Implementing the National Standard for Psychological Health & Safety in the Workplace From research findings to taking action Sandra Koppert, Program Manager, Mental Health Commission of Canada Nitika Rewari, Program Manager, Mental Health Commission of Canada February 24, 2016

Introductions

Group Activity What is your organization doing to address mental health in your workplace? 1. Jot down thoughts on your own 2. Discuss at your table 3. Report back

The Mental Health Strategy for Canada The Strategy calls for the creation of mentally healthy workplaces, including the broad-based adoption of standards for psychological health and safety.

National Standard for Psychological Health & Safety in the Workplace Programs Workplace awareness campaigns Occupational health services department Integrated wellness program Peer support programs Self-help tools Programs Workplace awareness campaigns Occupational health services department Integrated wellness program Peer support programs Self-help tools Policies Accommodation policies Return to work plans Employee recognition Space for privacy (e.g. quite room) Policies Accommodation policies Return to work plans Employee recognition Space for privacy (e.g. quite room) Benefits EAP or EFAP STD & LTD leave Paid leave for medical appointments or family obligations Prescription drug coverage Coverage for psychological services Benefits EAP or EFAP STD & LTD leave Paid leave for medical appointments or family obligations Prescription drug coverage Coverage for psychological services Training Resiliency Mental health training (e.g. MHFA) Anti-stigma training (e.g. The Working Mind) Respect in the workplace Management training Training Resiliency Mental health training (e.g. MHFA) Anti-stigma training (e.g. The Working Mind) Respect in the workplace Management training Assessment Employee surveys (Guarding Work) Interactive Audit Tool Mental Health at Work (Excellence Canada) Health risk assessments Assessment Employee surveys (Guarding Work) Interactive Audit Tool Mental Health at Work (Excellence Canada) Health risk assessments

Free Download csa.ca/z100 3

The National Standard The Standard is a set of guidelines, tools & resources focused on promoting employees’ psychological health & preventing psychological harm due to workplace factors Voluntary – set of tools, not rules Aligned on existing standards and tools Applicable to any organization Intended to enable employers and employees measure progress

Purpose of the National Standard Prevent psychological harm from conditions in the workplace Promote psychological health in the workplace through support

National Standard for Psychological Health & Safety in the Workplace Programs Workplace awareness campaigns Occupational health services department Integrated wellness program Peer support programs Self-help tools Programs Workplace awareness campaigns Occupational health services department Integrated wellness program Peer support programs Self-help tools Policies Accommodation policies Return to work plans Employee recognition Space for privacy (e.g. quite room) Policies Accommodation policies Return to work plans Employee recognition Space for privacy (e.g. quite room) Benefits EAP or EFAP STD & LTD leave Paid leave for medical appointments or family obligations Prescription drug coverage Coverage for psychological services Benefits EAP or EFAP STD & LTD leave Paid leave for medical appointments or family obligations Prescription drug coverage Coverage for psychological services Training Resiliency Mental health training (e.g. MHFA) Anti-stigma training (e.g. The Working Mind) Respect in the workplace Management training Training Resiliency Mental health training (e.g. MHFA) Anti-stigma training (e.g. The Working Mind) Respect in the workplace Management training Assessment Employee surveys (Guarding Work) Interactive Audit Tool Mental Health at Work (Excellence Canada) Health risk assessments Assessment Employee surveys (Guarding Work) Interactive Audit Tool Mental Health at Work (Excellence Canada) Health risk assessments Accreditation/Certification

Who Developed the National Standard? COLLABORATORS FUNDING PARTNERS

Group Activity What are some of the challenges your organization is facing to address mental health in your workplace? 1. Jot down thoughts on your own 2. Discuss at your table 3. Report back

Geographic representation of participating organizations (head office locations only) Case Study Project

/ 13 1.Active leadership support 2.Adequate structure and resources 3.Organizational size 4.Psychological health awareness 5.Existing Psychological Health & Safety processes, policies, and programs 6.Prior Implementation Experience 7.Connection Implementation Facilitators

/ 14 1.Limited access to psychological health data 2.Significant organizational change 3.Inconsistent leadership support 4.Lack of demonstrated employee awareness 5.Inadequate resources 6.Conceptual confusion (e.g. critical events, excessive stress) Implementation Barriers

Navigate the Journey MHCC and the CSA Group collaborated to develop “Assembling the Pieces: An Implementation Guide to the National Standard for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace”

Building the Foundation

Securing champion Leadership support Roles and responsibilities defined Policy development Worker consultation and participation

Identifying Opportunities

Establish baseline Data collection Organizational audit Hazard identification Data and trend analysis Organizational risk assessment

Setting Objectives

Develop vision Set objectives and targets Establish implementation team Develop implementation strategy

Implementing the Plan

Implement the strategy Establish corrective and preventive action process Establish reporting and incident investigation process Establish performance monitoring process Internal audits Management review Continuous improvement

Big changes happen one small step at a time.

Next Steps

Resources Download Action Guide for Employers - provides guidelines that encourage executive leadership to commit to making mental health in their workplace a priorityAction Guide for Employers Visit Great-West Life Centre for Mental Health in the Workplace for free tools & resources: Train employees in Mental Health First Aid so they can recognize emerging mental health problems or crises in themselves and their colleagues, and provide initial help Health First Aid Take advantage of the free and comprehensive set of resources offered by Guarding Minds at Work to help protect and promote psychological health and safety in the workplace Minds at Workhttp:// Learn about additional solutions for employers and supports for employees offered by Mental Health Works, a national program of the Canadian Mental Health Association Mental Health Works Join Partners for Mental Health in taking the pledge to support the improvement of mental health for all Canadians. for Mental Healthhttp://

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MHCC Contacts Sandra Koppert Program Manager Prevention and Promotion - Workplace Nitika Rewari Program Manager Prevention and Promotion - Workplace

Visit: Follow us: The views represented herein solely represent the views of the Mental Health Commission of Canada. Production of this document is made possible through a financial contribution from Health Canada. Les opinions exprimées aux présentes sont celles de la Commission de la santé mentale du Canada. La production de ce document a été rendue possible grâce à la contribution financière de Santé Canada. Thank you