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Mental health and addiction at the workplace

Tools and resources for employees to help create a healthy workplace.

 

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Creating a healthy workplace

Employee health can be affected by:

  • the workplace environment: air quality, noise, lighting, quality of equipment, and exposure to health hazards like dangerous chemicals and tobacco smoke
  • working relationships with supervisors and co-workers
  • personal resources and support, such as having somewhere to turn if they have problems in their personal or work life
  • how much control employees feel they have over their job, such as having a voice in decision-making and feeling that their opinions matter
  • personal health practices: smoking, drinking, eating habits, exercise, use of medications and other drugs, and ways of dealing with stress

A healthy workplace is one that takes all these things into consideration. It is a place where employees have a safe and clean work environment, where they have strong and supportive working relationships that give them a sense of control and influence over what happens to them, and where they are encouraged to look after their own health both at work and at home.

In any work setting, being aware of the signs that a coworker might be struggling with thoughts of suicide is crucial. By understanding the warning signs, recognizing risk factors, and knowing how to respond to suicidal thoughts or threats, we can all play a role in supporting our colleagues. Learn more.

What you can do as an employee

Being healthy and feeling well at work is about more than just not being sick. To be truly "well" you need to take personal responsibility for your physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health. That means making choices that will help you improve or maintain your health. It also means stopping or reducing behaviour that isn't healthy. Here are some ideas for maintaining or improving your own health:

  • Eat well, drink plenty of water, exercise regularly and get enough sleep.
  • Get regular medical check-ups.
  • Reduce or stop behaviour that puts your health at risk: try to quit smoking, stay clear of second-hand smoke, avoid excessive alcohol or other drug use, and don’t overeat.
  • Exercise, talk things out with someone you trust, meditate, get a hobby, or learn the skills to relax your mind and your body.
  • Take steps to reduce stress where you can.
  • Learn healthy ways to manage stressors that you can’t control.
  • Participate in workplace wellness programs or committees to make your workplace as healthy and safe as possible.
  • Let family members, friends and co-workers support you with the ups and downs of everyday living.
  • Get professional help when you need it to deal with personal problems. And remember, sooner is always better.

Workplace information series for employees

 

Managing job stress

Major stress comes from having too much or not enough work or doing work that doesn't satisfy you.

 

Fitness at work

Booklet outlining the concept of fitness for work and describing how substance use and gambling affect fitness for work, what an employee can do to be fit for work, and what someone can do when others are not fit for work.

 

Someone at work has a problem

Guidelines and tips for successfully intervening with a co-worker who may have an alcohol, other drug or gambling problem.

 

Is drinking, using drugs or gambling affecting my work?

Booklet that helps employees to assess whether their work is being affected by their substance use or gambling, and offers suggestions on finding further help.

Resources for employers

Tools and resources for employers to help create healthy workplaces for employees.

Information for employers

Related information

Mental health and wellness resources

Build resilience, develop healthy habits and learn new ways of coping to create more positive mental health.

Mental health

Access wellness tools, information about conditions, and how to access services.

Substance use and addiction

Resources and supports to help you or someone you may know who uses alcohol or substances.