Frequently Asked Questions

PREVENTION

1. Where can we start in addressing workplace mental health issues?
   You can start by reviewing 20 Questions for Leaders About Workplace Psychological Health and Safety or apply the practical, user-friendly tools to help assess and improve psychological safety in your workplace found at Guarding Minds @ Work™.
   
   
2. What information might be helpful for managers to know?
   Managers may want to begin with Managing Mental Health Matters. On the homepage you can find a link to tools and strategies for a variety of job roles including Supervisors, Senior Leaders and Human Resource Professionals.
   
   
3. Where can I send employees if they have questions and I don't know what to tell them?
   A good starting point is Working Through It™ which is a video-based resource intended for employees struggling with mental health issues off work, at work and returning to work. Mental Health Resources provides access to knowledge and tools related to coping at work. The Mental Health Organizations section has links and information to help increase awareness and understanding about mental illness.
   
   
4. Do certain occupations have specific or unique mental health issues?
   Occupation-specific mental health issues looks at the stressors and factors that may impact the mental health of employees in certain sectors. There are also Featured Resources by Job Roles available on the homepage.
   
   
5. What are some of the legal issues to consider in dealing with workplace mental health issues?
   A good starting place is to look at the section Legal Framework in Canada and follow the links to specific legislation.
   
   
6. What approaches might help me better manage an employee with a mental health issue?
   A good place to start would be Managing Mental Health Matters, a video-based resource to help employers learn how to effectively recognize and manage mental health-related issues in the workplace. Other information can be found in the Supervisors section.
   
   
7. How can I encourage senior management's buy-in to address psychological health and safety?
   Check out Commitment and Leadership within the Psychological Health and Safety Management System section for ideas on how to present the benefits and advantages to senior managment.
   
   
8. How can we help prevent unhealthy coping strategies in our workplace?
   Sometimes when we're working under pressure, such as tight deadlines or heavy workloads, we may cope in unhealthy ways, including substance abuse or aggression. Prevention & Crisis Response looks at ways to help identify and prevent unhealthy coping strategies in the workplace.
   
   

PROMOTION

9. How do I deal with cynical or negative employees when trying to improve psychological health and safety?
   If your organization has had problems in the past, it may be that your employees have a hard time believing that involvement in this process will result in a significant or lasting improvement. On the Agenda is a tool to help you engage your team in identifying and implementing solutions to include workplace mental health.
   
   The Facilitator's Guide - Overview [PDF] includes information about dealing with such things as negativity and cynicism.
   
   

INTERVENTION

10. What are some strategies and approaches that can be used to help an employee returning to work be successful?
    The Intervention & Accommodation section provides a range of strategies and approaches for return to work and accommodation of employees, especially where mental health may be a factor.
    
    
11. I have an employee returning to work after "stress leave". I know the co-workers are not looking forward to the return. What can I do?
    The following sections provide some possible options for you to consider:
    
    See Return to Work – Co-Worker Reactions. Also Managing Mental Health Matters is an on-line training program that deals specifically with co-worker conflict and return to work.
    
    
12. My co-worker seems to be struggling but denies anything is wrong. What can I do?
    Like all health problems, it is not the responsibility of co-workers to deal with these issues. However, if you are someone who wants to reach out or support another, know that each situation comes with unique elements. The article Helping troubled co-workers [PDF] offers some possible options for you to consider.
    
    
13. How can we measure the mental health of our employees?
    Just like other illnesses the diagnosis is private to the employee, but just like your organization may screen for diabetes, high blood pressure or other illnesses, there are programs that can include confidential screening for a range of mental health issues. Check with the Canadian Mental Health Association, your benefit provider or your Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
    
    In addition, there are screening tools, available in the Mental Health Organizations section that your employees can use to assess their own mental health and take the results to their healthcare provider.
    
    
14. As a union representative, how can I encourage management to address psychological health and safety?
    The Union's Role in Workplace Mental Health section provides possible strategies for unions and management to work together to help address and prevent mental health issues in the workplace.
    
    Union representatives can also refer to the section Prevention & Promotion for additional tools and resources to help in the development of action plans.
    
    
15. As a manager, how can I work more collaboratively with the union representative to help accommodate employees?
    The following sections provide information on some approaches that may help with accommodation: For Employers in Unionized Workplaces looks at how the union representative can play an important and supportive role in assisting workers with mental health issues. This can contribute to a more effective return to work or accommodation process.
    
    Employers can also refer to the sections Return to Work and Accommodations that Work for strategies to help support employees with mental health issues.
    
    

If these FAQs and/or the Search function on this site do not provide you with the information you are looking for, please write to info@gwlcentreformentalhealth.com with your specific request and we will try to help.