In recent conversations with businesses across Kitchener-Waterloo, a common thread has emerged: teams are tired. While every workplace looks different, the undercurrent of burnout, stress, and emotional strain seems to be everywhere, from factory floors to office boardrooms.
Mental health and well-being in the workplace isn’t a new conversation. But in 2025, it’s no longer a conversation we can afford to postpone.
More than 5 million Canadians aged 15 and older met the diagnostic criteria for a mood, anxiety, or substance use disorder in the span of just one year, according to Statistics Canada. As the Ontario Chamber of Commerce notes in its 2025 Economic Report, the province is experiencing a mental health “echo pandemic”— with lasting impacts on people, workplaces, and communities.
While 71% of Ontario businesses recognize that employee mental health and well-being are key to their organization’s success, only 41% currently have a formal strategy in place. Among small businesses, that number drops to just 32%.
Add in limited access to primary care and rising reports of opioid-related harm, and it’s no surprise that employers are feeling overwhelmed.
But here’s the opportunity: workplace well-being doesn’t have to start with a formal strategy. It can start with a conversation.
A 5-minute Practice That Can Make a Difference
At OCTC, our team begins every meeting with a check-in. The first five to ten minutes are set aside to ask: How are you? What’s on your mind? We ask and we listen. This simple practice has helped foster a supportive, psychologically safe team culture despite working fully remote.
Small changes like this can make a big difference. When employees feel safe to share what they need — whether it’s time, space, or accommodation — they’re more likely to stay engaged.
Practical Tools to Support You and Your Team
If you’re looking for practical and free resources to get started or improve your approach, these tools offer strong foundations:
A free mental health program for Ontario’s healthcare sector offering live workshops, e-learning, and tools to address workplace stress and psychological safety.
A clear, actionable guide with five recommendations for business leaders committed to supporting employee well-being.
Tailored to help employers create accessible workplaces for employees who have a mental health disability. Includes interactive courses and training modules.
You can also explore the Greater Kitchener-Waterloo Chamber’s Mental Health Resource Hub for additional supports and local services.
A Final Thought
Supporting your team’s mental health doesn’t require a major overhaul. It starts with listening, being open, and with creating space for people to be human—especially when the pressures of work and life feel heavy.
This month, as we observe Mental Health Awareness Month and prepare for National Accessibility Week (May 26–June 1), we invite all business leaders to take action. A check-in, a new training or a conversation that helps strengthen their workplace.
The Ontario Corporate Training Centre (OCTC) is here to help businesses bridge the gap. Through free disability awareness and confidence training, along with support connecting to local employment service providers, OCTC offers practical, easy-to-implement solutions to help teams thrive.
