Mental health in the workplace: our commitments

The Government of Canada is committed to creating a healthy, respectful and supportive federal workplace.

If you are in distress, please contact your nearest distress centre. If it is an emergency, call 9-1-1 or go to your local emergency department.

Centre of expertise on mental health in the workplace

The Centre of Expertise, a collaboration initiative between departmental officials and bargaining agents, is designed to support federal organizations in developing and implementing measures as outlined in the Federal Public Service Workplace Mental Health Strategy. The Centre of Expertise will also:

Provide guidance to federal public service organizations on how to align with the National Standard of Canada for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace, including:
- Developing a guide, designed for the public service, outlining steps to take to implement the National Standard
- Creating a repository of best practices based on initiatives from within and outside the public service to support workplace mental health
- Provide mental health training recommendations
Establish partnerships and networks, and encourage knowledge sharing by communities of practice such as:
- Federal Workplace Wellbeing Network
- Human Resources Council
- National Managers Community
- Service-Wide Committee on Occupational Health and Safety
Provide immediate expert support and guidance to those developing plans to address mental health within their departments.

Background

In 2015, the Government of Canada and the Public Service Alliance of Canada established a Joint Task Force to address mental health in the workplace. Together, they identified key areas of focus with the overarching need for the federal public service to create a culture that enshrines psychological health, safety and well-being in all aspects of the workplace through collaboration, inclusivity and respect.

One of the recommendations stemming from the Technical Committee Report was the creation of a single, enterprise-wide, Centre of Expertise on mental health in the workplace. The Government of Canada established the Centre of Expertise on Mental Health in the Workplace in 2017. Current co-chairs are Sean Ross and Denis St-Jean.

Federal public service workplace mental health strategy

The Federal Public Service Workplace Mental Health Strategy is an important tool to help the Government’s efforts to build a healthy, respectful and supportive work environment. It draws heavily on the work of the Joint Task Force and is designed to support public service organizational efforts to develop and implement mental health action plans.

Government’s commitment

Watch the Government pledge to place mental health and wellness as a key priority. The Clerk is committed to creating a healthy, respectful and supportive workplace.

Public servants’ commitment

Leaders and colleagues across the Government are showing their support for the mental health initiative by taking a pledge to commit to building a healthy, respectful and supportive work environment. Among employees, deputy ministers have signed the pledge.

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