More than 230 leaders, managers, employers and employees from a wide range of sectors came together Monday to discuss emerging best practices and practical skills to build resiliency in the workplace for Day 1 of Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario Division’s 2019 workplace conference.
Hosted by Mental Health Works – a national social enterprise led by CMHA Ontario – Roadmaps to Resiliency: Investing in Mental Wellness for Ontario’s Workplaces is happening at the Marriott Downtown at CF Toronto Eaton Centre through Tuesday. The event is focused on resiliency and how to build it and manage it in the workplace.
The conference kicked off with remarks from Ontario Minister of Labour Laurie Scott before the event’s first keynote address, which featured trauma psychologist Dr. Jonathan Douglas who discussed preventing sanctuary trauma and building resiliency through compassionate care.
Douglas’ morning keynote was followed by employer and employee panels. The employer panel had leaders from mental health care, policing, financial services and public service who discussed the evolution of workplace mental health supports and management’s role in further advancing psychological health and safety. The employee panel had representation from first responders, military, health care, journalism and unions, and discussed unique perspectives and experience promoting, receiving and advancing mental health in the workplace.
The afternoon featured breakout sessions on peer support, case management and return to work, tools to support workplace mental health, mental health prevention, and resiliency.
Before peer support breakout groups wrapped up the day, Globe and Mail contributor and The Conference Board of Canada’s chief of research, workforce productivity Dr. Bill Howatt gave Day 1’s closing keynote address, in which he outlined the relationship between stress, mental health, resiliency and workforce productivity.
CMHA Ontario’s 2019 workplace conference continues Tuesday with remarks from provincial Minister of Seniors and Accessibility Raymond Cho, keynote addresses from lived experience experts The Brainstorm Revolution Troupe and AGS Rehab Solutions president Addie Greco-Sanchez, and much more discussion on improving workplace mental health.