WSN receives funding to develop mental health resources
Workplace Safety North (WSN) has received a grant of $1.7 million from the Ontario government for the development and delivery of mental health training and resources for mining and forestry workers in northern Ontario.
Both industries were deemed essential services, and have been operating throughout the pandemic. Many worksite locations are remote work camps or in regions where access to medical care can be difficult.
“Based on the effects of the pandemic on mental health in the workplace and at home, workplace mental health has moved to the forefront of Ontario workplace safety,” says WSN president and CEO Paul Andre. “People are dealing with prolonged anxiety, depression, isolation, and need information and reinforcement on healthy ways to cope.”
In response to growing demand, WSN has assembled a team of four Psychological Health and Safety Advisors, accredited with the Canadian Mental Health Association, who are available to work with clients and help create psychologically safe and healthy workplaces.
Workplace mental health resources were in the top ten health and safety resources accessed on the WSN website, Andre added.
Funding for Workplace Safety North’s three-year project is being used to develop and deliver in-person and online training programs for mining and forestry operations, including an online portal where workers and employers can access mental health tools and resources, as well as free resources and awareness sessions for small businesses.
These services help reduce the stigma associated with mental health challenges so that workers can ask for the help and support they need. This is especially important in the mining and forestry sectors, where mental health and psychological concerns are starting to be addressed.
The program includes a research partnership with the Centre for Research for Occupational Safety and Health based out of Laurentian University in Sudbury, which will track statistical data to determine the effectiveness of the training and resources.
Workplace Safety North is one of four sector-based health and safety associations in Ontario. It supplies specialized occupational health and safety services such as health and safety certification programs and on-site audits to mining and forest product industries.
There are currently 23,900 full-time workers in the Ontario mining sector and 57,400 full-time workers in the Ontario forestry, paper, printing and converting sector.
Between 2014 and 2018, Workplace Safety North conducted risk assessments with the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development on logging and mining operations in Ontario. It showed that the top mental health risks recognized by employers, workers and workshop participants are stress, lack of focus, and workers under the influence of drugs or alcohol.