The statistics are concerning. One in three Canadians will experience a mental health injury at some point during their life. Mental health injuries account for 30 per cent of disability claims, 70 per cent of the costs of those claims, and over $50 billion a year in lost productivity to the Canadian economy. 

That’s why St. John Ambulance considers it everyone’s business to care about mental health and why it’s offering Mental Health & Wellness for the Workplace, a one-day, peer-to-peer, instructor-led online course. 

Says Shawn McLaren, Chief Learning Officer, St. John Ambulance Canada: “This is part of St. John Ambulance’s mission to improve the health, safety and quality of life of Canadians at work, home and play. As incidences of COVID-19 continue to be diagnosed across the country, we knew it would be essential to provide this course as a virtual, instructor-led offering.”

Developed in conjunction with the TEMA Foundation, the course covers an array of topics and activities, such as: Reducing stigma around mental health injuries in the workplace; providing participants with skills, comfort and knowledge to better identify someone in distress and feel empowered to offer aid; having difficult conversations with coworkers about mental health; and building healthy workplaces to help prevent mental health injuries. Instructors are qualified to handle the sensitive, triggering issues that can emerge when discussing serious mental health issues.

“As co-workers we are often in a position to recognize when someone is struggling,” says Roberta Hewitt, Director of Marketing and Community Relations for St. John Ambulance, Newfoundland and Labrador. “The earlier an injury is detected and treated, the better the outcome.” 

Revenue generated from first aid training courses supports SJA volunteers who provide thousands of hours of service in Atlantic Canadian communities every year. •

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Get in touch for more information, or to book your seat for, Mental Health & Wellness for the Workplace: www.sja.ca