The Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health acknowledges a successful year of Workplace Mental Health

OTTAWA, Jan. 16, 2014 /CNW/ - Today, the Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health (CAMIMH) joins the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC) to recognize the one year anniversary of the release of the National Standard for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace in Canada.

CAMIMH congratulates all parties involved in creating the Standard and strongly encourages Canadian employers to adopt its principles to improve workplace mental health in Canada.

"The response from the public, media and employers to the Standard has been really positive," said Dave Gallson, CAMIMH Co-Chair.  "CAMIMH is proud to promote workplace mental health in our awareness campaigns and congratulates employers who have adopted the Standard."

Development of the voluntary Standard was supported by funding from the Government of Canada, the Great-West Life Centre for Mental Health in the Workplace, and Bell.

CAMIMH has long advocated that, as one of Canada's largest employers, the federal government would set a progressive example by creating mentally healthy workplaces in the public service. This involves adopting mental health promotion practices such as those set out in the Standard, as well as making psychological services and supports available to employees with mental health problems. On October 8, 2013, CAMIMH members met in a roundtable discussion with the Honourable Tony Clement, President of the Treasury Board of Canada, and offered its collective guidance and expertise to government on how to move forward to better support employees experiencing mental illness.

"It is very promising to see that employers such as the federal government are beginning to recognize the effect mental illness has on employees," stated John Higenbottam, CAMIMH Co-Chair. "Continued discussion, analysis and ultimately, the implementation of mental health standards in the workplace, are crucial."

To learn more about the National Standard for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace in Canada, visit: www.mentalhealthcommission.ca.

Established in 1998, the Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health (CAMIMH) is an alliance of mental health organizations comprised of health care providers and organizations representing persons with mental illness and their families and caregivers. CAMIMH's mandate is to ensure that mental health is placed on the national agenda so that persons with a lived experience of mental illness and their families receive appropriate access to care and support.

SOURCE: Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health

To learn more about CAMIMH, visit camimh.ca or contact:

CAMIMH Co-Chairs:

Dave Gallson
Associate National Executive Director
Mood Disorders Canada
[phone]
[email protected]

John Higenbottam
[email protected]