Mental health and wellness resources
Mental health issues in the workplace are among the top concerns for organizations of all sizes.
According to the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC), one in five Canadians experience a mental health problem or illness each year. In B.C., WorkSafeBC reports that mental disorder claims are becoming the fastest growing type of claim at the agency: in 2018, the number of these claims from the general construction industry was up 20 per cent compared to 2016.
Prioritizing the mental health of employees benefits both the individual and the organization. Mentally healthy workplaces can improve recruitment and retention efforts, enhance productivity and increase the bottom line.
Mental health and COVID-19
- Managing the mental health effects of COVID-19 in the workplace: A guide for employers (WorkSafeBC)
- Addressing the mental health effects of COVID-19 in the workplace: A guide for workers (WorkSafeBC)
- Psychological Support Toolkit for Workers and Employers: COVID-19 this comprehensive resource provides information packs, checklists, access to free quality resources recordings of the 5 part – virtual summit and access to an online discussion forum where participants can network, exchange ideas and ask questions with both peers and industry experts.
- Mental health support for construction workers – COVID-19 (BC Construction Safety Alliance)
- Wellness Together Canada: Mental Health and Substance Use Support
- Sleep Guidelines During the COVID-19 Pandemic (Source: sleepfoundation.org)
- COVID-19 Psychological First Aid Service: Information and Signup (British Columbia Psychological Association) – Free virtual counselling provided by registered psychologists.
- COVID-19: Staying Well In Uncertain Times (Canadian Mental Health Association – B.C.) – Tips and information on how to reduce and manage anxiety in the workplace due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
- Managing COVID-19 Stress, Anxiety and Depression (Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions) – Tips and resources on things we can do as individuals and collectively to deal with stress and support one another during these challenging times.
- Mental Health and Psychosocial Considerations During COVID-19 Outbreak (World Health Organization) – These mental health considerations were developed by the WHO’s Department of Mental Health and Substance Use as messages targeting different groups to support for mental and psychosocial well-being during COVID-19 outbreak.
- Mental Health and COVID-10 (Conference Board of Canada) – Videos on different aspects of mental health, including coping with anxiety, job loss, and dealing with isolation.
- Taking Care of Your Mental Health (COVID-19) (Public Health Agency of Canada) – Tips and resources for taking care of your mental health during the COVID-19 outbreak.
VRCA’s Benefit Plan
VRCA’s Employee Benefit Plans are powered by the BCCA Employee Benefit Trust. To learn more about VRCA’s Employee Benefit Plans, please click here.
BC Construction Safety Alliance
BCCSA is a non-profit organization serving B.C.’s construction sector by promoting and developing workplace health and safety in compliance with WorkSafeBC’s regulations and guidelines. BCCSA’s mental health page offers links to mental health resources, courses and information about Bill 14 (changing WorkSafeBC coverage for mental disorders caused by work). Among the resources are:
Canadian Mental Health Association
The Canadian Mental Health Association is a community mental health organization in Canada with branches in every province, including British Columbia. CHMA’s BC Division offers information and services related to and including:
- Improving mental health
- Mental illness
- Alcohol and other drugs
- Wellness programs
- Mental health in the workplace
- NEW: National standard for psychological health and safety in the workplace.
- Coping with mental health crises and emergencies
CMHA’s Not Myself Today helps companies build mentally healthy workplaces.
Construction Industry Rehabilitation Plan
The Construction Industry Rehabilitation Plan is a non-profit, joint B.C. Building Trades and Construction Labour Relations Association sponsored alcohol and drug treatment program, providing mental health and addiction services to the B.C. and Yukon organized construction industry.
Overdose prevention and response in B.C.
The B.C. government has developed several online resources in response to the opioid crisis:
- StopOverdoseBC.ca
- Overdose prevention sites and supervised consumption and drug checking services
- Reducing the stigma of substance use
- Where can I get a Naloxone kit?
- Lifeguard Application is a smartphone app that assists emergency responders in the event of an overdose.
- COVID-19: Mental health and substance use
- Overdose prevention and COVID-19
Anxiety Canada
Anxiety Canada is a leader in developing free online, self-help, and evidence-based resources on anxiety.
BounceBack
BounceBack is a free skill-building program designed to help adults and youth 15+ manage low mood, mild to moderate depression, anxiety, stress or worry.
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Are you in crisis or an emergency?
If you are in an emergency, or feel that you or someone else is at risk of harm, please contact someone immediately:
- Call 911 for help right away.Speak to your doctor, or go to your nearest hospital emergency room, walk-in clinic or community health centre. If your community has a mental health car, you can call 911 to request it.
- Call 1-800-SUICIDE(1-800-784-2433). If you are thinking about ending your life or are concerned about someone who may be, you can call for help any time of day or night, from anywhere across B.C. It’s a free call.
Need someone to talk to right away?
If you are worried, confused or just need someone to talk to, there is help available:
- Mental Health Support Line: Call 310-6789 (do not add 604, 778 or 250 before the number). This number will connect you to your local BC crisis line without a wait or busy signal, 24 hours a day. Crisis line workers are trained to help provide emotional support as well as mental health information and resources.
- BC Bereavement Helpline: Call 604-738-9950 (Greater Vancouver) or email [email protected]