The mental health crisis is incredibly complex with <a href="https://cmha.ca/fast-facts-about-mental-illness" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">one in five Canadians</a>* personally experiencing a mental health problem in any given year. Mental health can affect Starbucks partners (employees) in their personal lives, in their stores, and in the neighbourhoods we serve, which is why the company is committed to eliminating the stigma and providing ongoing mental health resources and support.&nbsp;

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Partner care has always been at the core of Starbucks. The company is constantly listening to partner feedback to inform how it will enhance the innovative benefits it offers to support them and their families. Starbucks wants to ensure that every partner, in every store, knows how and where to seek help for themselves and others.

Mental health is a fundamental part of our humanity, and Starbucks is committed to providing its partners with resources that are truly relevant to their needs.&nbsp;

Read on to learn more about Starbucks mental health initiatives.&nbsp;

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A reimagined mental health care benefit

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LifeWorks, a leading digital wellness platform and app, becomes available to all 24,000 Canadian partners and their family members in August, offering access to critical support services, such as uncapped short-term 24/7 counselling sessions and financial advice.&nbsp;

The <a href="https://stories.starbucks.ca/en/stories/2020/starbucks-canada-invests-in-comprehensive-total-wellness-for-its-partners-at-a-critical-time/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reimagined mental health benefit</a> is more accessible, robust and tailored to partners specific needs than ever before. Going beyond the traditional Employee Assistance Program (EAP) services, such as counselling, referrals, and advice, LifeWorks provides a more comprehensive mental, financial, physical and lifestyle health resource for all partners, including those working fewer than 20-hours a week who may not be eligible for benefits.&nbsp;

Dedicated mental health training

In July, Starbucks invests in mental health training for store managers in Canada and the U.S. Developed by the National Council for Behavioral Health and inspired by<a href="https://www.mhfa.ca/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Mental Health First Aid</a>, the program teaches partners the skills to listen for, recognize and respond to signs of mental illness and substance use.&nbsp;

This training equips Starbucks leaders with the tools and knowledge to guide their teams at any stage of a mental health crisis. This additional in-store support also means retail partners can feel comfortable talking to their leaders about their mental health challenges and be able to easily find resources specific to their needs.

A mindful investment&nbsp;

In January, Starbucks adds the <a href="https://stories.starbucks.ca/en/stories/2020/starbucks-headspace-mental-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">meditation app Headspace</a> to its suite of comprehensive benefits and resources to support its partners. All Canadian partners — as well as over 200,000 partners in North American stores and offices — receive a subscription. Partners can sign up and get access to hundreds of themed sessions and easy guided meditations on everything from stress and sleep to focus and anxiety.&nbsp;

Research shows many mental health-related <a href="https://www.headspace.com/meditation/benefits" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">benefits of meditation</a>. With this powerful tool, partners will be able to improve their overall well-being in a long-lasting, positive way.

Starbucks $5,000 per year mental health benefit includes an even greater list of practitioners this year. This includes psychotherapists, social workers, psychologists, guidance counsellors, marriage counsellors, and couple and family therapists.&nbsp;

Declaring mental health matters

Starbucks lays out its comprehensive mental health initiative at a <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2019/12000-starbucks-partners-gather-in-chicago-for-transformative-leadership-experience/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chicago leadership event</a> in September, which brings together 12,000 store managers and field leaders from Canada and the U.S. “Together, we’re on a mission to take a stand, help break the stigma, and get even more partners and their family the support they need,” Starbucks chief partner officer, Lucy Helm said.

Continuing the conversation

The leadership event sparks conversations about mental well-being and emotional health. Partners begin sharing dialogue, feedback and ideas regarding mental health and well-being in the company’s Mental Health Matters online forum, with nearly 5,000 partners contributing.

Supporting Starbucks leaders

In partnership with mental health experts, Starbucks creates a pocketbook resource to provide Starbucks leaders with resources to support mental health conversations with their partners. The guide also directs leaders on how to support a partner who is having a mental health crisis.

