Vale Canada – Newfoundland and Labrador Operations is Partnering with the Mood Disorders Society of Canada’s Elephant in the Room Anti-Stigma Campaign

For Immediate Release

Vale Canada – Newfoundland and Labrador Operations is Partnering with the Mood Disorders Society of Canada’s Elephant in the Room Anti-Stigma Campaign

Mood Disorders Society of Canada is very pleased to announce that Vale Canada Limited – Newfoundland and Labrador Operations has partnered with us on our Elephant in the Room Anti-Stigma Campaign. Vale is a national sponsor of the Mood Disorders Society of Canada and continues to demonstrate commitment to raising awareness and addressing the stigma associated with mental illness within our communities, and workplaces.

The Mental Health Committee at Vale’s Newfoundland and Labrador Operations will be inviting all employees to support the launch of this campaign by bringing the Elephant in the Room – literally and figuratively, into the workplace in the form of a blue elephant. The elephant figurines and bracelets will serve as a small but powerful visual signal that employees who display them have created safe spaces for conversations with individuals experiencing a mental health concern. It will help to break down the invisible barrier that stigma presents to seeking care and support for mental health.

“We are pleased to roll out this Elephant in the Room Anti-Stigma campaign to our employees,” said Roberto Damasceno, Head of Vale’s Newfoundland and Labrador operations. “Ensuring the safety of everyone on the team is one of our key roles as leaders, and mental health is an important part of providing this care. Continuing to provide education opportunities for our employees and creating safe spaces for conversation are important as we all work together to reduce the stigma around mental health. With the launch of the Elephant in the Room Anti-Stigma campaign we are putting the elephant on the table – mental health matters.”

“We are very proud to have Vale Canada Limited – Newfoundland and Labrador Operations implement the MDSC Elephant in the Room anti-stigma campaign to address the prevalence of mental health issues in workplaces. 1 in 5 Canadians are impacted by a mental illness or serious problem each year, by encouraging workers to come forward for help when they need it, will help them receive the support they require to address these illnesses sooner.”, states Dave Gallson, National Executive Director, MDSC.

About the Mood Disorders Society of Canada:

The Mood Disorders Society of Canada was launched in 2001 to provide people with mood disorders, their families and caregivers a strong, cohesive voice at the national level on issues relating to mental health and mental illness. With particular regard to depression, bipolar disorder and other associated mood disorders, the MDSC aims to improve access to treatment, inform research, shape program development and government policy to improve the quality of life for people affected by mood disorders.

For more information link to our website:  www.mdsc.ca

About Vale

Vale base metals business is one of the world’s largest producers of high-quality nickel and an important producer of copper and responsibly sourced cobalt. With headquarters in Toronto, Canada, and operations in Newfoundland & Labrador, Ontario, Manitoba, Indonesia and Brazil, the business delivers critical building blocks for a cleaner, greener future.

For more information, please visit: www.vale.com

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