Go Green Day: Broadening the Conversation Around Mental Health
Mental health matters, and across West Fraser this May, the company worked to confront stigma and remove barriers to access mental health supports for employees and community members.
“The past few years have placed a necessary spotlight on the profound importance of mental health,” said Al Caputo, Vice-President, Human Resources. “From the isolation induced by the global pandemic to economic and social pressures, many have experienced heightened levels of stress, anxiety and depression in the communities where we operate.”
“During May, in each of our operating areas, there have been national observances to support mental health and we have been using these opportunities to bring mental health to the forefront of our workplace and community conversations.”
We are bringing mental health to the forefront of our workplace and community conversations.
Al Caputo, Vice-President, Human Resources
Raising Awareness Within West Fraser
Green is the international colour for mental health awareness. Our national non-profit organizations for mental health in Canada, the U.S. and the U.K. endorse ‘going green for mental health’ to coincide with each country’s health promotion month or week.
“This year, we held our first Go Green Day at West Fraser to encourage mental health awareness and reinforce that Mental Health Matters at West Fraser as it ties into our core values of safety and teamwork,” said Dr. Claire Robinson, West Fraser Medical Advisor and Health & Wellness Lead.
Mental Health Matters at West Fraser, and ties into our core value of safety and teamwork.
Dr. Claire Robinson, West Fraser Medical Advisor and Health & Wellness Lead
Supporting Communities by Removing Barriers to Resources
West Fraser understands we have an opportunity to support this important need in the communities in which we live. We are working through a significant, multi-year commitment through our community investment program.
Between fall 2023 and spring 2024, West Fraser met with national and regional mental health organizations in the U.S., Canada and the U.K. including Mental Health America, Canadian Mental Health Association, Heads up Guys and Mikeysline.
Through the discussions, we learned about different offerings that could help address key challenges faced by community members in our operating communities in those regions.
As a result of those discussions, key investment areas include:
- Rural mental health: better understanding the key issues experienced by community members and challenges in accessing services.
- Men’s mental health: studies have shown men are more reluctant to seek help for mental health challenges and often seek help online, privately to help minimize stigmas.
- Emergency responders: the 2023 wildfires in western Canada were unprecedented and highlighted the unique mental health needs of those firefighters.
- Awareness: mental health organizations in all three countries provide free resources for community members but need support and funding to create awareness that those resources are available.
Partnerships and community investments in mental health will be announced throughout 2024.
