Psychological Support Toolkit for Workers and Employers: COVID-19

Psychological health & wellness is increasingly being recognized as a key priority in the workplace. The COVID-19 pandemic has not only exacerbated concerns around employees’ physical wellbeing, it has also significantly impacted their psychological wellbeing. Personal health and finance concerns, job security concerns, and reduced social interactions are creating anxieties in the workplace like never before. A lack of understanding of the issues at hand, and the resources available, often makes it difficult for employers to address these concerns before they cause lasting damage.

go2HR is pleased to support a FREE Psychological Support Toolkit for Workers and Employers: COVID-19, delivered by the BC Municipal Safety Association (BCMSA) in partnership with workplace mental health expert Diana Vissers, Work to Wellness.

Program Framework

The Psychological Support Toolkit will include a 5 Part – Virtual Summit bringing together industry experts and creating an intimate dialogue on their recommendations in light of COVID-19. In addition this comprehensive resource will provide information packs, checklists, access to free quality resources recordings of the 5 part – virtual summit and access to an online discussion forum where participants can network, exchange ideas and ask questions with both peers and industry experts.

5 Part – Virtual Summit: Each 60 – 90 minute video will be individually valuable however participation in the series is recommended to build skills in the needed areas. Participants will learn how to address the presented problems, apply simple tools, and access additional resources and education. Workers and employers will develop skills to better manage the stressors of COVID-19.

Access to an online discussion forum where you can offer support, encouragement, and share your experiences with managing your stress and anxiety related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

5 Part Virtual Summit

PART 1: Identifying psychological impacts and needs due to COVID-19

Diana Vissers will host this introductory session where she will examine the workplace impacts of COVID-19 and introduce tools to detect and recognize mental health concerns. Participants will apply the mental health continuum to COVID-19 scenarios and learn about self-assessment and screening tools. This session will introduce the topics for the remaining sessions.

When: September 10, 2020
Time: 10:00 am – 11:00 am

PART 2: Skills for communicating effectively with people experiencing psychological distress

Phil Eastwood is an expert in diffusing distressed people and will co-facilitate this session. Diana Vissers and Phil will discuss common work scenarios and Phil will offer tips, suggestions, and tools to effectively respond.

When: September 17, 2020
Time: 10:00 am – 11:00 am

PART 3: Exploring substance use and impacts during COVID-19

Recent research shows that we are using up to 40% more alcohol, opioid deaths are the highest ever in BC, and people are reporting more concerns about their substance use. Mike Mathers, an addictions counsellor, will co-host this session and show you why understanding substance use on a continuum, rather than as an all or nothing approach can help prevent those serious work impacts and remove obstacles to getting early support. He will share his insights, some neuroscience tidbits, and his unique perspective, and some practical tips and tools.

When: October 1, 2020
Time: 10:00 am – 11:00 am

PART 4: Support for managers and leaders: how to respond to your team’s psychological needs during COVID-19

Psychologist and Director of Mental Health Solutions at Sun Life Financial, Carmen Bellows, will co-host this session where you will learn the key elements to manage others who are experiencing mental health impacts. You will learn how to recognize distress, and the parameters of your workplace role. Specific examples will be reviewed and various tools will be shared.

When: October 15, 2020
Time: 10:00 am – 11:00 am

PART 5: Industry leaders Panel

In this session, Diana Vissers will host a panel of industry leaders who will provide their lens on COVID-19 and the effects on mental health and wellness in the workplace. The panel will include representatives from the municipal, construction, forestry, trucking, hospitality, arts and entertainment and agriculture sectors.

When: October 29, 2020
Time: 10:00 am – 11:00 am

Sample Toolkit Resources

Use the following resources in conjunction with the 5 – Part Expert Webinar Series to better equip you or your co-workers to mitigate the psychological impacts of COVID-19. This tool kit will evolve throughout the training so please ensure you refer back to stay up to date with the best resources.

Discussion Forum

To engage further with your peers and share valuable knowledge and insight on this subject we have created a discussion group. We recommend joining after viewing one or more of the expert driven webinars.

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