Workers Health & Safety Centre

New study to look at effectiveness of Canada’s Workplace Mental Health Standard

Worker struggles with a workplace mental health issue
The Mental Health Commission of Canada (the MHCC) is partnering with 25 companies over the next three years to assess the impact of adopting Canada’s workplace mental health standard. 

“On any given week, roughly half a million Canadians will miss work due to a mental health problem or illness,” said Louise Bradley, President and CEO of the MHCC. “As a result, mental health problems have become more than a serious public health issue – it’s also a major economic issue facing Canadian business.”
 
The standard was commissioned by the federally-funded MHCC and developed by the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) and the Bureau de normalization du Québec (BNQ). Entitled Psychological health and safety in the workplace—Prevention, promotion, and guidance to staged implementation (CAN/CSA-Z1003-13); it was introduced January 16, 2013. It offers a process and tools the authors say will help create and sustain psychologically healthy and safe workplaces.
 
“This new research project is a chance to drive momentum for workplace mental health across Canada,” says Bradley. “Our belief is that mentally healthy workplaces will help the individual person, but there’s also a strong economic argument for taking this on.”
 
For our part, the Workers Health & Safety Centre offers a range of training programs and information services raising awareness about work-related stress/mental injuries and targeting prevention at the workplace level.
 
Want additional information about Canada’s workplace mental health standard and this research initiative?
 
Want additional information about the standard and related training and information services from the WHSC?
 
WHSC ebulletin on the workplace mental health standard
WHSC training catalogue 
Work Stress hazard bulletin 
Workplace Violence hazard bulletin
 
Want to learn more?  Contact WHSC and ask to speak with a Training Services Representative.
Call:   1-888-869-7950
Visit:   www.whsc.on.ca
Email: contactus@whsc.on.ca