November 14, 2025 - The Superior Mental Wellness @ Work Advisory Group has unveiled a new multi-media campaign: Small effort. Giant impact, which inspires workplace leaders and coworkers to recognize that small gestures of compassion can make a big difference to someone struggling with their mental health.
The campaign was developed after interviews with local employees revealed that the actions of supervisors and coworkers had a major impact on the trajectory of mental health recovery. Listening, offering support and showing understanding may not take much effort, but doing so cultivates a work environment that enables people to feel valued and cared for.
The campaign comes as the Northwestern Ontario Workplace and Worker Health Study (NOWWHS) is currently underway. Preliminary data from the research indicates that some employees in our region are reporting high and extremely-high levels of work-related burnout. As well, many workers say that their working conditions are affecting their mental health. The numbers reflect the real human struggles that people deal with at work. Small effort. Giant Impact. endeavours to ensure that workers get the important support they need.
The development of the campaign followed a rigorous process for aligning the messaging from the initial research outcomes and then testing the draft materials with the target audience. Taking the time to follow these critical steps has generated confidence that the campaign is on the right track.
The cornerstone of the campaign features an animated video that plays out two opposing scenarios in the workplace, illustrating the impact that small acts of mental health support can have when someone is struggling. There’s also a poster for employees and a tip sheet for workplace leaders. The campaign components can be accessed at Superior Mental Wellness at Work, which also provides a vast inventory of resources to promote mental health in the workplace.
Quotes
“When supervisors and coworkers show empathy and openness to talking about mental health, employees are more likely to seek help early and stay engaged at work. This is critical, not only for the workers themselves and their families, but it also benefits the organization for retaining good staff too.”
- Lynda Fraser, Health Promotion Planner, Thunder Bay District Health Unit
“This program of research, from initial investigation to intervention development and testing, is an excellent example of research into action and the power of translating research knowledge into mechanisms to improve health and safety."
- Dr. Vicki Kristman, Director, Enhancing the Prevention of Injury & Disability at Work Research Institute and Ontario Research Chair in Injury and Disability Prevention at Lakehead University
About Superior Mental Wellness @ Work
The Superior Mental Wellness @ Work project is a community partnership initiative coordinated by the Thunder Bay District Health Unit. It involves over 20 organizations from multiple sectors. Working together, the group aims to create workplace environments that reduce psychological hazards and maintain positive mental health for employees in Thunder Bay and the District. Complementary to the Get Real photovoice initiative, the project provides education opportunities and a variety of free resources.
About EPID@Work
Enhancing the Prevention of Injury and Disability at Work is a research institute at Lakehead University, which conducts community-driven research in the areas of work-related injury and disability prevention with a particular focus on issues relevant to Northwestern Ontario. -30- For more information: TBDHU Media Line 807-625-7994 or news@tbdhu.com