At IAMGOLD, we’re committed to supporting the mental health and well-being of our employees through a robust array of health benefits, programs and initiatives. Our Westwood team in Québec recently took a slightly unconventional approach to talk about the topic by hosting none other than Jérémy Demay, acclaimed comedian and mental heath advocate for a session onsite.

During his talk, Jérémy reminded our team of the importance of self-care for our mental well-being, sharing a simple yet powerful message: “Let’s embrace our emotions and ourselves fully, and take small daily actions to transform our mindset.” Jérémy encouraged our team to take the first step towards their goals and invited us to practice gratitude, using tools such as visualization to cultivate this mindset. Naturally, he did so with a dose of humour!

Why hire a comedian for such a cause? Our Communications Consultant at Westwood, and the event’s organizer, Pascal Lafortune, shares that the team chose Jérémy for this mental health initiative because with three bestsellers and a compelling personal story, it’s safe to say he knows how to make mental health a more approachable topic. As Pascal says:

“Humor is a powerful tool: it captures our attention and makes messages more memorable. When we laugh, we are more receptive and open to sensitive topics like mental health. This approach also engages a portion of our workforce that is less receptive to traditional conferences, providing entertainment that naturally imparts essential lessons.”

Pascal also noted how quickly Jérémy built a rapport with the Westwood audience. He took the time to include team members in the banter, turning every situation into an opportunity to learn and laugh. The simplicity of Jérémy’s message, "for things to change, you need change," resonated.

On behalf of IAMGOLD and the Westwood team, thank you, Jérémy.

📷 Pictured: Jérémy with Luc Joncas, General Manager of our Westwood Mine.