Message from the Clerk to all public servants for annual Mental Health Week

Dear colleagues,

Today is the beginning of the annual Mental Health Week, organized by the Canadian Mental Health Association. 

Since becoming Clerk and building on the work on my predecessors, I have made improving mental health and workplace wellness across the Public Service a priority and I believe we are making real progress. Some of the ways we are doing this is through the creation of the Federal Public Service Workplace Mental Health Strategy and the development of the Centre of Expertise on Mental Health in the Workplace.

As a public servant, what you do matters. You should be very proud of the work you do and the positive impact your contribution has on the lives of Canadians. But in order to serve others effectively, we must first take care of ourselves. If you are dealing with a mental health issue, know that there is support available to you from your employer, your colleagues and your community.

We can, and should, talk more openly and honestly about mental health. That is what this week is all about, and why I am asking you to join me to #GetLoud for mental health and help create an environment free of stigma. Part of this work involves having frank conversations about mental health in the workplace, which is why I created a Contact Group on Mental Health. This group of passionate federal public servants meets regularly to discuss how ongoing initiatives are impacting the day-to-day lives of public servants.

This week, I challenge you to think about what you will do to support positive mental health. You can start by taking the pledge to support mental health in the workplace, and supporting the social media campaign for #GetLoud. I also encourage you to learn, talk, and reflect with your colleagues, family and friends about what more we can do as a community to build healthier and more respectful workplaces in which we all feel safe and empowered.

Michael Wernick

Clerk of the Privy Council and Secretary to the Cabinet