Statement on National Mental Health Week

Mental Health Week is an annual national event that takes place during the first week of May.  Mental Health is still stigmatized in today’s society, therefore it is important that we share valuable information around mental health and provide help when needed.  Let’s be clear, mental health is a state of well-being.  It affects how we think, feel, act and interact with others.

There’s been a dramatic increase of stress in the workplace with ongoing cuts and increase in workloads.  A 2010 survey by the Desjardins Group found that 30% of Canadian workers were feeling more stress than they reported the year before.  One expert, Bill Wilkerson, chairman of the Global Business and Economic Roundtable on Addiction and Mental Health even said that the public sector is ‘a toxic place to work’.

PSAC is committed to fighting for a healthy and safe workplace for its members, and a work environment that is discrimination and harassment free. As union representatives and union members, there is a lot we can do, collectively and individually, to address this important issue.

For more information on the work we are doing and how you can assist, please visit the following link:

In solidarity always,

Jeannie Baldwin

REVP – PSAC Atlantic