B.C. launches online mental health hub for hard-hit sectors

Offers range of tools to address common workplace concerns such as bullying, stress, COVID exposure

B.C. launches online mental health hub for hard-hit sectors
British Columbia is investing $3 million to provide mental health supports to workers and employers in sectors critically hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.

British Columbia is investing $3 million to provide mental health supports to workers and employers in sectors critically hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The government is allocating $2 million from its $1.5-billion economic recovery plan to support this program for the tourism and hospitality sectors. The Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction also contributed an additional $1 million to expand the scope to include the community social services sector.

Under the program, the province has launched a digital hub equipped with mental health resources for workers and employers. It offers a range of tools to help address common workplace concerns, such as bullying, harassment, COVID-19 exposure, and coping with stress.

The website – www.workmentalhealthbc.ca – provides workshops, webinars and information to help employees manage stress and build resiliency. It also provides steps for workers to improve their overall mental health, and navigation support to connect to other mental health services, including counselling and peer support.

Even though 60 per cent of Canadians are having mental health issues, more than half (54 per cent) have not sought medical support, according to a report from Sun Life.

In May, the hub will expand to include a made-in-B.C. training and coaching platform that will guide managers and leaders in the same sectors to make “meaningful and lasting” change at work, says the government. Participants will gain knowledge and practical tools, apply learning and strengthen peer connections to help make improvements that support the long-term well-being of employees.

“The new hub will augment existing mental health supports the government deployed early on in the pandemic for workers in the long-term care and continuing-care sector, including the Care for Caregivers site and Care to Speak peer support service,” says the B.C. government. “Both services received major uptake from health-care workers throughout the province. The hub builds on this success and provides more workplace sectors with the mental health supports they need.”

The government is developing the new hub in partnership with the B.C. division of the Canadian Mental Health Association and health and safety associations, such as go2HR.

Canadians’ mental health will suffer for years to come due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a report from Deloitte released in August 2020.

But some companies are stepping up to the challenge: 18 per cent of Canadian employers have raised the maximums for their psychological service benefits since the pandemic began, according to a survey by the Conference Board of Canada released in February.

Latest stories