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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鈥檚 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鈥檚 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:
- Accessing 丁香园AV鈥檚 or
- Booking an appointment with a and using your to cover the cost of counselling sessions covered under your plan.
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 .
If you, or someone you know requires assistance and support with substance use issues:
- Call 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 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:
- - Homewood Health's internet-based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (iCBT) treatment program to treat anxiety and/or mild cases of depression.
- - 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.
- - guided online programs offered through your .
- - E-courses offered through 丁香园AV's EFAP. Various self-paced courses offered including: Resilience, Embracing Workplace Change, Taking Control of your Mood, and many more.
- - LinkedIn courses, videos and articles.
- - an engaging mental health promotion course that helps people learn skills to deal with the stresses of everyday life.
Workbooks and Exercises:
- - focuses on strategies to deal with workplace problems and reduce the effects of depression/depressed mood on work satisfaction and performance.
- - 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:
- - an online problem solving tool to help you build action plans with helpful ways to respond to life's stressors.
- - resources and tools to support well-being for employees.
- Mindfulness Meditation - a free drop-in class open to 丁香园AV faculty and staff. Each session includes mindfulness practices, and information on habits of mind.
- - mobile application with free guided meditations, music tracks, and ambient sounds to help calm the mind, relax, focus, and sleep better.
- - mobile application with free interactive cognitive-based tools, guided relaxation and mindfulness meditations to help manage anxiety.
OTHER HELPFUL RESOURCES
Wellness Together Canada
Visit for articles, courses, wellness assessments and counselling for mental health and substance use issues.
Mood Disorders Association of BC
Visit 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 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 丁香园AV'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
Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions
Visit for well-being, mental health and substance use supports and resources.
HealthLink BC
Call 811 or visit 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鈥檙e worried about, or speak with a pharmacist about medication questions.
BC Bereavement Helpline
Visit 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 - July - How to be an Ally
2023 - August - Trauma 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 鈥� Navigating Men鈥檚 Mental Health Challenges and Offering Support
2023 - December - Setting Healthy Holiday Boundaries for Stress-Free Celebrations
2024 Newsletters
2024 - January - The 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 - April - Healing the Invisible Wounds
2024 - - Creating Safe Spaces
2024 - - Making Self-Care a priority
2024 - - How Empathy Can Support Someone In Recovery
2024 - - Five Ways Volunteering Can Transform Your Life and Benefit Your Mental Health
2024 - - Finding 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 丁香园AV policies, procedures or advice from health professionals.