Abstract
Employee mental health is an important issue facing workplaces today. According to The Centre for Addictions and Mental Health, half a million Canadians miss work each week due to mental illness, mental illness is the leading cause of disability in Canada, and the cost of mental illness in Canada will reach $2.5 trillion.
We continue to implement a mental health program that fosters psychological safety and provide support to the leadership to be the champions of change.
What we are currently doing:
We are currently providing educational opportunities for employees and leadership in mental health awareness. We have also encouraged all levels of leadership to participate in Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) and have made Mental Health First Aid training available to all employees and their families.
A Global Psychological Health & Safety Policy has been developed and being implemented company wide. Once finalized, all leadership will be provided with training to promote psychological wellbeing.
The Mental Health and Addictions Consultant has been attending meetings with management and front-line workers to advise of available support and providing education on various mental health conditions and how to implement appropriate interventions to fit employees’ needs.
We have established an on-site mental health and addictions counselling and psychoeducational service. All employees have access to a regulated health professional who will be available to provide in person and/or virtual services to anyone who may require support, external referral services, and/or information regarding services available within various communities.
Objectives
1. Psychological Health & Safety Training for all employees in leadership positions
2. Establish a formalized documentation process to track progress of referrals
Developing a committed and informed leadership team will help engage and empower those in positions of authority. Leaders will be equipped with the tools to respond to employees appropriately.