b'MENTAL HEALTHOPENING THE DIALOGUE and supportive to those with mental health issues but respond in These are stressful times for industry workers. Today, the respon- ways that are unhelpful or damaging when actually called upon sibility rests with employers to promote supportive workplacefor help. For a lot of individuals, being an ally to someone with environments and lead the dialogue on mental health. Onemental illness requires a bit of a mind-shift, and thats not always foolproof way to make a difference in peoples lives wheneasy to do. itcomestomentalhealthisforthepeopleinchargeto be open about it, asserts Landsberg. Whether youre aMAKING PROGRESShuge company or a small one, the people at the top haveAttitudes around mental health are evolving. Meaningful conversa-the ability to steer the conversation and develop a culturetions are taking place in every sector, while access to mental health wheretopicslikedepression,burnoutorevensuicidalsupports and resources is building. These are positive trends in an thoughts can be discussed without fear ofjudgment. era where workers are particularly vulnerable to mental illness.Thats not to say that mental health needs to be a topicWithout a doubt, were getting better at dealing with these ineverymorningmeeting.Rather,itsaboutleadersissues,saysLandsberg.Theresasenseofurgencyaround making a genuine and consistent effort to build supportmental health that was not there when I started doing these talks. systems for workers who need them and keeping their doorThe fact that people ask me to come and speak is an indication open for any who wish to talk.that companies are concerned about mental health and that they Addressingmentalhealthintheofficeoratthejobsiterecognize how mental illness can impact both the teams they care alsomeansbeinghonestaboutpersonalbiases.Itsnotfor and their overall business.uncommonforleadersandcoworkerstobringunconsciousNow is the time to build on this momentum, Landsberg adds. biasesaboutmentalhealthtothejob,andallittakesisaMoreover,nowisthetimetochipawayatoldstereotypes, dismissive attitude, negative comment or a cold shoulder to create an unwelcomingworkplace. buildmoresupportiveworkplaceculturesandperhapsmore importantlybe an open ear. The most important thing that I can Says Landsberg, One of the biggest obstacles is the fact that fewteach people who work or live with someone with mental illness is lying, either. They may honestly believe that they are understandingnever will, but that doesnt mean I cant be helpful.people will admit theyre part of the problem. Its not like theyrejust to say, I dont understand what this feels like, and I probably Our Docks Are Ready to ServeThanks for Sailing With Us Since 1954Since 1954 Southwestern Sales has provided high quality aggregates and shipping services from quarries throughout the Great Lakes. Our network of ships, barges, docks and trucks enables us to move a variety of bulk commodities in the most economical manner for our customers. Full-service operations are available at our docking facilities in West Windsor, East Windsor, Kingsville, Sarnia and Sombra.CrushedStoneSandShippingCargoHandlingTruckingSouthwestern Sales Corporation Limited100 Lesperance Road, Unit 5, Tecumseh, Ontario N8N 1W1Phone: (519) 735-9822Fax: (519) 735-1913www.southwesternsales.caWINTER 2021AVENUES 13'