WCB Information Session #3 on Gradual Onset Psychological Injury with Dr. Bill Howatt

Summary:

• Focuses on psychological health and safety in the workplace, emphasizing that mental well-being is a key component of overall occupational health.
• Highlights the National Standard for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace as a voluntary framework to help organizations identify, assess, and manage psychosocial risks.
• Explains the 13 psychosocial factors (such as workload, civility, work-life balance, and engagement) that influence employee mental health and organizational culture.
• Encourages employers and safety committees to proactively address stressors, promote supportive leadership, and build a psychologically safe environment through awareness, communication, and preventive action.
• Underscores the shared responsibility of workers, supervisors, and organizations in fostering respect, reducing stigma, and supporting early intervention for psychological health issues.

Intended Audience:

• Employers, supervisors, HR professionals, and safety committee members interested in strengthening workplace mental health programs and aligning with the National Standard for Psychological Health and Safety.

Who it's for:

• Employers, supervisors, HR professionals, and safety committee members

What you'll learn:

• Why psychological health and safety in the workplace is a key component of overall occupational health
• A voluntary framework to help organizations identify, assess, and manage psychosocial risks
• 13 psychosocial factors that influence employee mental health and organizational culture
• The value of proactively addressing stressors, promoting supportive leadership, and building a psychologically safe environment
• The shared responsibility to foster respect, reduce stigma, and support early intervention for psychological health issues