MENTAL HEALTH IS A WORKER’S ISSUE
Stress, anxiety, and burnout aren’t just “individual problems.” They’re shaped by the conditions we work and live under: long hours, understaffing, job insecurity, harassment, and constant pressure to do more with less. Employers are responsible for fixing unsafe workplaces, addressing unfair workload issues and shift schedules and are often the reason for toxic workplaces.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Austerity cuts and privatization have gutted public services, leaving waitlists for care and pushing costs onto workers. Inequality hits hard, in particular:
For Indigenous peoples who live with intergenerational trauma and underfunded care;For racialized workers who face systemic discrimination and criminalization;For women and gender-diverse workers who carry the double burden of paid and unpaid labour.
WHY THIS MATTERS FOR UNIONS
When mental health is ignored, injuries, absenteeism, and turnover rise. Employers use “resilience” language to shift responsibility onto us, instead of fixing the root causes. Unions know that mental health is a collective issue, tied to health and safety, workload, and respect on the job.
CUPW’S SOCIAL STEWARD NETWORK
Our Social Stewards are trained to listen, support, and connect members to resources.
They know the pressures we face on the job and the stigma that can silence us. On World Mental Health Day, we highlight their role in building solidarity and care inside our union.
Reaching out to a Social Steward is a reminder: you’re not alone, and together we can fight for better conditions.
WHAT WE DEMAND
Public, universal mental health services — accessible to all, not just those who can pay.Safe workloads, fair scheduling, and decent wages.Community supports that are culturally appropriate and led by those most impacted.Recognition that well-being is a right, not a perk.
This World Mental Health Day, let’s stand with each other, and remind ourselves that the fight for mental health is a fight for justice, dignity, and solidarity at work and in our communities
In Solidarity,