In Canada, one in five people is living with a mental health problem or illness. Those employed in the services sector are more likely to experience mental health issues.
In October 2016, the Saskatchewan Government passed an amendment to the Workers’ Compensation Act, 2013 establishing a rebuttable presumption for those experiencing work-related psychological injuries. This has shone a light on the employer’s duties and responsibilities about workplace mental health. Employers have a responsibility to not only handle psychological injury claims effectively but also to incorporate mental health into the existing Safety Management System.
Service Hospitality has assembled a working group with a mission to work together to implement best practices and positive change for mental health, safety, and claims management. Meeting three to four times annually alternating between Saskatoon and Regina, we collectively discuss practices and policies and offer training and resources to help members promote employees’ psychological health and prevent psychological harm due to workplace factors.
On June 25, 2019, we had the pleasure of bringing over 100 of our Mental Health Best Practice Group (MHBPG) members together in one room at the Travelodge Hotel in Regina to hear Dr. Bill Howatt from The Conference Board of Canada speak about Operationalizing Workplace Mental Health – A Strategy to Action.
Dr. Bill Howatt touched on many topics such as the difference between mental health and mental wellness, resiliency, information on coaching for managers and what they can do to promote resiliency in their workplaces and the PHS Management System. The session was very engaging, interactive and jam packed with valuable resources that any employer could take back and benefit from.
Are you interested in joining our MHBPG? If so, please contact us at [email protected]
Why join the group?
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Share best practices with private, public, government, and non-profit organizations from across Saskatchewan.
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Learn more about when psychological injuries can be considered a Workers’ Compensation Board claim & how to manage them.
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In Canada, mental illness costs $20.7 billion per year in lost productivity alone. When health care costs are added in, that number jumps to $48.6 billion per year.
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Like with physical safety, prevention is the best way to protect your employees and save money.
Why this matters to our industries?
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Accommodation and food services, government services, and information and culture industries have the highest prevalence of mental illness.
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Rates of depression are highest in industries that have the most interaction with the public or with clients.
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The accommodation and food services industry is one of the top three industries for generalized anxiety disorder and has the second-highest prevalence of mood disorders.
Service Hospitality facilitates and funds these meetings and you can be a part of it! Attend information sessions and receive emails with valuable resources. There are currently over 100 employer organizations participating in this group, and growing!
Mental Health Best Practice Group Members:
Airlines Hotels
Athabasca Catering Ltd
Better Business Bureau
Bridges Health
Canalta Food Services Ltd.
Canalta Martensville
Canadian Mental Health Association of Canada
City of North Battleford
Cosmopolitan Industries
Creative Options Regina
D3H Hotels
Dakota Dunes Casino, SIGA
Delta Hotel Regina
Double Tree by Hilton
Eagle’s Nest Youth Ranch Inc.
Energy Safety Canada
Gold Eagle Lodge
Government of Saskatchewan
Holy Family RCSSD #140
Hospice St. Marie Bernard Inc
K-Bro Linen Systems
Labour Relations and Mediation, Government of Saskatchewan
McKercher LLP Barristers & Solicitors
Moose Jaw Diversified Services
Mosaic Potash Regina
P. Machibroda Engineering Ltd.
Parkland College
Plains HR Services
Radisson Hotel Saskatoon
Ranch Ehrlo Society
Regina Airport Authority Inc
SARC
SaskAbilities
Saskatchewan Alternative Initiatives
Saskatchewan Construction Safety Association
Saskatchewan Hotel & Hospitality Association
Saskatchewan Polytechnic
Saskatchewan Union of Nurses
Saskatchewan WCB (Prevention)
Saskatoon Open Door Society
Sheraton Cavalier Saskatoon Hotel
Special Olympics Saskatchewan
Temple Hotels Inc.
The Lighthouse Supported Living
Turning Leaf
Unifirst Canada (Regina)
University of Regina
University of Saskatchewan
Yail Harbor Inc.
YMCA of Regina
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