CUPE 387 is pleased the City of New Westminster is showing its dedication to the health and wellness of its employees with its new mental health training and awareness program.

The Working Mind is offered in a partnership between the City, CUPE Local 387 and IBEW Local 213 and will begin in January 2019.

The program is designed to promote mental health literacy in the workplace, dispel the myths of mental health problems and reduce associated stigma by providing an overview of mental health as a continuum. For managers and supervisors, the program will also include learning about:

• observing changes in employees along the continuum;
• communicating with employees experiencing illness in a proactive, supportive manner; and
• taking appropriate actions, including workplace accommodations and return to work.

Phase I of The Working Mind will begin in January 2019 with the training of Supervisors and Managers. In February 2019, Phase II training will begin for all full-time regular, part-time regular and auxiliary employees and will continue into the following year. The Working Mind sessions will be delivered by internal facilitators from the NW Police Department’s Mental Health Unit who are certified with the Mental Health Commission of Canada.

The implementation of the program follows over two years of discussions between the Union and the City about the importance of mental health awareness in the workplace (see post Mental Health in the Workplace from March 10, 2018). The Union continues its endeavors to make the workplace safe both physically and psychologically.