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Workplace Mental Health: Standards and Secrets

28th January 2021

With vaccines being slowly distributed across the world, and some light at the end of the tunnel, there’s some hope that the Pandemic may be winding down.

Photo by Anna Shvets from Pexels

In saying that, it’s been over a year since it first was detected in countries around the world, and about a year since it showed up in Canada.  It’s been a long and challenging year for many Canadians.

Formal Workplace Health Support

It’s no secret that mental health was a topic of concern prior to the pandemic for many of those Canadians.

Bell’s let’s talk is one of the most recognized campaigns around mental health issues, and mental illnesses, and we know these challenges have an impact on lives, and workplaces.

It’s also no secret that the mental health of Canadians has been further challenged by the pandemic.

Many Canadians are feeling the strain of limited social contact, lockdown requirements, the fear and anxiety related to illness and death related to the virus.

There is also the impacts on businesses and schools that influence families and individuals day to day routines, and financial stability.

Workplaces have been encouraged to put COVID-19 measures in place, but how many have considered putting mental health measures in place to protect workers from the stress, strain, and anxiety of the pandemic?

 

Psychological Safety Standards

Here’s a couple of not quite secret secrets, there’s two standards aimed at helping manage psychological safety at work:

  • Those of you familiar with the ISO family of standards, you’ll recognize the environmental, quality, and safety standards, the ISO14001, 9001 and the new-ish 45001.
  • Well, there’s a newcomer that will be joining the family
  • ISO/FDIS 45003 – Occupational health and safety management — Psychological health and safety at work : managing psychosocial risks — Guidelines will be launched February/March 2021
  • Many of you hopefully know that in Canada we’ve had a similar standard for a while now
  • CAN/CSA-Z1003-13/BNQ 9700-803/2013 – Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace
  • You can learn more here and you can also download the standard and implementation guide as well.  For Free!

More Resources

So for workplaces whether your employers, employees, volunteers, or contract based, have a look through the standard.  In the meantime here’s some resources for those of us starting to feel the weight of the pandemic from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH)

 


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