The <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2019/update-on-starbucks-ongoing-diversity-equity-and-inclusion-efforts/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Third Place Development Series</a> training rolls out to partners in Canada and the U.S. The training focuses on creating a warm, welcoming and inclusive environment in Starbucks stores and corporate offices, and tackles topics such as loneliness, vulnerability, mindful decision making, building resiliency, and the power of small acts and conversation to strengthen human connection.&nbsp;

Starbucks Canada launches an unprecedented <a href="https://stories.starbucks.ca/en/stories/2016/starbucks-canada-mental-health-benefit/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">$5,000 per year mental health benefit</a> for all eligible employees, who work a minimum of 20 hours per week, and their dependents. This represents among the highest mental health benefits offered at any company in Canada across all industries. Most employer support for mental health covers the cost of three to four counselling sessions without recovery or mitigation, whereas a $5,000 benefit will allow for longer-term treatment.&nbsp;

Starbucks offers full extended health and dental care benefits to eligible full and part-time partners, including a mental health benefit.

*Source: <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://cmha.ca/fast-facts-about-mental-illness" target="_blank">Canadian Mental Health Association</a>

Mental health can affect Starbucks partners (employees) in their personal lives, in their stores, and in the neighbourhoods we serve, which is why the company is committed to eliminating the stigma and providing ongoing mental health resources and support.

Starbucks Canada’s Comprehensive Mental Health Initiative: A Timeline

Starbucks Canada

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https://stories.starbucks.ca/en-ca/stories/2020/starbucks-canada-comprehensive-mental-health-initiative-a-timeline/

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Starbucks is boosting over 23,000 employees’ well-being with meditation app Headspace

Mental health is more than just a buzzword. <a href="https://cmha.ca/fast-facts-about-mental-illness" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)">One in five Canadians</a> personally experience a mental health problem in any given year, according to the Canadian Mental Health Association. That’s why Starbucks Canada is committed to being a leading employer when it comes to mental health support.&nbsp;

Nearly four years ago, the company launched an <a href="https://stories.starbucks.ca/en/stories/2016/starbucks-canada-mental-health-benefit/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)">unpre</a><a href="https://stories.starbucks.ca/en/stories/2016/starbucks-canada-mental-health-benefit/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="c (opens in a new tab)">c</a><a href="https://stories.starbucks.ca/en/stories/2016/starbucks-canada-mental-health-benefit/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)">edented $5,000 mental health benefit</a> based on feedback from partners (employees) across the country. Now, to make mental health support even more accessible, the company is providing all partners with a free subscription to the meditation app <a href="https://www.headspace.com/headspace-meditation-app" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)">Headspace</a>, starting January 6, 2020.&nbsp;

That means all Canadian partners — as well as over 200,000 partners in North American stores and offices — will receive access. 

Starbucks Canada is working towards eliminating the stigma around mental health in the workplace by taking a holistic approach. Offering a free Headspace subscription to all partners is just the latest way the company is working towards that goal.

Over the years, the company has learned that eliminating the mental health stigma is about more than just starting the conversation. It’s about educating everyone so that they feel supported and ready to have the dialogue. 

As a result, the company created a pocketbook resource to help partners support someone who is having a mental health crisis. The tool was launched last year as a companion to the annual $5,000 mental health benefit available to every partner who works a minimum of 20 hours per week, as well as their dependents.&nbsp;

Additionally, Starbucks has rolled out a <a href="https://www.starbucks.ca/responsibility%2Flearn-more%2Fpolicies%2Fthird-place" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)">Third Place</a> training series focused on various topics such as vulnerability and mindful decision making. And last September, it offered <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2019/12000-starbucks-partners-gather-in-chicago-for-transformative-leadership-experience/" target="_blank">mental health mindfulness support</a> to 12,000 store managers and field leaders in Chicago.

The launch of the Headspace subscription is an extension of Starbucks Canada’s commitment to supporting partners in their mental health journey. Headspace offers guided meditations, informative videos, articles, and animations to help users live a happier, healthier life.&nbsp;

Studies show that there are numerous <a href="https://www.headspace.com/meditation/benefits" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)">mental and physical benefits</a> to mindfulness meditation. Not only can it help people effectively manage stress and reduce anxiety, but it can also increase focus and even help you sleep better at night.

