May 27, 2002
Launch of BC Business and Economic Roundtable on Mental Health
"Hold all of us in government to account for the goals we have set as we try to become a partner in solving the challenges of mental illness and creating a community where mental health is at the forefront. We can do that today by becoming part of the BC Business Economic Roundtable on Mental Health."
— Hon. Gordon Campbell, Premier of British Columbia,
at Vancouver Board of Trade Breakfast, April 30th 2002.
On Sunday, May 26th, BC took a bold step towards facing the problem of untreated depression and anxiety in the workplace by launching the first-ever BC Business and Economic Roundtable on Mental Health.
Spearheaded by the Canadian Mental Health Association’s BC Division (CMHA), endorsed by the provincial government and the Global Business and Economic Roundtable on Addictions and Mental Health, the ultimate strength of the BC Roundtable is that it will be driven and championed by BC’s own business leaders. CMHA BC Division is directing the formation of the Roundtable and serving as the base for communications and planning.
The Roundtable will formally convene on October 31, 2002, in conjunction with CMHA BC Division’s Bottom Line Conference focusing on the impact of untreated depression and anxiety disorders in the workplace and solutions to target the problem.
“The launch of the Roundtable on Mental Health is particularly timely as it follows up the Premier’s endorsement of the project and the need for the corporate community to meet the challenges of mental illness in the workplace,” says Bev Gutray, CMHA BC Division’s Executive Director. “Business leaders are realizing that they literally cannot afford to ignore the problem any longer.”
Special guests at the launch included the Minister of State for Mental Health, Honourable Gulzar Cheema; Bob Baldock, CEO of Heartlink Canada and a managing director of the Roundtable Development Group; and Bill Wilkerson, CEO of the Global Business and Economic Roundtable on Addictions and Mental Health which is chaired by former finance minister Michael Wilson.
The task ahead is great. As Premier Campbell reminded the audience at the Board of Trade Breakfast on workplace depression, “It is not a small challenge: it’s a challenge that touches one in four of us. When you go to work today, remember that probably one out of four of all the people you meet has had, or will have, some form of mental illness.”
The launch also coincides with the opening of the 1st International Forum of Disability Management (May 27th to 29th), the first international forum of its kind with support from business and government — provincial, federal and international.
Fast Facts:
- Within the next 20 years stress-related depression will be the leading source of work days lost. (Global Business and Economic Roundtable)
- More than a quarter of all Canadian workers say that in the past year they have been absent from work because of stress, mental or emotional problems at work. (Global Business and Economic Roundtable)
- An estimated total burden of $14.4 billion (to businesses and the public and private sector for treatment) places mental health problems among the costliest conditions in Canada (Health Canada, 2001)
Media Contacts:
Bev Gutray, Executive Director, CMHA BC Division
604.688.3234
David Wells, Director of Supported Employment and a managing director of the Business and Economic Roundtable on Mental Health Development Group
604.688.3234
Robert Baldock, CEO Heartlink Canada and a managing director of the BC Roundtable Development Group
604.488.0100
Bill Wilkerson, CEO Global Business and Economic Roundtable on Addictions and Mental Health
www.mentalhealthroundtable.ca
604.683.1234 (until May 28th) or via his voicemail in Toronto: 416.598.5790
Hon. Gulzar Cheema, Minister of State for Mental Health
250.356.7574
