MHCC also introducing 3-year case study project
A new workplace mental health certificate training program that teaches leadership skills in managing performance and promoting a mentally healthy workplace is being introduced by Morneau Shepell and Bell, in collaboration with Queen's University in Kingston, Ont.
The Mental Health@Work Training Program is certified by Queen's Faculty of Health Sciences with input from Heather Stuart, an expert on mental health disorders and stigma. It is the first university-certified workplace mental health training to be aligned with the new National Standard for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace, introduced one year ago by the Canadian Standards Association (CSA Group) and the Bureau normalisation du Québec (BNQ) in collaboration with the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC).
Grounded in adult learning principles, the three-phased training program takes a blended approach that consists of in-class and online learning and a knowledge assessment process, with participants receiving a certificate from Queen's upon successful completion of the training and exams.
To date, more than 4,000 Bell team leaders from across Canada have completed the original Morneau Shepell Mental Health@Work Training Program that covers mental health from both a health and business perspective, and introduces effective management practices in this area. The new expanded program builds on this previous training with three modules.
“(The program) enables the in-depth development of leadership skills in managing the prevention of mental health issues and associated disability claims for any organization, as well as facilitating early intervention and the return to work for those impacted. The training also educates leaders on the scope of their role and influence in promoting a mentally healthy workplace and is an inspiration to other organizations to follow suit,” said Alan Torrie, President and CEO of Morneau Shepell.
MHCC launches 3-year project MHCC, along with CSA and BNQ, is also planning to partner with more than 25 Canadian employers on a three-year research project aimed at driving uptake of the National Standard for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace. The project will track workplaces as they adopt the standard over the next three years, “creating a solid knowledge base to inform national expansion of the standard,” it said.
