Mental health ads take aim at workplace stigma

The Newfoundland and Labrador government launched the second phase of its mental health and addictions campaign with a new set of television and web ads Wednesday at a launch in St. John's.

Understanding Changes Everything will focus on stigma in the workplace.

Statistics provided by the province say 500,000 people in Canada miss work each week due to mental health and addictions issues — adding up to a cost of about $51 billion nationwide.

Health and Community Services Minister Steve Kent hopes the ads will help to get people talking about the issues in the workplace.

"We are talking about millions of dollars in Newfoundland and Labrador, and we are talking about thousands of our own employees, neighbours and friends," said Kent.

"It's an issue that needs to be addressed. Start more conversations because we really do believe through raising the level of understanding that can cause real change." 

Among the groups in attendance at Wednesday's launch was U-Turn Addictions Drop-in Centre, which is based out of Carbonear.

Volunteer Tammy Bourne said the ads will help.

"I think putting it out there publicly like that would make that stigma go away because addiction's an epidemic right now," said Bourne.

"It's been very difficult for some, because they don't know what to expect. I've had a couple who told me they've been on the parking lot on six occasions and would not come inside. But then I have people who came in and they're like, 'This is not what we were expecting,' because we're pretty laid back. You meet people just like yourself." 

Phase two of the government's plan will also see a training program offered to employers to help them understand and deal with mental illness and addictions in the workplace.