Mental Health Check

No, really, are you okay? When was the last time you did a self check of your mental health?

This time of year can be a very difficult time. It’s when our credit card bills roll in, and the effects of an expensive Christmas season really hit us. The holidays are over, and we have the realization that we have to wait a whole year for the warmth and joy of the holiday season to return - what is there to look forward to now?! We are finally getting back into the swing of things at work, and there is a ‘holiday hangover’ that sets in. After weeks of eating all the carbs and sweets, we are expected to set New Year's resolutions and start that healthy lifestyle and long-dreaded diet. 

Okay, in this day and age we ALL know about mental health, but knowing about it and understanding and acknowledging it are two separate things. 

Mental and physical health are fundamentally linked. There are multiple associations between mental health and chronic physical conditions that significantly impact people’s quality of life. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines health as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being (not merely the absence of disease or infirmity). The WHO states that “there is no health without mental health.”

• Poor mental health is a risk factor for chronic physical conditions.

• People with serious mental health conditions are at high risk of experiencing chronic physical conditions.

• People with chronic physical conditions are at risk of developing poor mental health.

Mental health is our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood. 

Regular check ups with your General Practitioner or family doctor tell you how your physical health is doing. You are also well-accustomed to your body and the signs & symptoms of physical illnesses such as the flu or a cold. But how are you able to identify the state of your mental health? 

Here are a couple really simple tests to evaluate where you mental health currently sits: 

• Mental Health Meter

• What’s Your Stress Index

You could also simply ask yourself how you are doing. How have you been feeling lately? How are you sleeping? Are you holding tension anywhere in your body? Have you felt busy and rushed? Irritable or moody? Sad or down, maybe not as happy and upbeat as you normally are? Think about your recent interactions and how you have acted. Think about how you feel when you are alone.

Acknowledging how you actually feel is an important habit to adopt in order to support your mental health on an ongoing basis. Consider scheduling a weekly check in with yourself.

Generally when you are physically ill you know what to do and will take immediate action to resolve the issue and feel better. You have a bad cough and your sinuses are acting up, you will visit your doctor for a check up, receive antibiotics, and take a few days to recover.

With mental health, it is important that you regularly evaluate yourself and take the necessary steps to recovery, no matter the issue. This might be anything from self-care activities and relaxation, to speaking to a friend or family member to relieve some of the thoughts and stresses you have, to seeking out a mental health professional for help.

If the meditation route is for you, try the 'headspace' app!

A few weeks back, our very own Katie Salmers spoke up about her mental health challenges and the benefits that seeking out help provided her in a LinkedIn post that went viral. In her post, she explains the challenges that came with seeking out help and finding the right therapist for her, as well as the financial challenges.

Katie also speaks about how Vendasta helped her along the way. As a follow up to her post, she teamed up with Celine Martin, our culture and engagement manager, as well as Kyle Anderson, a mental health training facilitator, to answer some questions that Vendastians might have about seeking out help. 

Do you have questions about mental health or how Vendasta can help? Submit them anonymously here! A follow up story will provide the answers to your questions.

Q: Who can benefit from therapy?

A: In short, everybody! Just like everyone has their physical health, we all have mental health as well. We all have times where we aren't feeling our best physically, so may go to a physician, chiropractor, or physical therapist. The exact same thought applies to our mental health; there will be times where our mental health may be struggling, so we could benefit from therapy. Mental health challenges do not discriminate, they can happen to people from all walks of life, regardless of age, gender, location, or socioeconomic status. There is still a stigma that therapy is only for people experiencing a debilitating mental health problem or going through a traumatic life experience, but even "happy" people can benefit from therapy. People looking to better understand their thoughts and feelings, work towards achieving goals, and reaching their full potential can all benefit from therapy. If there is an issue in your life that is causing you distress, it is better to deal with it sooner rather than later, and working through it with a professional can be a great way to address it before it gets worse.

Q: How do I know it is time to seek help?

A: Have you been feeling hopeless, unmotivated, anxious, or just "not yourself"? Have you experienced a significant life event, such as a loss of a loved one, job loss, or other upheaval? Are you feeling "stuck" and wanting to work through specific questions or life stressors? These can all be signs that it is time to seek help. While family, friends, and other social supports can be very helpful, most people can still benefit from professional assistance at some point in their lives. There is no "wrong" time to seek help; you don't need to be on the brink of a breakdown, in crisis, or at "rock-bottom" to go to therapy. If you have anything that you would like help working through in a safe, non-judgmental, and confidential setting, it may be worth reaching out to a therapist.

Q: How do I find a therapist?

A: The internet is a great resource to find a therapist as websites such as psychologytoday.com list available therapists in your area. Many organizations have an Employee and Family Assistance Program in place which could also be a good place to start. 

Q: What if my therapist isn’t right for me?

A: Finding the right therapist is so important! Your therapist should be someone that you trust and feel comfortable with, and it can take a couple of tries to find the right one for you. Many therapists offer free 15-20 minute consultations where you can speak with them over the phone to get a sense of who they are. In these consultations, you may want to briefly explain what you are wanting to work on and ask them if they have experience working with similar issues. You could also ask about their professional background, treatment approach, and what you can expect from sessions with them. Try connecting with a couple of therapists to see how they respond to your questions and which one you feel most comfortable with. 

