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Does that surprise you?

Actually, it’s a good thing. I am going to QUIT sitting at my desk so much and START being more active. This is easier said than done. Like many people, I start in the a.m. and find myself working without lifting my eyes from the computer or getting up from my chair until it is dark again. The day is done and I haven’t eaten lunch.

Another New Year’s resolution – big deal. But this year I’m adding something different. This year, I am joining other quitters in the “i quit” campaign to help raise awareness and dollars for the The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). The CAMH isn’t a “popular” cause and people shy away from supporting the centre and from talking about how addiction and mental health impacts them and those close to them at home and at work. With anxiety about the economy, H1N1, job insecurity, and extra workload it’s important for organizations to support the “emotional” health of their people and organization.

Sun Life Financial, a major benefits provider, who is matching dollar for dollar any donations up to $50,000, knows the impact of addiction and mental health on organizations. Stress leaves are on the rise and this isn’t good for people or business.

Sign up to become a quitter and support the cause as an organization.  It’s a great team building opportunity as different teams can be created internally. This also creates a sense of community and social purpose, while building awareness of addiction and mental health issues. Many people have the symptoms for a heart attack or stroke posted on their fridge at home and in the workplace, but there is nothing posted about addiction and mental health. It’s time to get it out in the open.

Why does it matter? 

It’s astonishing to realize that:
• 1 in 5 Canadians will experience a mental illness or addiction in their lifetime.
• 34 billion is the cost of mental illness and addictions to the Ontario economy each year.
• 2.5 million Canadian adults – more than 10% of the population over 18 – will have a depressive disorder in their lifetime.
• Almost 20% of children and youth in Canada have a diagnosable psychiatric disorder. (CAMH 2009)

That $34 billion dollars comes out of the pockets of businesses and individuals. That is the financial reason, but there is more to it than that.

Dr. Katy Kamur has a blog that lists the symptoms of depression such as feeling worthless, feeling helpless – feeling that you have no control over your situation, feeling hopeless – feeling that nothing will change or get better, and thoughts like life is not worth living. That’s pretty scary and sad.

How does that impact your business?

If 1 in 5 Canadians experience mental illness or addiction in their lifetime that means your business will be impacted. The problem is that it’s a “silent illness” with much shame and stigma attached to it. So it won’t be out in the open. It impacts the person experiencing it but also the people close to them at work and at home. It impacts a person’s ability to function productively at work and to interact with customers and colleagues. They may be present but not 100% focussed. That’s called presenteeism and it’s worse than absenteeism because the person is present and not doing the job plus negatively impacting the people around them. The CAMH helps people become fully functioning when they need help the most.

Will you help me become a QUITTER, raise funds for CAMH and build awareness? Support my “i quit” campaign by making your donation now! Or if you are up for a challenge, create your own team or teams and set your own donation goals. Make your New Year’s resolutions fun, do some team building, and make it worthwhile. The campaign officially runs for the month of January but will carry over if time is still needed.

Thank you for making this a happy, healthy, and productive New Year,

Joanne

P.S. Every organization should have an EAP (Employee Assistance Program) set up. You ensure the physical safety of your employees, so why not ensure the “emotional” safety of your employees. There are cost effective ways to do this and it sends a message of thoughtfulness and caring to your employees who are the people who will help you meet your company goals.

The “iquit” campaign is now closed!  Thank you for your support and donations.

Other blog “iquit” blog posts: 

 Will you help me reach my goal?

How positive thoughts help us reach our goals