New initiatives launched to improve workplace mental health across Canada

Three-year project will encourage national expansion of Workplace Standard

The Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC), along with its partners, CSA Group (CSA) and Bureau de normalisation du Québec (BNQ), joined Labour Minister Dr. K. Kellie Leitch alongside business and labour leaders today to announce new initiatives to improve workplace mental health across Canada. Following the successful launch one year ago of the world's-first National Standard for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace, the MHCC has announced plans to partner with more than 25 Canadian employers on a three-year research project aimed at driving uptake of the Standard across Canada.

"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 Mental Health Commission of Canada (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 is aimed at preventing mental injury, reducing absenteeism, and supporting a healthier, more competitive workforce."

"Mental illness costs the Canadian economy $51 billion a year," said The Honourable Dr. K. Kellie Leitch, Minister of Labour and Minister of Status of Women. "That is why our Government is committed to promoting mentally healthy workplaces. We are proud to join with the MHCC and its partners to promote increased uptake across Canada of the National Standard for Psychological Health and Safety in the workplace."

The new case study research project will track workplaces across Canada as they adopt the Standard over the next three years, creating a solid knowledge base to inform national expansion of the Standard. In one short year, the response to the Standard has been positive, garnering government support and endorsement from some of Canada's most prominent business leaders.

"Bell has embraced the Standard as part of our commitment to best practices in workplace mental health, a key pillar of the Bell Let's Talk initiative," said George Cope, President and CEO of Bell Canada and BCE. "We look forward to participating in the research project, sharing our own experiences and results with workplace mental health to help other companies understand the value of implementing the Standard within their own organizations."

In addition, tools such as the Standard are a helpful way to support working people through changes in the employment landscape.

"The reality of a changing economy and the workplace instability it creates faces all of us," said Ken Georgetti, President of the Canadian Labour Congress. "There is no question that in these uncertain times, workplace mental health is severely tested, and often affected."

A global first for psychological health and safety, the voluntary Standard offers a framework of tools for employers to promote mental health and prevent psychological harm. The Standard was released on January 16, 2013 by the MHCC, the Bureau de normalisation du Québec (BNQ), and CSA Group. Since then, it has been downloaded more than 16,000 times.

"The positive response we have received from businesses, stakeholders and individuals regarding the role this Standard is playing in improving workplace mental health is overwhelming," said Bonnie Rose, President, Standards, CSA Group.

"The mental health of employees is as vital as their physical safety on the job and this Standard, combined with other occupational health and safety standards, is a testament to the commitment of participating organizations and stakeholders to play a leading role in helping to make Canada a leader in workplace health and safety issues."