Remember: You're not stuck with that therapist either! It's okay to change your mind and connect with someone else if they are not the right one for you.

Q: What can I expect in my first session?

A: While each professional approaches initial sessions a bit differently, there are a few things that you can expect from your first session. Your arrival may be similar to other health care appointments, where you check in with a receptionist and fill out initial paperwork (sometimes this is sent out ahead of time). The initial session will likely be a bit different than subsequent sessions as you will probably spend the majority of the time getting to know one another. The therapist will likely have quite a few questions to ask, such as why you are seeking help, what your goals are, if you have been in therapy before, etc. Future sessions will be more therapeutic in nature as you explore specific problems or past trauma, while the initial session is more focused on information gathering and establishing the therapeutic relationship.

Q: How much does therapy cost?

A: The cost per therapy session can greatly vary depending on the length of the session, type of treatment, and therapist. While the cost of therapy can be overwhelming, be sure to see if you have health benefits through your employer that could offset or even cover the entire cost. If you don't have benefits that cover counseling or psychotherapy, try to find a therapist that offers sessions on a "sliding scale." Sliding scale therapy means the cost of sessions is based on the individual's income, making therapy more accessible for people who may not be able to afford standard rates.

Q: What do I do if the support doesn't help?

A: When going to therapy, it's important to be patient as everything won't be fixed in a single session. "You can't walk 10 miles into a forest and expect to get back out in 5." Additionally, while attending therapy is a great step, the real work happens outside of the sessions. It is important to apply what you've learned in the sessions in your daily lives. If you are feeling like there haven't been improvements, you can communicate these concerns to your therapist as they may try a different approach. Finally, if you have tried these things and still feel like the support isn't helping, it may be time to switch to a different therapist or try another therapy type.

Q: What should I do if I am worried about a friend or relative?

A: If you have noticed a friend or family member exhibiting behavior changes or not acting like themselves, it may be a sign that they are struggling with their mental health. Common signs include (but are not limited to), mood swings, low energy, concentration problems, changes in sleep or appetite, and increased substance use. If you are worried about them, the best thing to do is talk to them. Prior to the conversation, try to put yourselves in their shoes and consider how they are feeling; they could be sensitive, confused, frightened, or guilty. Keeping these things in mind, it is best to bring the subject up in a private setting where you both are relaxed and have time to talk. It can be helpful to begin the conversation by mentioning changes you have noticed and asking them if there is anything they would like to talk about. Let them know that you are there to support them and ask what you can do to help, which may include helping them connect with a professional. If they are willing to talk to you, the best thing to do is listen; you're not a trained professional so don't need to have all the answers. If you are worried about their immediate safety, you can call a crisis helpline or 911.

Q: How do I go about choosing the type of therapy I get? 

A: There are many types of mental health professionals, including:

• Family doctors

• Psychiatrists

• Psychologists

• Social workers

• Occupational therapists

• Psychotherapists

• Mental health counselors

Choosing the right professional and type of therapy depends on the individual! Everyone has different needs and will benefit from different types of therapy:

• Talk therapy

• Alternative therapies (meditation, yoga, music, art)

• Group therapy

• Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT)

• Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT)

• Psychodynamic psychotherapy

• Emotional focus psychotherapy (EFT)

• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

• Hypnosis

• And many more

Check out this article on Sunlife’s resource center for more information on choosing your path.

Q: Do our benefits cover therapy?

A: Yes. Mental health coverage is considered a paramedical service, of which 80% is covered up to $300 per year. This coverage includes licensed psychologists or social workers. 

*Hot tip: Some Psychotherapists work ‘under’ a Psychologist, meaning they could still be covered under your benefits using the Psychologist’s name

Your Health Spending Account may also be used, for those who have access to one.

Q: How can Vendasta help me on my mental health journey?

A: At Vendasta, we want all of our team members to be able to be their best and healthiest selves at work. Over the last year, we’ve introduced two major initiatives that aim to help you do just that:

• Taking time off— In 2021, Vendasta removed our 5-day limit on sick time to better allow all of our team members to be able to take care of both their physical and mental wellness. This paid sick time policy allows for you to take time off for mental health appointments and time-off as needed.We also recognize that throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and there being less opportunities to travel, more and more of us have put off taking vacation days. We encourage all Vendastians to ensure they are taking the time that they need to relax and rest. 

• Employee assistance program—Additionally in 2021, Vendasta launched an Employee Assistance Program (or EAP) through LifeWorks. This EAP has a number of great tools and resources available at your fingertips when dealing with a wide variety of personal issues, such as: anxiety, depression, financial security, addictions, family & relationships, and much more. The EAP also provides confidential 24/7 professional counselling and support for personal and family issues including:

  • • Family and social relationships

    • Depression, anxiety, stress, dependency issues

    • Workplace related issues and career planning

    • Wellness issues, health and fitness coaching, nutrition support and quitting smoking

    • Crisis and traumatic events

Accessing our EAP is easy, and you can get started by logging in or registering here or simply calling toll-free at 1-855-544-7722. Find the full details of the program here.

In addition to these initiatives, our leadership and People Operations team’s doors (and virtual doors) are always open to speak with anyone who may be struggling with their mental health and in need of support or resources.

Please take a few moments to complete this *anonymous* form! Ask any questions you may have about mental health, share your personal stories & experiences with mental health, and tell us your self care strategies and tips & tricks!