Jan. 28, 2021, Ottawa – On this Bell Let’s Talk Day HealthCareCAN is issuing a call to action across Canada to address the rising stress and burnout rates among healthcare workers working so hard to battle the COVID-19 pandemic.
The World Health Organization has described people as the most valuable resource for health. Yet as we mark the one-year anniversary of the start of the battle against COVID here in Canada our governments are failing the people working on the front lines of care. The federal government must do more right now to protect and support the mental health of those working in the healthcare system. We shouldn’t have to rely on heroic efforts in health care. We need a properly supported system with the proper numbers of healthcare workers required to do a proper job.
Our professional and dedicated health care workers have the right to be healthy as they fulfil their duty to provide care for Canadians. A sick system cannot deliver high-quality care and our health workforce must be freed from the burdens and obstacles brought about by this tragic pandemic that is putting Canada’s entire health care system at risk.
HealthCareCAN and the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC) continue to work in partnership to advance the psychological health and safety of Canadian healthcare workplaces and to promote quality mental healthcare. Healthcare institutions across the country are developing programs and supports for their workers. These and other efforts must be supported with more federal funding to support our health system’s greatest resource, our people.
Paul-Émile Cloutier, President and CEO, HealthCareCAN
For more information: Alexandria Rowe, Communications and Member Services
ARowe@healthcarecan.ca
855-236-0213/613-241-8005 ext. 221 │ Cell: 613-220-1023
