Workplace Safety & Prevention Services (WSPS), in partnership with The Conference Board of Canada developed a Mental Harm Prevention Roadmap. The Roadmap is aligned to the three tenets of the National Standard of Canada for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace: to prevent mental harm, to promote mental health, and to resolve incidences or conflicts in the workplace. This primer is the first of three publications on the Roadmap’s journey.

The Roadmap was created as a user-friendly interface, based on the National Standard for organizations. The focus is on using building blocks to advance psychological health and safety in the workplace. The Roadmap facilitates the creation of mental health strategies appropriate for the needs of Canadian organizations. As well, it helps guide intentional action by employers to reduce mental harm and promote mental health in alignment with the recommendations of the National Standard. The Roadmap is the first step in a three-year research project. Years two and three research will collect data on how employers use the Roadmap to support desired psychological health and safety goals.

Highlights

Introduction

Building the “Roadmap” to psychological health and safety

Research inputs

Building blocks for promoting mental health in the workplace

Building Block 1: Foundation

Building Block 2: Support

Building Block 3: Planning

Building Block 4: Leadership

Building Block 5: Culture

Building Block 6: Connections

Building Block 7: Prevention

Building Block 8: Excellence

Conclusion

Appendix A—Methodology

Appendix B—Description of research sample and workplace mental health programs

Appendix C—MFI score, program impact, and key outcomes

Appendix D—Bibliography