Skip to main navigation. Skip to main content.
workhealthlife
 
Your Employee and Family Assistance Program is a support service that can help you take the first step toward change.
 
 
  • Register
  • |
  • Login
  • |
  • Search organization
Morneau Shepell
Woman walking on the beach, leaving footsteps in the sand.

>>>WHL, BeneficiaryLogin_WelcomeText>>>

>>>WHL, BeneficiaryLogin_FinePrint>>>

workhealthlife
 
Your Employee and Family Assistance Program is a support service that can help you take the first step toward change.
 
Woman walking on the beach, leaving footsteps in the sand.

Take the first step towards change

We're an Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP) that provides you and your family with immediate and confidential support to help resolve work, health, and life challenges to improve your life. Let us help you find solutions so you can reach your goals at any age or stage of life. We help millions of people worldwide live healthy, happy, and productive lives.

Ready to start? You can login or search for your organization for faster access to your resources and tools.
Not a member yet? Join today for free
or

    We found several matches. If you cannot find your company in the list below, please refine your search by entering more characters or checking the full name of your organization. If you continue to experience challenges, please contact us.
    Don't know your organization? It could be where you work, your union, province, or an association you belong to.

    If you are still not sure, browse as a guest or call 1.844.880.9137

    Why members use the program

    Always

    Always confidential

    Access and use of the program is completely confidential. No one, including your employer, coworkers or family, will ever know that you used the program unless you choose to tell them.
    Help

    Help you need

    Having a baby or buying a new home? Want to improve your relationship or manage stress better? We have resources and tools to help on just about any topic.
    Help

    Help how you want

    Find the support that is right for your lifestyle and comfort level. Choose from online programs, consultation by phone, live chat, and more.
    Available

    Available anytime, anywhere

    You're constantly on the move, switching from your computer to your phone at a moment's notice. We have you covered with confidential access to support anywhere and everywhere you go.
    Pick

    Pick your support

    When you've found the support you want, it's easy to get started right away online. Within a few minutes, you'll be set up to take your first step towards change.
    No

    No cost

    There is no cost to you to use the program. This benefit is provided to you by your employer, insurance carrier, association, or other party.
    Home
    • Home
    • my services
      Login or tell us your organization to view your services.
      Is your organization interested in offering these services?
      • Professional Counselling
      • Financial Support
      • Legal Support
      • Nutrition Support
      • Family Support
      • Health Coaching
      • Naturopathic Services
      • Fitness Support
    • health & well-being

      Your physical and mental well-being has a significant impact on your day-to-day life. The more you know, the better you'll feel.

      • Emotional Well-being (articles 21)
      • Mental Health (articles 34)
      • Family & Relationships (articles 21)
      • Diversity and inclusion (articles 10)
      • Addictions (articles 27)
      • Diseases & Conditions (articles 3)
      • COVID-19 resources (articles 46)
      • Physical Well-being (articles 13)
    • career & workplace

      Let us help you manage your career, better handle workplace relationships and find work-life balance.

      • Health & Attitude (articles 53)
      • Coping With Change on the Job (articles 20)
      • Time Management (articles 22)
      • Stress/Burnout (articles 28)
      • Traumatic Events (articles 17)
      • Career Development & Continuing Education (articles 35)
      • Conflict & Communication (articles 50)
      • Workplace Leave (articles 9)
    • financial security

      We can all use a little help understanding and managing finances. Learn more through educational articles, resources and tools to support you in achieving financial well-being.

      • Financial Planning (articles 22)
      • Credit & Debt Management (articles 8)
      • Budgeting (articles 25)
      • Investing (articles 4)
      • Retirement (articles 12)
      • Will Preparation (articles 1)
      • Legal (articles 8)
      • Real Estate/Mortgages (articles 7)
    • life events

      Find information on a wide variety of topics to better inform and support you during life events and times of change.

