Publications

Duty to accommodate and Workers’ Compensation

Under Canadian law and specifically duty to accommodate law, employers have to make every reasonable effort to accommodate workers with disabilities, including mental illness in the workplace. The member you are assisting may need accommodations in the workplace, so they can continue to do their job. Some people need permanent accommodations, but many people with mental health challenges will only…

If a member needs to take time off work…

Working when you are dealing with mental health challenges can be very difficult. It may also lead to other problems at work. If a member is feeling depressed and overwhelmed, for example, they may find themselves not responding at their usual speed, or falling farther behind in their work. Or they may simply be unable to face their regular tasks.…

Finding community resources

There are many groups that offer counselling and support. Family doctors can be a great source of information. Here are some other suggestions for where to look for help: Provincial & territorial health webpages provide links to mental health services – see these links in the Resource section of this website  211 service or http://www.ementalhealth.ca is available in some provinces…

How to have a conversation

It is very important to not sound negative or judgmental. You want to approach the member with openness and genuine caring, to find out how they are doing, and if you can help. Don’t make assumptions about how they are feeling or what they will find helpful.  Here are 5 steps (adapted from CUPE & the Canadian Mental Health Association)…

SFL/CLC Spring School – course descriptions

Getting started – becoming a union activist Learn about union structures, rules of order and bylaws in a friendly, fun environment. Gain an understanding of how important labour issues can be advanced from the grassroots level all the way to the bargaining table. In this course you will learn practical skills for becoming a union activist, including public speaking, effective…

Mental Health Resource Centre

Index General Mental Health Information Community Training The National Standard on Psychological Health & Safety in the Workplace Mental Injury Toolkit Accommodations for Workers with Mental Health Issues Provincial, Territorial and Community Mental Health Links Substance Use and Addictions Violence in the workplace Affiliate Union Resources Video Resources   General Mental Health Information Canadian Mental Health Association: Myths about mental…

Provincially and territorially funded psychotherapy

For the most part, the services of psychologists, social workers, and psychotherapists are not covered by Medicare. Provincial and territorial health plans pay for some mental health professionals. These include psychiatrists and the services of therapists in a hospital setting (for example, a social worker at an outpatient clinic). People who want to access therapy generally without paying have to…

Culturally appropriate services that respect social identity

Racialized people, women, members of 2SLGBTQI communities, Indigenous people, people with disabilities, both younger and older people, immigrants, and refugees are at increased risk of mental health challenges, and may face systemic barriers in accessing services and treatment. Even when treatment and services are available, they are not always culturally appropriate. Staff may not understand different cultural values or different…

Collective care and self-care

Supporting members can be hard and exhausting work. If you want to be there for them, you have to take care of yourself. The union also needs to be responsible for the collective care of stewards or officers supporting members with mental illness. Practices and supports need to be in place to make sure everyone can do their work as…

Work-related PTSD

There is a growing recognition that workplaces can be a direct cause of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It is generally harder to prove that a mental illness is a workplace injury because there are so many factors involved. For example, a high-stress environment may contribute to an episode of mental illness, but it’s not easy to demonstrate the connection. The…