Harmoni Jones, health promotion coordinator, demonstrates how to use Lethbridge College’s new mental health program, Kognito. Kognito is designed to increase awareness for faculty, staff and students about mental health and suicide prevention techniques. It shows you what you should and shouldn’t say to a person dealing with a mental health illness.

The lack of knowledge surrounding mental illness is a growing concern in the workplace.

According to a survey conducted by Morneau Shepell, one in three workers in Canada have or have had a mental illness.

Health and safety coordinator at Lethbridge College, Laura Morden, says employers don’t have the knowledge to approach someone who is possibly battling stress at work.

“I would say it’s the lack of knowledge on how to approach an individual who has experienced a mental health issue in their world.”

https://soundcloud.com/seth-slomp/morden-clip/s-ahWGF

Morden spoke yesterday at a discussion forum at the college on how to handle workers who are battling a mental health illness.