BlueCat is proud to be named on the 2019 list of Best Workplaces™ for Mental Wellness. This announcement follows Great Place to Work naming BlueCat on the 2019 lists of Best Places for Women to Work in Canada and Best Workplace in Canada. This award is certainly a reflection of the people that bring our culture and core values to life. To be recognized, 80% of BlueCat employees must agree that their workplace is psychologically and emotionally healthy.
Mental wellness is one of the four wellness pillars at BlueCat – others being financial, social, and physical. Our holistic approach to wellness understands that the pillars are intertwined and each one plays a role in a person’s overall well-being.
Marwan C. (Manager, Customer Success), Delme H. (Technical Product Manager), David C. (Software Development Manager), Elly V. (Office Manager), Alex M (RVP, Midmarket Sales), Kiya F. (Executive Assistant, not pictured) completed Mental Health First Aid Certification.
Recently, six BlueCat employees became certified to practice Mental Health First Aid. Offered by the Mental Health Commission of Canada, the course equips people with the knowledge and skills to support and respond to common mental health problems. Applying their new skill set, our new Mental Health First Aid team is trained to recognize mental illness, respond accordingly, and guide others to appropriate resources.
This May, BlueCat also launched the Not Myself Today initiative with the objective to drive awareness of mental health in the workplace, reduce stigma, and foster a supportive culture. The Mental Health at Work Report 2017 states 3 out of 5 employees have experienced mental health issues in the past year because of work. Workplaces have a large influence on mental wellness. This is why BlueCat is putting the conversation about mental health at the forefront.
According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, 50% of people will experience a mental illness by the age of 40. That demographic represents a significant fraction of working age people. It is one of many reasons why supporting mental health at work can make a big impact and a reminder that everyone is touched by mental illness.