Communicating with kindness during a pandemic: Tips and tools for Defence Team Members

February 10, 2021 - Defence Stories

We all get frustrated, annoyed and irritated at times. These moments are more apparent today given the added stressors that come with navigating through a pandemic. However, it is important to find ways to express yourself, while remaining respectful towards others. Using abusive language is never an acceptable way for expressing or coping with anger. Everyone is going through their own unique challenges and under these circumstances, communicating with care is essential.

This month, join us for a virtual webinar on Communicate With Care When Feeling Angry, brought to you by Total Health Programs. Click on the above link for sign-up information.

Tips and resources to help Defence Team members communicate with kindness in the workplace and at home

The Strengthening the Forces health promotion program provides healthy relationships information which contains helpful tips on managing your role as a spouse, partner, parent and/or friend during these challenging times. For example:

• The Intimate Relationships Continuum provides information on relationships ranging from healthy to unhealthy; and
• Tips for Expressing Anger within a Relationship describes some steps you can take to control and express yourself appropriately when feeling angry.

The Canada Revenue Agency has provided guidance on effective interactive communication within the workplace. This resource discusses how you can express and receive information clearly, while communicating with others in a way that is effective and consistent with organizational objectives.

The Government of Canada’s Mental Health and COVID-19 for Public Servants provides information to balance family life including what to do if you are someone you know is experiencing family violence:

• if you or someone else is in immediate danger call 9-1-1
• consult the victim services in your area  or your Employee Assistance Program
• despite orders to stay at home, in a violent situation, leave your home as soon as possible and get help
• most collective agreements have provisions for leave for victims of spousal violence

Resources for Workplace Harassment and Conflict Resolution:

• Department of National Defence Harassment Prevention and Resolution policy
• Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) program
• Integrated Conflict and Complaint Management (ICCM) services
• Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat Directive on the Prevention and Resolution of Workplace Harassment and Violence

Total Health Programs at the Department of National Defence

The Department of National Defence (DND)’s Total Health Programs Directorate includes subject matter experts from Mental Health and Well-being (Accessible only on the National Defence network.), the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) (Accessible only on the National Defence network.) and the Office of Disability Management (Accessible only on the National Defence network.). They provide mental health and well-being support to Defence Team members by providing access to tools, resources, and services. The team’s goal is to sustain a safe, supportive and respectful work environment where employees can thrive.

Get in touch with us!

Reach out to the EAP Corporate Office, the Mental Health and Well-being Corporate Office, or the Office of Disability Management.

Subscribe to the EAP distribution list to stay informed on mental health and wellness topics that matter to you, special events, and much more.

All Defence Team members have access to:

• Health Canada - Employee Assistance Services (EAS) – provides short-term professional counselling services. This service is available 24/7, 365 days a year, by calling 1-800-268-7708 or 1-800-567-5803 (TTY).
• Canadian Forces Member Assistance Program (CFMAP) – Members of the CAF, veterans, and their families can access free, confidential counseling, 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 1-800-268-7708 or TDD 1-800-567-5803 (TTY).
• LifeSpeak – Web-based service that offers free confidential access to hundreds of short videos by experts on everyday issues.

CAF members and their families have access to:

• The Family Information Line (FIL) – FIL counsellors are available to handle calls in confidence 24 hours a day, seven days a week. To speak with a FIL counsellor, call 1-800-866-4546 (toll-free in North America) or 1-613-995-5234 (collect calls accepted).
• Military Family Resource Centres (MFRCs) – CAF members and their families have access to dedicated, frontline service providers, responsible for connecting military families to a wide range of programs and services.
• Military Medical Centres – Locate a centre anywhere in Canada.
• Crisis Texting Service for Kids of CAF Families – Children, youth and young adults from military families can access free mental health and wellbeing support by texting the keyword CAFKIDS at 686868 for service in English. For service in French, text the keyword JEUNESFAC at 686868.

DND Civilian employees have access to:

• EAP Peer Advisors (PAs) – DND civilian employees provide confidential active-listening skills and resources to employees in need. Call HR Connect at 1-833-747-6363 to be connected with a readily available colleague from 0800-1600 hours Mon to Friday. You will be contacted within 24 hours.
• The Office of Disability Management (Accessible only on the National Defence network.) was created to be an impartial, collaborative and inclusive group that supports employees and supervisors/managers dealing with disability-related matter due to illness, impairment and injury.
• The Mental Health and Well-being Corporate Office (Accessible only on the National Defence network.) supports the health and well-being of employees and provides access to tools, resources and services to assist organizations in building a safe, supportive and respectful work environment.