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Mental Health Information and Resources

At some point in our lives, mental illness may impact us through our own personal experience or through a family member, friend or colleague. Health Canada has estimated that 20 percent of the population will experience a mental illness, which can affect people in all occupations, socio-economic status, cultures, race and at all education levels.

The workplace environment may contribute positively to mental well-being.  However, at times, the workplace may also contribute to mental illness either as a direct source of stress, depression and anxiety, or by exacerbating issues that exist in other parts of one’s life.

If not well managed, workplace-related mental health issues can lead to increased rates or levels of illness, and may result in absenteeism, tension and conflicts between colleagues, deteriorating employee performance and reduced morale.

 

UNDERSTANDING MENTAL HEALTH 

Awareness, understanding and knowledge of mental health issues may help you move towards achieving health and a sense of emotional well-being. Listed below is information provided by Manulife’s mental health specialists and Homewood Health regarding symptoms and treatments for different mental health conditions.

 

GETTING SUPPORT FOR MENTAL HEALTH  

For professional assistance to help you and your family members, you can use your benefits to access counselling in two ways by:

If you notice your colleague or staff member is in distress and may need support:

  • Refer to this guide to familiarize yourself with common signs of distress and some ways you can offer support.
  • For strategies to help you have a supportive conversation with a colleague or someone you care about on difficult topics like mental health, stress, addiction, or anger, visit the Supportive Conversation Library.

If you, or someone you know requires assistance and support with substance use issues:

  • Call B.C. Alcohol and Drug Info and Referral Service at 1-800-663-1441 or 604-660-9382 to determine the appropriate substance use services right for you or the individual of concern. Multilingual telephone assistance is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 
  • Visit BC.211 for supports and resources in your area including counselling, detoxification, and treatment. 

 

CONNECTING WITH TOOLS AND RESOURCES

Online courses for depression, anxiety, stress or worry:  

 
  • Sentio - Homewood Health's internet-based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (iCBT) treatment program to treat anxiety and/or mild cases of depression.
  • Bounceback - a skill building program designed to help with low mood, mild to moderate depression, anxiety, stress or worry. Delivered online or via telephone with a coach.
  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) programs - guided online programs offered through your extended health benefits.
  • Homeweb - E-courses offered through SFU's EFAP.  Various self-paced courses offered including: Resilience, Embracing Workplace Change, Taking Control of your Mood, and many more.
  • Well-being and Resilience - LinkedIn courses, videos and articles.
  • Living Life to the Full - an engaging mental health promotion course that helps people learn skills to deal with the stresses of everyday life.

Workbooks and Exercises:

 
  • Antidepressant Skills @ Work -  focuses on strategies to deal with workplace problems and reduce the effects of depression/depressed mood on work satisfaction and performance.
  • Plan for Resilience - exercises for leaders and employees to recognize stressors, and identifying personal strengths and coping strategies to deal with these stressors.

ToolS FOR managiNG Stress, LOW mood And Anxiety:

 
  • Stress Strategies - an online problem solving tool to help you build action plans with helpful ways to respond to life's stressors. 
  • Workplace Strategies for Mental Health - resources and tools to support well-being for employees.
  • Mindfulness Meditation - a free drop-in class open to SFU faculty and staff. Each session includes mindfulness practices, and information on habits of mind.
  • Insight Timer - mobile application with free guided meditations, music tracks, and ambient sounds to help calm the mind, relax, focus, and sleep better.
  • MindShift CBT - mobile application with free interactive cognitive-based tools, guided relaxation and mindfulness meditations to help manage anxiety.

OTHER HELPFUL RESOURCES    

Wellness Together Canada

Visit wellnesstogether.ca/en-CA for articles, courses, wellness assessments and counselling for mental health and substance use issues.

Mood Disorders Association of BC   

Visit www.mdabc.net or call 604-873-0103 (in the Lower Mainland) or 1-855-282-7979 (in the rest of BC) for resources and information on mood disorders and support groups in your area.

Canadian Mental Health Association, BC Division

Visit www.cmha.bc.ca or call 1-800-555-8222 (toll-free in BC) or 604-688-3234 (in Greater Vancouver) for information and community resources on mental health or any mental illness. 

Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP)

Visit SFU's EFAP site to access confidential, professional assistance through counselling, coaching and e-courses to help you or your family members resolve problems that affect your personal and work lives.

BC Partners for Mental Health and Addictions Information 

Visit www.heretohelp.bc.ca for info sheets, guides, toolkits and self-tests for mental health or substance use issues.
 

Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions

Visit wellbeing.gov.bc.ca for well-being, mental health and substance use supports and resources. 

HealthLink BC

Call 811 or visit www.healthlinkbc.ca to access free, non-emergency health information for anyone in your family, including mental health information. Through 811, you can also speak with a registered nurse about symptoms you’re worried about, or speak with a pharmacist about medication questions.

BC Bereavement Helpline   

Visit www.bcbh.ca or call toll free at 1-877-779-2223 for confidential service that connects you to grief  and loss support services within BC.

Life Lines Monthly Newsletter - Created and provided by Homewood Health

2023 Newsletters

2023 - JulyHow to be an Ally

2023 - AugustTrauma Informed Collaboration

2023 - September - Back to School can Bring big Changes and big Worries: What to Watch for to Help Reduce Stress and Anxiety

2023 - October - Compassion Fatigue

2023 - November - Breaking the Silence – Navigating Men’s Mental Health Challenges and Offering Support

2023 - December - Setting Healthy Holiday Boundaries for Stress-Free Celebrations

2024 Newsletters

2024 - JanuaryThe Psychology of Debt

2024 - February - A Look at the Interconnections Between Stress, Diabetes, Nutrition, and Mental Health

2024 - March - Navigating Panic Disorder: Understanding, Coping and Supporting

2024 - AprilHealing the Invisible Wounds

2024 - June - Creating Safe Spaces

2024 - July - Making Self-Care a priority  

2024 - August - How Empathy Can Support Someone In Recovery

2024 - September - Five Ways Volunteering Can Transform Your Life and Benefit Your Mental Health

2024 - OctoberFinding Work-Life Balance in a Post-Pandemic World

 

 

Health and Well-Being Disclaimer

The well-being information on this website is provided as information only and should not serve as a substitute for the consultation, diagnosis, or treatment from qualified physicians, mental health care providers, or other health care providers. Suggested links and resources are intended to educate, but not to replace SFU policies, procedures or advice from health professionals.