Create Your Own Mental Health Resource List
Most employers aren't aware of all the resources that are available to help manage employees' mental health issues. The following is a guide to help you develop a mental health resource list that you can provide to employees in time of need.
Create your own action plan
Mental Health Resources List [PDF]
- Internal resources - include details of your company's Employment Assistance Programs (EAPs), benefits or other resources.
- Mental health services - many provinces now have a central toll-free number that lists provincially regulated mental health services. Add this to your resource list and then look for other credible mental health resource information that may not be provincially funded.
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Addiction support - while addiction can be a mental illness, the services to help people with addiction are not always the same as those for people with depression or anxiety-related disorders. If there are resources close to your community that address both, this may be a good place to start. Also look for rehabilitation program options and see our section on addiction.
Some examples include:
- Professional support - sometimes it's difficult to locate the right professional support. Prepare a list of people or organizations in your area that specialize in treating mental illnesses such as depression or anxiety. These are the most common mental illnesses in the workplace and not all psychologists, social workers or doctors specialize in these areas.
Some examples include:
- Crisis response - When the crisis involves someone who is experiencing mental health issues, you may wish to call a mental health crisis response team instead of law enforcement. Find out in advance who offers this service in your community, the hours they are available, the area they serve, and when it is appropriate to call them. If you do not know who to call, start with the emergency department of the local hospital. They often know who provides the mental health crisis response team services. Also see our section on crisis response.
Where there is an immediate danger, call 911 or the emergency response number in your area. It's best if you identify the resources available in your community.
- Crisis Response Teams - For example, see the Integrated Mobile Crisis Response Team (Emergency Mental Health) on Vancouver Island website:
www.viha.ca/mhas/locations/victoria_gulf/imcrt.htm
- Psychiatric emergency services - in addition to crisis response, know which hospitals offer psychiatric emergency services. Not all do. For example, see St. Michael's Hospital Psychiatric Emergency Services Website:
www.stmichaelshospital.com/programs/mentalhealth/emergency.php
- Crisis lines - add in phone numbers for distress lines that your employees can call in a time of need. Be clear about the purpose of the various lines (e.g. suicide, violence, harassment, etc.). For access to a variety of Crisis support in Canada, go here:
www.suicideinfo.ca/csp/go.aspx?tabid=77
- Community resources - not everyone will require crisis response or hospitalization. Find out who offers support services such as group therapy, information about mental illnesses, and support for family members.
Some examples include:
- Workplace Interventions and Training - equip managers with training and tools to help them respond immediately and appropriately. This includes how to effectively manage performance and productivity issues.
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