When Chris Campbell, an Operations Supervisor at one of our warehouses, was worried that one of his team members might be struggling, he didn’t hesitate to pick up the phone and call them to make sure they were doing okay. They ended up talking for 45-minutes as Chris listened and provided support. While it was a tough call to make, Chris was glad he didn’t ignore the signs someone needed help, and the employee shared they appreciated that Chris reached out to check on them.
It’s stories like this that remind us why LCBO recognizes Mental Health Week every May. In any given year, 1 in 5 Canadians experiences a mental health or addiction problem. At the LCBO, we understand mental health is integral to whole person health and safety. In 2020, we launched an amplified mental health strategy to better support employees, create awareness, promote resources, and break the stigma around mental health. It’s part of our commitment to become a healthy, inclusive, and safe workplace for everyone.
Chris, who’s been with the LCBO for 23 years, says he’s seen the impact of our programs first-hand. “When we host wellness booths at our warehouse in London, employees don’t shy away from having a conversation anymore. We also get people coming to us and saying, ‘Hey, I think this person might be struggling, can you check on them?’ There’s a lot of awareness and empathy for what someone might be going through outside work.”
Lilian Riad-Allen, our Senior Director of Workplace Health, Safety, and Wellness, says that “Our progress is a testament to our leaders like Chris and employees for leaning into our mental health programs and their willingness to be vulnerable and have these really important but sometimes uncomfortable conversations. The more we can create awareness and remove the stigma or discrimination around mental health, the more we’re able to help get people the support they need.”
