ATB Financial and GreenShield have joined forces to provide mental health support for Alberta’s social sector workers, a group increasingly affected by workplace stress.
This partnership is intended to deliver tailored mental health services, including virtual therapy and digital Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), to social sector employees across the province over a two-year pilot phase.
“The challenges faced by those on the frontlines demand urgent attention and action,” said Barb Sundquist, ATB Financial’s Vice President of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG), citing a recent study indicating that 68 per cent of sector leaders report increased demand for their services.
GreenShield, a non-profit health and benefits organization, brings its experience in mental health services to the collaboration. Mandy Mail, Executive Vice President of GreenShield Cares, expressed the organization’s commitment to the initiative, saying, “We recognize the challenges [social sector workers] face in balancing increasing demands with constrained resources. That’s why we are honoured to partner with ATB Financial to offer free mental health services, supporting resilience within Alberta’s social sector.”
The announcement comes as research conducted by Mental Health Research Canada, commissioned by ATB Financial and GreenShield, revealed that 41 per cent of Alberta’s charitable sector workers report negative impacts on their mental health due to the economic downturn, compared to a national average of 37 per cent. The findings also indicate that 35 per cent of Albertans in this sector experience decreased productivity due to mental health issues, more than double the rate found in provincial studies.
The partnership aims to address these concerns by leveraging the resources of both ATB Financial and GreenShield, who see mental health support as foundational to a stronger, more resilient Alberta. The pilot program will gather data and insights to shape future initiatives in the sector.