Thanks to an initiative by Canada Post, you can now support mental health every time you mail a letter.

How? In a marvelous bid to reduce the impact of mental illness and stigma, Canada Post has adopted mental illness as its "Cause of Choice" and commissioned a commemorative stamp to mark the occasion.

To learn more about the stamp and the campaign, the Douglas Institute met with Canada Post's Anthony Wilson-Smith, Vice-President of Communications, and Janie L. Randolph, Director Cause of Choice.

First of all, congratulations!

How did this great initiative come about?

A W-S: It started because we have a vested interest in the mental health of our employees. We know that mental illness reduces the quality of life for our workforce and takes a big bite out of our productivity. We also know that medication for anxiety and depression are among the top five medications prescribed for our employees. That means that mental illness is a huge problem, and we're certainly not alone. It's common in today's companies.

Our CEO, Moya Greene, took the lead in this initiative when she came on board in May 2008. First, she surveyed employees on what cause they would like Canada Post to support. When health-related issues topped the list, she visited our plants and depots and talked to staff about the option of supporting mental health. When she saw they were receptive, the decision was made and approved by our Board. Now Canada Post is the first large Canadian company to have mental illness as its Cause of Choice—which means we're making a long-term, significant commitment to improving the mental health of our employees and of Canadians throughout the country.

Tell us about the stamp and its message.

J L.R: The stamp is called "Moving Out of the Shadows." It's inspired by the Kirby Commission Report of the same name. The stamp depicts a person broadcasting the plight of people with mental illness. Its message is clear: Mental illness can't hide in the shadows any longer. We reject the stigma that keeps it hidden. It's time for compassion and effective treatment to be the norm.

You can buy the stamps in packages of ten at any post office depot in Canada. You'll pay an additional dollar per booklet, which goes to our newly established Canada Post Foundation for Mental Illness and Mental Health. The money is then used for grants that support mental health initiatives throughout the country.

How have your employees responded?

A W-S: They've been fantastic supporters of mental health through their United Way contributions. They've also volunteered to promote the stamp on the job throughout Canada. Imagine—72,000 employees in every community from coast to coast acting as ambassadors for mental health! That's pretty exciting. Other groups, like our suppliers, customers, trustees, etc. are also strongly behind the project.

Are you taking other steps to promote mental health?

A. W.-S: Absolutely. We're planning an additional employee fundraising event for this May and continuing our tradition as a Platinum Plus Sponsor of Mental Health Awareness Week in October. And this year, we'll launch a new mental health commemorative stamp.

Now, to that important bottom line … How much money have you raised?

J L.R : We're thrilled to say that our Foundation has already raised more than $1 million, and that's just since October 2008. We'll start awarding grants this summer, with a focus on projects that involve increasing capacity to deliver front-line services and on supporting families that are dealing with mental illness.
We also have a prominent slate of trustees who will help us get our campaign message out.

In closing, how is this campaign affecting you on a personal level?

J L.R: For me, it's an honour to be making a difference. My family has experienced addiction, and the mental health problems related to addiction, so I know how important an issue this is.

A W-S: I tell my kids what Canada Post is doing to improve mental health, and why. And they get it. For that and many other reasons, it's the most exciting project I've ever been involved in.

On behalf of the Douglas community, congratulations on this ground-breaking initiative. May it inspire other companies, big and small, to do the same.