BestLifeRewarded® Innovations, Excellence Canada and the Economic Club of Canada Launch Enhanced Version of the Mental Health at Work® Challenge

TORONTO, July 10, 2017 /CNW/ - BestLifeRewarded® Innovations (formerly Cookson James Loyalty), Excellence Canada and Economic Club of Canada, among other partners, launched an exciting, organizational support program called the Mental Health at Work® Challenge 3 years ago. The aim of the program is to create a FREE, easy-to-follow, one-stop-shop tool providing organizations with the essentials to begin to implement the National Standard for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace (the "National Standard").

The Mental Health at Work® Challenge is a fun and engaging program that provides a step-by-step approach for administrators to implement the essentials of creating a psychological healthy and safe environment along with resources for employees to become more aware and educated about mental health stigma in the workplace, as well action tools to be more psychologically healthy.

"What sets the program apart is that reward points are given to every employee as the administrator confirms that a milestone toward creating a healthy environment is achieved," said Susanne Cookson, co-founder BestLifeRewarded® Innovations. "In addition, each employee can add to their reward points balance by using the employee-specific tools and resources. Prizes are drawn monthly which creates a lot of excitement among participating organizations."

"…the Mental Health at Work Challenge has given us a way to shine a light on Mental Health in the Workplace in a way that no previous approach has enabled. Having a head office on Ottawa and smaller site offices from coast to coast often creates a challenge in terms of having a common approach that reaches out to and resonates well with everyone.  Evidence suggests that the enthusiasm with which people have embraced the Challenge extends to both our regional offices and head office alike."

– Canadian Forces Housing Agency 

"We are experiencing a dramatic increase in the number of employers adopting a strategic approach to fostering mental health at work and preventing injuries," said Allan Ebedes, President and CEO of Excellence Canada. "While the predominant motive is doing the right thing for their staff, the growing competition to be an employer of choice makes a strong business case for taking action and being celebrated for it."

Over 80 companies in private, non-profit and government sectors have been actively participating in the program over the past three years. Based on member feedback, the partners made several enhancements to the program, such as new 30-day challenges that launch every three (3) months, the addition of a new Excellence Canada Guidebook, offered free of charge to program participants as an easier-to-navigate administrative portal, and more automated communications to employees.

We encourage all Canadian companies and organizations to join the FREE Mental Health at Work® Challenge and together we will de-stigmatize mental illness in the workplace. Start today at www.BestLifeRewarded.com/MHW

About Mental Illness in Canada

More than $51-billion is the annual cost, from health care to lost productivity. A recent global workplace survey conducted by Ipsos Mori, including employees and employers in Canada, highlights the stark reality of mental illness in the Canadian workplace. Of the workers specifically reporting a depression diagnosis, 40% state they did not tell their employer about their problem, which is above the global average of 33% and is the highest rate recorded in the global survey next to the United States (58%).One quarter (24%) of employees diagnosed with depression could not continue to work during their last episode of depression, with an average of more than two months off work (49 lost working days) in that episode. Of note, the global average was 32 lost working days. There is a significant economic and compassionate need to address mental health issues in the workplace.

About BestLifeRewarded® Innovations
Incorporated in 2010, BestLifeRewarded Innovations (formerly Cookson James Loyalty) created its flagship platform BestLifeRewarded®, a comprehensive program that encourages members to take personal ownership for their health. Their mission in evidence-informed innovation includes all stakeholders in a "coordinated assault" to change the overall face of health in Canada.

The BestLifeRewarded® platform is a plug and play web-based solution with simple "off line" program integration. By adding the BestLifeRewarded® program to a health management strategy, partners can expect greater organizational health awareness, better member engagement, more robust measurement and insight into the impact of your health and wellness investments.  

The BestLifeRewarded® Innovations managed software solution allows insurance carriers, employers, clinics, health authorities, pharmacies and hospitals to measure the impact of the overall program, identify areas of improvement and can uncover areas that require additional attention and focus. Through a reporting dashboard, partners will have access to the ongoing performance and positive health shifts that occur with their members as they engage in the program. For more information visit www.bestliferewarded.com

About Excellence Canada
Excellence Canada is a national authority on organizational quality, and the author of the Excellence, Innovation and Wellness® Standard, the Healthy Workplace® Standard, and the Mental Health at Work® Framework. Excellence Canada provides independent verification and certification of excellence to organizations of all sizes and in all sectors. It is also the custodian and adjudicator of the Canada Awards for Excellence program, established in 1984, of which the Patron is His Excellency, the Right Honourable David Johnston, C.C., C.M.M., C.O.M., C.D., Governor General of Canada. For more information visit: www.excellence.ca

About the Economic Club of Canada: Since 2003, the Economic Club of Canada has earned a prestigious reputation as this country's podium of record. Uniquely positioned as the only national non-partisan organization capable of staging events across the country, our mission is to bring our members and guests face-to-face with the most influential leaders of our time. Each year more than 100 policy makers and business leaders approach the Economic Club of Canada to make keynote addresses allowing the opportunity for guests to pose questions, direct and unfiltered. Membership is open to all who share a passion for great issues of the day. For more information, or to become a member visit: www.economicclub.ca.

SOURCE BestLifeRewarded Innovations Inc.

about this release, contact: Susanne Cookson, Co-Founder, BestLifeRewarded® Innovations, [email protected], [phone] x103, [phone]