With this powerful tool, partners will be able to improve their overall well-being in a long-lasting, positive way.&nbsp;

There are countless reasons why supporting mental health is of high importance to Starbucks Canada, but one of the biggest is because the company is a leading youth employer, where the average age is 24. This is significant because that’s the same age by which <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/statistics/mental-health-statistics-children-and-young-people" target="_blank">75 per cent of mental health problems present</a> themselves.&nbsp;

By arming partners with resources and support, they will be better able to curb and cope with mental health problems at home and in the workplace.&nbsp;

Looking ahead, the company intends to implement a new Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to connect more partners with specific resources and support. Dedicated mental health trainings for store managers will also roll out in Canada and the U.S. in the coming months, inspired by <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.mhfa.ca/" target="_blank">Mental Health First Aid</a>.

Mental health is an important issue facing many Canadians today and Starbucks Canada is committed to ending the stigma.&nbsp;

A group of Starbucks partners (employees) are seen smiling at the camera.

To make mental health support more accessible, Starbucks is providing all partners (employees) with a free subscription to the meditation app Headspace.

Starbucks Offers Headspace Subscriptions to Partners as Part of a Comprehensive Mental Health Initiative

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https://stories.starbucks.ca/en-ca/stories/2020/starbucks-headspace-mental-health/

Company commits to 10 times increase in mental health benefits to $5,000 per year

Toronto, ON – Starbucks Canada announced today that starting October 1, 2016 it will be increasing its mental health benefits to $5,000 per year for all eligible employees, who work a minimum of 20 hours per week, and their dependents. This represents among the highest mental health benefits offered at any company in Canada across all industries. According to a study by Morneau Shepell, one-in-three working Canadians report having, or having had, a mental health condition such as depression or an anxiety disorder. Starbucks commitment comes at a critical time when immediate action is required to support mental health treatment in Canada.

“At Starbucks we care about our partners, and from the very start of our company we have been an industry leader in benefits. Last year we held open forums across the country with our partners and heard first-hand that receiving mental health support is important to them,” said Sara Presutto, vice president, human resources, Starbucks Canada. “The statistics are very clear that mental health is an important issue that is affecting many Canadians. We do not believe the current level of support for mental health benefits provided by Canadian employers is sufficient and we encourage all companies in Canada to step up and join this important effort.” 

With the average age of Starbucks employees being 24, the company is a leading employer for young people. This is an important age where early intervention can help ensure a healthy future. Up to 75 per cent of mental health problems have an age of onset occurring in childhood, adolescence or young adulthood. The prevalence of mental health problems and illnesses among emerging adults rises progressively as they transition to adulthood and peaks by the time they reach 29 years of age.&nbsp; It is estimated that of the 1.2 million Canadian children and youth affected by mental illness, less than 20 per cent will receive appropriate treatment.&nbsp;In fact, the mental health and well-being of emerging adults during this time of life predicts good or poor health late into adulthood.

&nbsp;“Given most adults spend more of their waking hours at work than anywhere else – and with many youth holding at least part-time jobs – addressing issues of mental health at work is vitally important,” said Louise Bradley, President and CEO of the Mental Health Commission of Canada.&nbsp; “The progressive action taken today by Starbucks Canada demonstrates leadership and sets a bar to which all employers can aspire.”

Mental health is a complex issue and many different solutions are required to treat dramatically varying needs. Mental health can be affected by bereavement, changing life stages, caring for elderly parents, dealing with illnesses such as depression and anxiety, among many more factors. The company’s enhanced benefit will add significant access to psychological and social worker services for its workforce. Most employer support for mental health covers the cost of three to four counselling sessions without recovery or mitigation, whereas a $5,000 benefit will allow for longer-term treatment.

At the same time, Starbucks is continuing its long-term commitment to providing part-time employees, working a minimum of 20 hours per week, with “full-time” benefits including; health, dental, tuition reimbursements, company stocks, future savings, career and personal support services. The company also offers an Employee Assistance Plan (EAP) to all employees which provides mental health support, including short-term services.

The company commits to increasing their mental health benefits 10 times to $5,000 per year to provide more support to its partners (employees).

Starbucks Canada Launches Unprecedented Mental Health Benefit

https://stories.starbucks.ca/en-ca/stories/2016/starbucks-canada-mental-health-benefit/

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Starbucks Canada’s Comprehensive Mental Health Initiative: A Timeline

Starbucks Offers Headspace Subscriptions to Partners as Part of a Comprehensive Mental Health Initiative

Starbucks Canada Launches Unprecedented Mental Health Benefit