email reminders advising workers to go for a walk and drink more water. WSIB claims for psychological injuries are often not sub- mitted since so many are denied (except for PTSD in first responders) or because the process often requires the worker to divulge past and present medical history. But we can be a part of accelerating


change by insisting that the system operate the way it is supposed to.


• Report incidents that have caused psy- chological injury or impact (e.g., bullying, racism, traumatic events) as workplace in- cidents in the same way you would report physical injuries and near misses.


• When there are ongoing workplace factors impacting the mental health of the staff, request assistance from your Joint Health and Safety Committee representatives in the same way you would for a physical hazard.


• When workplace incidents or environ- ments lead to mental strain that requires medical intervention or time off work, consider a WSIB claim (working with your local ETFO office or ETFO Profes- sional Relations Services (PRS) will help you determine if this is the right course for your situation).


• Be mindful that the language you use is supportive of mental health as part of overall health, for example “accessing your sick leave” versus “taking a stress leave,” “getting medical help” versus “couldn’t take it anymore.”


• Establish and enforce healthy boundaries between your work and personal life and place a priority on your own health.


TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF THE WAY YOU TAKE CARE OF OTHERS


Every profession has its stresses, and every life will have tough times. Most stress is man- ageable and most tough times get better. But every year one in five Canadians experiences a mental health problem or illness, and the pandemic created a variety of stresses that can impact mental health. We don’t run to the doctor when we’ve


got the sniffles (in pre-COVID-19 days) and we don’t always run to a counsellor when we have a tough day. It’s important to be able to recognize when professional help is a good idea and to know what help is available.


DO YOU NEED HELP?


• If you have symptoms of mental distress that are severe or long-lasting, speak to a health-care provider


ELEMENTARY TEACHERS’ FEDERATION OF ONTARIO 27


• If you have thoughts of self-harm, get immediate help through a hotline or emergency department.


• Let your support network know you are struggling.


• Once you feel you need mental health help, stand your ground, even if that means you need to look for help in a few places before you find a good fit.


WHERE CAN YOU GET HELP?


• Start with your primary healthcare provider.


• Understand and access your benefits for counselling through OTIP (permanent contract entitlements) and/or your school board’s Employee Assistance Program.


• Investigate other mental health services otip.com/Help-Center/Coronavirus/ Mental-Health-COVID.


• Review other mental health advice from ETFO’s PRS Matters etfo.ca.


In years to come, educators may find the word “pivot” to be a trigger that brings them back to the feelings of stress and anxiety that they experienced over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic’s first waves. Along with the other professional burdens, educa- tors didn’t feel safe at work and/or they were challenged by virtual instruction which impacted their mental health. With the pre- existing workload and burnout issues, work environments are ready for change. Let’s assert our rights to safe and healthy work- places. Let’s make sure the law acknowledges mental health injuries at work as occupa- tional illness and everyone gets the support they need during difficult times. This can happen, not just through the advocacy of ETFO to change systems, but as individual educators stand up for themselves and take care of themselves. n


If you or someone you know is in cri- sis, please seek immediate assistance:


• Go to your nearest hospital/emer- gency department,


• Call 211 (211ontario.ca/) to find appropriate supports in your com- munity, or,


• Call 911.


Elizabeth Mitchell is an executive staff member at ETFO.


”EVERY PROFESSION HAS ITS STRESSES, AND EVERY LIFE WILL HAVE TOUGH TIMES. MOST STRESS IS MANAGEABLE AND MOST TOUGH TIMES GET BETTER. BUT EVERY YEAR ONE IN FIVE CANADIANS EXPERIENCES A MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEM OR ILLNESS, AND THE PANDEMIC CREATED A VARIETY OF STRESSES THAT CAN IMPACT MENTAL HEALTH.”


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