Mental Health Week 2026: Connection Matters at Work
Mental Health Week takes place May 4–10, 2026, and this year the Canadian Mental Health Association theme is Come Together, Canada: Stronger connections, better mental health. The campaign highlights the role connection plays in resilience, belonging, and overall well-being.
For many SAFA members, the past year has brought significant strain. Restructuring, larger class sizes, shifting workloads, and position abolishments have created stress and uncertainty. During times like these, connection matters, and SAFA encourages members to use available supports and reach out to colleagues.
Mental Health & Well-Being Supports
The information on these services can be found on SAITNow under Life and Career > Wellbeing page:
- GreenShield+: Reduced-cost mental health supports available to all employees.
- Employee & Family Assistance Program (EFAP): Confidential support available to salaried employees for mental health, financial/legal advice, and general wellness.
- Headversity: An app available to all employees with tools to help manage daily stress.
Mental Health Week is also a reminder that well-being is shaped by workplace conditions. Supportive relationships matter, but so does reasonable workloads, respectful leadership, clear communication, and psychological safety.
Supports Through SAFA and the Collective Agreement
- Joint SAFA/SAIT Health & Safety Committee: Members can raise workplace safety and occupational health concerns through SAFA for discussion at this committee.
- SAFA/SAIT Faculty Workload Monitoring Group (WMG): Provides a formal process to address workload concerns – one of the biggest contributors to stress.
- SAFA/SAIT Faculty Workload Guidelines Committee (FWGC): The FWGC has begun work to review and improve current workload guidelines.
- SAFA Member events: Opportunities to connect with colleagues, share experiences, and build community.
SAFA continues to advocate for fair and healthy working conditions while encouraging care and solidarity among colleagues. Mental health is shaped by both individual supports and the workplace environment. This Mental Health Week, take a moment to reconnect with those around you. Stronger workplaces are built when people feel informed, supported, and connected.
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SAFA at ACIFA: Connecting across Alberta
SAFA Officers and a number of our members are attending the ACIFA Conference in Jasper this week, with participation supported by SAFA. This conference brings together faculty association members from across Alberta to share ideas, attend workshops, and engage in discussions on teaching, working conditions, and post-secondary issues.
We wish all attendees an engaging experience, and safe travels home.
If you’re attending and would like to share your experience in a future SAFA newsletter, we welcome photos and short write-ups. Please contact Jessica Norman for more information.
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Upcoming SAFA Meetings & Events
SAFA Election
- Advanced Poll 2 – May 7, 2026, 10am-4pm, SAFA Office
- Electronic Voting – May 14, 2026
SAFA BBQ – May 21, 2026, 4pm | Macdonald Hall
SAFA AGM – May 28, 2026, 4pm | Macdonald Hall or Online