Moving to Action
Implementing Workplace Safety & Prevention Services' Mental Harm Prevention Roadmap
9
Building Block
2: Support
Support—Define and validate which supports
are currently in place for employees and the
minimal level of supports recommended. This
includes employee and family assistance programs
(EFAP), paramedical services, additional
psychological services coverage, and critical
incident stress debriefing.
Why is this building block
important?
Many employers have some core supports in
place (e.g., respectful workplace policies,
occupational health and safety (OHS) committees,
employee and family assistance programs). But
not all employers may be aware of the full range
of supports they could offer to employees.
What is required for an effective
employee support program?
Employees must first know which programs exist
and how they can access them. Employees must
also realize why these programs are beneficial.
10
For most provinces, legislation mandates the
need for workplace harassment and violence
policies, adherence to human rights legislation,
accommodation for mental health and addiction,
and establishment of OHS committees.
Organization size, budget, resources,
employee needs, and values all influence
core support programs.
10 Canada Life, "Workplace Strategies for Mental Health"; CSA Group and Mental Health Commission of Canada,
Assembling the Pieces.
Examples of basic core
support programs
• Local community resources (e.g., Canadian
Mental Health Association [CMHA])
• Helplines (e.g., Crisis Services Canada)
• Return-to-work policy and programs (e.g.,
Employer Line)
• Accommodations for disability
• Human rights
• Emergency plans and incident reporting
and investigation
• Resources from public health units
Examples of enhanced
support programs
• Employee and family assistance programs
(EFAP)
• Critical incident stress debriefing
• Internet-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
(iCBT)
• Employee benefit options (i.e., paramedical)
• Psychological safe leader training
• Training programs (i.e., Mental Health First Aid
Canada and The Working Mind)