What is mental health? Having good mental health means generally feeling good and being able to cope with everyday life at home and at work.
Seeking help for those experiencing mental health issues is challenging for a number of reasons: there is still stigma, people don’t know where to get help, getting help may cost money out of pocket.
Unions can help overcome these challenges in so many ways – that’s why mental health must be a union issue, just like we advocate for health and safety.
At USW Local 6673 in Calgary, the local now trains members to become Mental Health and Community Stewards.
“I see the program as a way to reduce the stigmatization of mental health issues, as well as increase our membership involvement. It fits with our Steelworkers’ tradition of helping make members’ lives better, as well as being great neighbours in our community,” said Local 6673 President Kent Irving.
Navigating mental health supports can feel overwhelming because people don’t know where to start. First points of contact can include your family physician, who can offer support and referrals, including to no-cost or low-cost services.
Is mental health care covered in your collective agreement or in your benefits? What about through your Employee Assistance Program (EAP), if you have one?
In 2023, Canada introduced 988 – a national suicide support line, led and co-ordinated by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH).
The USW has recently developed a document listing resources for mental health, addiction and domestic violence, by USW district.
The union offers two new mental health workshops –Mental Health 101 and Suicide Awareness. Both of these workshops are available to any USW local union. Contact your district’s Health, Safety and Environment Co-ordinator to learn more.
Learn more about how to support those experiencing mental health injuries and navigate mental health supports:
usw.ca/mental-health-resources.
This article appears in the Winter 2025 issue of USW@Work magazine.
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