New CMHA toolkit supports employees, employers with planning psychologically-safe return to the workplace

September 2, 2020

(Toronto, Aug. 20, 2020) As Ontario’s economy gradually re-opens during the COVID-19 pand employees in navigating the mental health implications of returning to physical workplaces.

Developed by Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), Ontario Division, in partnership with Mental Health Works and procedures for supporting staff returning to the work environment.

For employees, anxiety about returning to the previous ways of working and guides readers through coping strategies.

Just as employees may be struggling with thoughts about returning to the workplace, employers are having to consider several elements that need to be addressed as part of return-to-work planning. This may range from creating physical safety and leave their offices, to the impact on productivity. This toolkit takes the employer perspective into consideration with guidelines that may help them take their employees’ mental health into consideration as they plan for a safe return to the workplace.

“The pand help employees come back to the workplace with a positive mindset.”

Return to the workplace: A psychological toolkit for heading back to work is also available in French.

Fast facts:

According to research released by CMHA Ontario in May, 59 per cent on Ontarians are finding it hard to be productive while in self-isolation, despite trying to make a daily routine.
CMHA Ontario’s research indicated those who are employed are more likely to say they have a routine and at least somewhat follow it (51 per cent).
A recent study by Deloitte found that for every $1 spent on mental health promotion or initiatives in the workplace, participating organizations saw a $1.63 return on investment.

About Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario

Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), Ontario is a not-for-profit, charitable organization. We work to improve the lives of all Ontarians through leadership, collaboration and continual pursuit of excellence in community-based mental health and addictions services. Our vision is a society that embraces and invests in the mental health of all people. We are a trusted advisor to government, contributing to health systems development through policy formulation and recommendations that promote positive mental health. Our 28 local CMHA branches, together with community-based mental health and addictions service providers across the province, serve approximately 500,000 Ontarians each year.

About Ontario Federation of Agriculture

The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) is the largest general farm organization in Ontario, representing 38,000 farm families across the province. As a dynamic farmer-led organization based in Guelph, the OFA works to represent and champion the interests of Ontario farmers through government relations, farm policy recommendations, research, lobby efforts, community representation, media relations and more. OFA is the leading advocate for Ontario’s farmers and is Ontario’s voice of the farmer. For more information, visit ofa.on.ca.

About the University of Guelph

One of Canada’s top comprehensive and research-intensive universities, the University of Guelph spans urban hubs and rural communities. Established in 1964, the University enjoys a reputation for innovation and excellence dating back more than 150 years to its founding colleges: Ontario Veterinary College, Ontario Agricultural College and Macdonald Institute. Today U of G’s seven colleges conduct leading-edge teaching and research in the physical and life sciences, business, arts, social sciences, and agricultural and veterinary sciences. We have nearly 30,000 undergraduate and graduate students at campuses in Guelph, Toronto and Ridgetown and 185,000 alumni in more than 160 countries worldwide. The University of Guelph, and everyone who studies here, explores here, teaches here and works here, is committed to a simple, shared purpose: to Improve Life.