ATB Financial: Transforming mental health in the workplace

In 2023, a decade-long Canadian study on mental health found that there has been an increase in symptoms of depression by more than 60 per cent, and the number of people with anxiety disorders has more than doubled.

Mental health awareness has reached an all time high in the corporate world. Today in 2024, many organizations are proudly showcasing their mental health initiatives and the support they’re providing their employees. During Mental Health Awareness Month in May, we caught up with a trailblazer leading the way for mental health strategy implementation in the workplace to learn more about what she’s doing for her organization.

Kerilee Snatenchuk, Managing Director and Head of Wellness Recognition and Benefits at ATB Financial, has been at the organization for 15 years, spending 13 developing their mental health strategy. As a result of Kerilee and her team’s hard work, ATB Financial supports team members by offering a vast and impressive variety of mental health programs, resources and initiatives. These range from floater days and leadership training to an easily accessible telemedicine platform with virtual therapy and a new peer support network pilot project. This extensive range of support for the organization took a long time, with humble beginnings 13 years ago, and it all began with “a wellness strategy and a little bit of data,” says Kerilee.

Growing your organization’s mental health strategy

“Sometimes in organizations, a lot of people can be very interested and agree that it’s a very good idea to have a mental health strategy, support and resources, but if its all grassroots, it doesn’t move forward and it doesn’t change things.”

Kerilee is often asked how ATB Financial reached a point where its strategy is as evolved as it is. While she acknowledges the organization still has a lot of work to do, she always emphasizes that their progress took time and required senior leadership support. Kerilee explains that it’s not enough that the conversations about mental health support and awareness stay at the grassroots level; it is integral to a strategy’s success that senior leadership is involved in not only supporting the execution of programs and initiatives, but that they are strong advocates of mental health awareness themselves.

Curtis Stange, CEO of ATB Financial, has been a strong advocate for mental health awareness, being one of many leaders playing a big role in contributing to the de-stigmatization of mental health at the organization. Additionally, ATB financial has encouraged open dialogues, and specific leadership training to educate leaders on how to discuss mental health along with an internal communications network that shares stories of other team members who have overcome mental health challenges.

It’s this comprehensive approach and the willing participation of leaders to support the strategy that has helped the organization achieve recognition as the first certified digitally well organization.

ATB Financial received the honour from the Digital Wellness Institute, the same year they achieved a virtual therapy uptake of 27% utilization, well above the industry average, and created an environment of reduced stigma where even executives openly discuss their workplace and mental health challenges.

Even with all these achievements, Kerilee aspires for ATB to become the most mentally healthy workplace in Canada.

Future aspirations for ATB Financial and it’s mental health strategy

“Our goal is to be part of the power that makes Alberta the most mentally healthy place in Canada. And so, that starts with ATB being the most mentally healthy workplace in Canada.”

Kerilee has hope for ATB Financial to become a big player in influencing organizations across Alberta to become a more mentally healthy place to work. She understands that achieving this goal will be a joint effort between stakeholders, clients, community and team members to influence the way mental health in the workplace is addressed in Alberta. Consequently, this is why ATB Financial has programs supporting women, entrepreneurs and now a pilot program helping some of their smaller clients develop EAP programs on the level that historically only larger organizations may have.

Kerilee is also in the process of rolling out a peer support pilot project for the organization, a decision based on research that has demonstrated that peer support can help with battling mental health challenges in the workplace. Additionally, Kerilee is looking into utilizing new and more impactful ways to engage team members in learning using AI and microlearning. She is also tackling the notoriously difficult challenge of measuring the impact of mental health initiatives and programs on team member’s well being and what that means for an organization’s overall goals.

“At the heart of this, we know that people are the thing that drives our business forward. If we can’t support our people, we can’t support our clients, our community, or our stakeholders. Keeping that in mind, we want the best for our people so they can thrive. Having all these elements in place, we believe, is a positive.”

Cenovus: Our Mental Health Pillar Partner

In an effort to continue reducing stigma and empowering strength, Cenovus Energy has become the Calgary Chamber's Mental Health Pillar Partner. This transformational three-year partnership will promote mental health awareness, resources and education across all sectors and business sizes. It will also encourage employers, leaders and employees to maintain an ongoing focus on their own well-being and the well-being of those around them.