Transforming Culture: Prioritizing mental health with Cenovus

As the Calgary Chamber’s Mental Health Pillar Partner, Cenovus Energy is leading the way when it comes to mental health support within the workplace.

With mental health becoming an increasingly relevant topic in both the business world and society at large, many organizations are exploring innovative ways to address these concerns, understanding that employee well-being is crucial to company success.

By emphasizing thoughtful discussions and effective resources, Cenovus is committed to making mental health a core aspect of both business and social health.

Changing perceptions

Leora Hornstein, Well-Being Specialist at Cenovus, has been with the organization since 2016. A Registered Nurse, Certified Occupational Health Nurse and trained fitness and yoga instructor, Leora leverages her extensive experience to advance the conversation around mental health at Cenovus. Her efforts are focused on changing perceptions, reducing stigma and advocating for meaningful care.

“Some of my work has involved developing a holistic total health and well-being strategy at Cenovus, focused on protecting and promoting employee well-being, cultivating human-centered work cultures and prioritizing organizational health,” she says.

Recognized with various awards over the years, Leora continues to passionately promote positive health and well-being in the workplace. Beyond launching several successful mental health initiatives with Cenovus, she continues to strategize ways for the organization to foster a supportive environment for all employees.

Fostering a compassionate community

When it comes to mental health, Cenovus has played a major role in the past years to not only prioritize the well-being of their own employees but to inspire other organizations to learn more and follow suit.

“Safety is the top priority at our company, and it’s important our staff come to work with a healthy mind for their own safety as well as those around them. That’s why we strive to make our workplaces physically and psychologically safe environments where staff can be themselves, feel a sense of belonging and thrive,” says Leora.

Recognizing that many employees spend a significant portion of their day at work, Cenovus has let the health and well-being of employees guide their initiatives.

“We’ve partnered with the Canadian Mental Health Association to offer the Not Myself Today program and have mental health training courses available for employees and leaders, which increases mental health literacy and promotes resiliency among employees and managers,” she says.

Additionally, Cenovus has created an employee resource group focused on mental health, MentalHealthMatters, which helps employees access support and resources. This initiative is part of their commitment to building a more open and supportive culture through collaboration, education and communication.

Their dedication is further demonstrated by their six current employee-led, executive-sponsored Inclusion & Diversity networks, aiming to provide a compassionate community for staff to share experiences, access resources and advocate for well-being.

Creating meaningful impact

For organizations looking to increase their awareness and strategize methods to promote positive mental health for their employees, a holistic approach may be the answer to addressing systemic issues and empowering individuals.

With data pointing to the success of a more comprehensive approach to employee mental health and well-being through organizational-level interventions, companies can use this alongside individual interventions to help shape an environment that is not only psychologically safe but encourages open conversations and an inclusive atmosphere.

“Individual-level interventions are still necessary and should include access to a spectrum of meaningful benefits and resources. This helps create a support network throughout the workforce,” says Leora.

Addressing mental health at work also may present challenges for leaders, who may not realize the significant impact they have on their employees' well-being.

According to data from the Workforce Institute at UKG, nearly 70% of people feel their managers have a greater impact on their mental health than their therapist or doctor, equating to the impact of their partner. Leora emphasizes the importance of education in helping leaders create a healthy environment for their teams.

“It’s crucial for leaders to recognize, acknowledge and normalize that staff come to work with their unique lived experiences. This is why it’s critically important we educate our leaders to address these topics in a meaningful and compassionate way.”

She also notes that leaders themselves must prioritize their well-being, seek support and practice self-care.

“By addressing their own mental health needs, leaders can better support their teams, model healthy behaviors and maintain resilience to lead effectively.”

Collaborating for change

Through their collaboration as the Calgary Chamber’s Mental Health Pillar Partner, Cenovus aims to provide specialized programs for more Calgarians and businesses while amplifying the focus on open discussions, proactive approaches and meaningful events related to mental health.

“We are working with the Chamber to build a one-stop-shop toolkit for mental health awareness that will centralize a list of accessible mental health services throughout Calgary. Additionally, we’ll be participating in events and discussions for the Mental Health Forum and the National Depression Screening Day event,” says Leora.

Beyond providing the toolkit and event support, Cenovus will also contribute meaningful thought leadership in the mental health space to be distributed through the Chamber’s website and social channels.

As Cenovus continues to champion mental health awareness through their initiatives, they are not only reshaping its own workplace culture but inspiring other organizations to prioritize employee well-being.

To learn more about Cenovus and their initiatives, visit cenovus.com.

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.