Manager training

With the release of Canada's voluntary National Standard of Canada for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace in 2013, employers are being strongly encouraged to make greater efforts to identify, assess and mitigate risks that may impact an employee's psychological health and wellbeing.

Managers play a critical role in many aspects of the health and safety of employees, yet according to an Ipsos Reid 2012 survey, only one in three managers have the training to intervene with employees who are showing signs of mental illness.

The following training tools and programs may help managers, supervisors and other leaders recognize and manage mental health related issues in the workplace.

Manulife’s free tools and videos

• Workplace Psychological Health Gap Assessment Tool - This questionnaire is designed as a first step to help you prioritize areas of focus and complements the voluntary National Standard. It may help you assess your organization’s psychological health and safety risks.

• What’s on your mind?^® series with Dr. Ungar, Associate Professor at the University of Toronto and Chief of Psychiatry at North York General Hospital.

  • Start educating to help reduce stigma

    
    

  • Finding the right fit (accommodations in the workplace)

    
    

  • Detecting mental health issues in the workplace

    
    

  • Having ‘the talk’ with an employee who may be suffering from mental health issues

    
    
• What’s on your mind?^® Resources for your employees

  • Caring for your mental health

    
    

  • Talking to your doctor about your mental health

    
    

• The ABC’s of psychological safety in the workplace - Many employers looking for ways to decrease the incidence of mental illness and associated costs to their workplaces are embracing the concept of psychological safety. This guide will help you understand the ABC’s of psychological safety in the workplace.

• Manulife’s Workplace Solutions for Mental Health – Manager Training (available for Manulife clients only)

Additional tools and resources

• Free monthly webinars on workplace mental health promotion - The Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC) hosts workplace webinars about various mental health topics on the last Wednesday of every month at noon Eastern Time.
• Mental Health First Aid (Mental Health Commission of Canada) – This program aims to help improve mental health literacy, and provide the skills and knowledge to help people better manage potential or developing mental health problems in themselves, a family member, a friend or a colleague.
• Mental Health Works training for employers – Accommodation Guide, presentations, workshops and web-based or cd-rom training.
• CARMHA – The Centre for Applied Research in Mental Health & Addiction offers online tools and resources for the workplace, the employee and teens.
• Psychological Health and Safety: An Action Guide for Employers - This guide from the Mental Health Commission of Canada includes steps for planning and implementing workplace interventions that protect psychological health and safety. It may help you build the case for why a psychological health strategy is needed in your workplace.