Nearly all working adults experience mental health issues that affect their ability to remain productive and focused on the job. Managing the associated costs and risks is an important focus for every organization, but what about the human impact of mental health challenges in the workplace?
The Workplace Mental Health Leadership ™ certificate program is developed by LifeWorks in partnership with Bell Canada and the Anti-Stigma Research Chair and Faculty of Health Sciences at Queen’s University.
First launched in 2014, the program is updated every two years. An extensive revision and update in alignment with current theory and best practices was undertaken with relaunch in Spring 2022.
This certificate program focuses on fostering leadership practices and competencies that support the development of a mentally healthy workplace. It equips leaders to effectively respond to and manage mental health challenges in the workplace. The practical framework and leadership skills introduced in the program align with evidence-based and industry best practices, including the National Standard for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace.
This program builds leadership skills for each stage of the Workplace Mental Health Framework. Watch this video that introduces the framework:
Over the course of three modules, participants will explore the ever-expanding business case for mental health in the workplace. This includes an improved understanding of relevant legal, ethical and business concerns. This certification program also supports the development of empathetic and solution-focused leadership skills, which can be transferred to a variety of professional settings and situations.
Based on the National Standard for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace, Module 1 introduces the Workplace Mental Health Framework and explores foundational leadership practices and areas that support prevention and promote mental health at work. See some sample eLearning lessons by clicking HERE.
Components: eLearning (1 hour) + exam (20 min)
Module 2 explores factors that impact mental health and the role of the leader in managing mental health in the workplace, with a focus on early intervention. Participants learn and practice two coaching models for supporting team members who may be struggling with mental health challenges.
Components: Classroom (3.5 hours ILT) + eLearning (1 hour review) + exam (20 min)
Module 3 explores the role of the leader to support individual team members and the whole team during the remaining stages of the Workplace Mental Health Framework. Practices to support recovery at work, including accommodations, as well as during an absence or return to work process provide additional opportunities to employ the coaching models introduced in Module 2 and prepare leaders to take action in their own workplace.
Components: Classroom (3.5 hours ILT) + eLearning (1 hour review) + exam (20 min)
This certificate program is available privately for an organization as well as publicly for individuals to attend. For private sessions, our facilitators come to your organization and deliver the program to groups of up to 25 people leaders. In public sessions, individuals from various organizations attend a similarly small-group session.
The program is designed for people leaders and consists of two half-day instructor-led workshops (delivered in person or virtually), three e-learning modules, and three online exams. There are two formats that your organization can choose from when delivering this program:
Module 1 eLearning followed by two half-day instructor-led sessions followed by Modules 2 & 3 eLearning review programs and exams
Module 1 eLearning + one full-day instructor-led session + Module 2 & 3 eLearning review programs and exams
Over the course of three modules, participants will explore: