Mental Health Ambassadors Community of Practice Building Capacity Powering Technology for the Government of Canada
Content • Background • Role of Ambassadors • Demographics • Federal Public Service Workplace Mental Health Strategy • Performance Objectives for Supervisors and Managers • Community of Practice • As a manager… • As an Ambassador • Next steps 2
Background • On May 5, 2017, a Communiqué was issued by SSC’s Workplace Wellness and Mental Health Champion (Champion) • Leaders at all levels were invited to become ambassadors for wellness and mental health in their teams, branches, and regions • There are currently sixty-eight (68) Mental Health Ambassadors (Ambassadors) on the distribution list • The Ambassadors are supported by the Mental Health Programs and Strategies (Programs) and the Champion 3
Role of Ambassadors Support management and help build a healthy, respectful and supportive workplace by: • Being the point of contact for mental health in their branch/directorate • Building greater awareness • Reducing stigma by increasing knowledge • Promoting existing wellbeing and mental health resources • Coordinating/planning mental health related activities and initiatives in the workplace • Supporting management in coordinating mental health related activities and initiatives in the workplace • Coordinating /delivering various awareness/training events • Taking an active role in the Programs’ initiatives and campaigns 4
Demographics BY OCCUPATIONAL GROUP BY REGION 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 ATL NCR ONT QC W&N BY BRANCH 20 18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 5
Federal Public Service Workplace Mental Health Strategy To m o mee eet i its ob obli ligatio ions under t the Programs & s & Men ental H Hea ealth A Amba bassa sadors s Strateg egy, S SSC i is e expec pected ed to: Requ equirem ements: s: • The Programs need more active • Demonstrate visible and sustained and accountable resources across leadership commitment, engage the department to: senior management, managers and • Support management employees, and promote healthy workplace activities • Promote resources • Build greater awareness • Consider psychological health and • Reduce stigma safety in every aspect of work within the federal public service. Employees • Coordinate activities/initiatives must feel free and able to raise • Ambassadors need: concerns and seek help when they • Clear understanding of what is need to, in an environment that is expected of them free from stigma • Guidance and structure • Provide the right training, tools and • Support, tools and training other resources for staff and managers to promote mental health, enhance resiliency, prevent harm, and address incidents and concerns 6
Mental Health Ambassadors Community of Practice • A structured application process • Representation at all levels across branches, directorates and regions • Commitment Agreement clearly indicating the requirements of the Ambassadors and the support they will receive • Accountability of the Ambassadors through management consent and set performance and learning objectives • Requirement to report the activities of the Mental Health Ambassadors Community of Practice to the Programs for input into an annual report to the President • Support, tools and training provided by the Programs 7
As a manager… What can I I do? What will I ill I gain in? • Become an Ambassador • Support and resources to build healthy, respectful and supportive workplace • Encourage your employees to • Lower absenteeism/presenteeism become Ambassadors • Lower attrition • Support your Ambassadors by: • Increased engagement and morale • Allowing them to dedicate the • Higher productivity required time to the Community • Promoting their role throughout • Achievement of mental health related performance objectives (See Annex) your organization • Making use of their services within your team What will m ill my y em emplo loyees g gain in? • Participating with your team in their activities • A work environment where they feel • Taking initiatives of your own more comfortable and safe to with their help discuss mental health, and mental • Recognizing their contribution health issues 8
As an Ambassador… What will I ill I gain in? What will I ill I giv ive? • An average of four (4) hours per month • Development of leadership and to the Mental Health Ambassadors communication skills Community of Practice • Certification in Mental Health First Aid • Support to management (MHFA) • Access to mental health resources • Various learning opportunities on • Various learning events mental health related topics • Mental health related activities, • Opportunity to deliver training initiatives and campaigns in the • Access to support, tools and resources workplace 9
Next steps • Launch selection process in August 2018 • Promote the Mental Health Ambassadors Community of Practice with management at all levels to obtain support and engagement • Proceed with procurement for tools and resources • Develop calendar for events and training • Schedule and plan first meeting of Mental Health Ambassadors Community of Practice in Fall 2018 10
Questions or concerns? Ma Mari rie-Eve C e Cantin Seni nior A Advi viso sor, M Men ental Hea ealth P Programs s and S nd Strateg egies es 613.218. 218.2464 2464 mari rie-eve.cantin@can anad ada. a.ca 11
Annex – 2018-2019 Common Commitments 1.3 I will engage the SSC Mental Health Program to present to my management team/ employees to improve awareness of the issues, resources, and tools available to support workplace mental health and wellbeing. 1.5 I will undertake 1-2 of the following initiatives to demonstrate my support of a healthy and respectful workplace. Examples include: a) I will volunteer to champion activities that promote a healthy, respectful workplace. b) I will initiate and support the engagement / selection of speakers / presentations to address the topic of stress in the workplace and how it can be alleviated. c) I will support / implement activities to encourage team building (e.g. Picnics, pot lucks, sports, group puzzles). d) I will lead my team in the discussion related to team values and respect and civility in the workplace. e) I will take action on any issues of harassment and discrimination that are identified in my workplace. f) I will champion the development of a team charter. 12
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