The mental health of workers is an emerging priority for Alberta employers. The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) in Alberta believes building mental health capacity in all workplaces will reduce the financial cost of mental illness on the economy.
In Canada, 500,000 employees are unable to attend work due to mental illness, and employees report stress as the primary cause of their mental health problems (23). The Standard for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace was developed in Canada in 2013 and includes 13 psychosocial factors that affect the mental health of all working Albertans. Employers who wish to improve the mental health and wellness of their employees should consider these factors to create mentally healthy working environments.
CMHA Alberta Division’s Certified Psychological Health and Safety Advisor Training is a groundbreaking certification training program for individuals and consultants who want to help organizations improve psychological health and safety in their workplaces.
CMHA in Alberta provides Mental Health Works, a suite of capacity building workshops on workplace mental health for both employers and employees. Our approach is person-centered, evidence-based and solutions-focused. We meet the needs of workplaces for mental health training in three essential areas: awareness, responding and collaboration.
To share industry-leading workplace mental health initiatives and education with the employees and employers of the province, CMHA Alberta Division hosts the annual Working Stronger conference. Working Stronger is two days of dialogue, information exchange and networking to advance mental health in the workplace. It involves an array of keynote speakers, workshops and presentations to provide workplaces with real-world tools and resources for all organization types.
“It’s critical that employers consider the mental health of the entire workforce and develop a strategy that addresses all levels of mental health programming, including preventative measures to keep employees healthy, early intervention to navigate through challenges, and supportive policies to aid in effective transition back into the workplace.”
Shepell, Mental Health Commission of Canada (24), 2018
For more information on CMHA workplace training and conferences, please visit alberta.cmha.ca.