically assaulted at least once between Grades 9 to 12. On top of that, more than 30 per cent said they had been robbed of money, their phone or other valuables.  range of available options will continue.

But bullying doesn’t just happen in schools. Learn more about bullying this week and how to tackle it if it’s happening to you and your family.

Giving back through counselling

Your counselling session later this month can directly support another important organization in Wood Buffalo!

On November 24, any money earned through Free-for-Service Counselling at Some Other Solutions will be donated to the United Way.

Self-compassion: you matter!

Self-compassion is about finding ways to realize that you are good enough just the way you are, and that you absolutely deserve good things in life. And while some people are naturally more confident in their own skin, for others, we have to work at being a bit more compassionate to ourselves. 

Not only does developing compassion help you and those around you feel happier, but the spin off effects are fantastic. Research suggests there are actually physical benefits to practicing compassion. It counteracts the aging process and reduces stress.

We’ve put together some resources on self-compassion for both adults and young people that can help.

Mentorship matters

We believe that a positive adult role-model is vital to the healthy progression of every child. Our mentoring program builds resilient children and youth by building trust, empowering young individuals, improving self-worth, communication skills and coping skills.

If you are interested in being a mentor or if you have a young person you think would benefit from mentorship, please reach out!

On the blog

Support SOS

We are here to work together as a community to empower and elevate individuals and families to deal with life’s challenges. Mental wellness affects each and every one of us. Your donation can directly impact the life of a neighbour, friend or loved one.