      • Death of a Loved One (articles 5)
      • Planning Retirement (articles 8)
      • Dealing with a Disability/Serious Illness (articles 15)
      • Getting Separated/Divorced (articles 9)
      • Parenting (articles 34)
      • Buying/Selling a House (articles 5)
      • New Employee (articles 33)
      • Getting Married (including common law) (articles 4)
      • Having a Baby (or Adopting) (articles 13)
    career & workplace Understanding Mental Health & Stigma
    • Home »
    • career & workplace »
    • Understanding Mental Health & Stigma »

    Mental illness in the workplace: removing stigma

    Bookmark Article

    Mental illness in the workplace is a reality for most organizations. After all, research shows that one in five Canadians will experience a mental health disorder at some point in their lives. Though mental illness is widespread, its stigma often prevents people from seeking help or even talking about it with a co-worker, family member, or friend. 

    What is stigma?

    Stigma can be associated with any number of health conditions, especially with mental illness. It is the result of negative perceptions and stereotypes, and reflects a lack of understanding. External stigma often involves negative judgements, opinions, comments and assumptions made by others; internal stigma can occur when the person affected with mental illness internalizes these negative messages.

    Removing stigma in the workplace

    According to the Mental Health Commission of Canada, only 23 per cent of Canadians are likely to feel comfortable discussing a mental condition with their employers. This number revealed in a 2008 Canadian Medical Association Study suggests that mental health in the workplace is likely underreported and that many employees are suffering silently and not seeking treatment.

    Why remove stigma in the workplace? The Mental Health Commission estimates that nearly a quarter of the Canadian workforce is affected by mental health issues that contribute to absenteeism, low productivity, and turnover. Helping employees improve their mental health and well-being at work is beneficial to the employee, the employee's family, the company and society at large.

    Steps to remove stigma in the workplace

    Educate yourself and your team – The more you know the less powerful stigma becomes. By educating yourself and your team about what mental illness is (and isn't), you can reduce stigma, discrimination, negative stereotypes, and fear in the workplace. Awareness can help to create a culture of empathy and understanding.

    Speak up – When you hear someone saying hurtful and/or stigmatizing comments about mental illness or a person with a mental health condition, share some of the information you've learned that may counter those negative perceptions. Remember it is important to use respectful language.

    Raise awareness – If your organization does not have a comprehensive health and wellness program, you can help raise awareness by starting one. Create workplace policies and programs that promote physical and mental health, and share helpful resources – articles, blogs, local events, support groups – with your co-workers via email, bulletin boards or a company-wide initiative.

    Be a leader – Start with a commitment to removing stigma. Through open and honest communication with your co-workers about the importance of your commitment, you’ll play an important role in the battle to end stigma.

    Leading the way

    BCE, Inc., Canada's largest communications company, is striving to eliminate the stigma of mental illness in the workplace. Its Bell Mental Health Initiative is a $50-million, multi-year charitable program that promotes mental health across Canada. The initiative includes an anti-stigma campaign called, Bell Let’s Talk Day.

    The Bell Let's Talk Community Fund offers grants of $5,000 to $50,000 to organizations that are committed to improving access to mental health care. In 2012, some Bell Let's Talk grant recipients included: the Boys and Girls Club of East Dartmouth, Mood Disorders Association of BC, Canadian Mental Health Association, AMI-Québec Action on Mental Illness, Arviat Youth Piliriqatigit/Hamlet of Arviat, and Kingston/Greenwood Mental Health Coalition. The Bell Let’s Talk Mental Health initiative is dedicated to research, community care and access, workplace best practices and anti-stigma as they relate to mental health for Canadians.

    Share:

    • 1
    • 2


    Related Articles

    Mental illness in the workplace: recovery
    Mental illness in the workplace: return to work
    Mental illness in the workplace: recognizing risk
    • Home
    • |
    • My Services
    • health & well-being
    • |
    • career & workplace
    • |
    • financial security
    • |
    • life events
    • Site Map
    • |
    • FAQ
    • |
    • Your Privacy
    • |
    • Terms of Use
    • |
    • Accessibility
    • |
    • About Us
    Tech Support
    • Blog
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    © 2025 Morneau Shepell Ltd. Your program may not include all services described on this website, please refer to your benefit material for more information. For immediate assistance, call 1.844.880.9137.
    COC
    Back to top
    CTCLPRDWEBWP06
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    Processing

    Processing