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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NOV. 26, 2020
WorkSafe Saskatchewan hosts virtual psychological
health and safety learning event
Regina, Sask., Nov. 26, 2020 – Mental health injuries continue to rise across the province and country. In response, WorkSafe Saskatchewan is hosting its third one-day psychological health and safety in the workplace learning event that was offered free to the public. Attendees include Saskatchewan employers, human resource professionals and mental health experts who are interested in psychological health and safety in the workplace.
As of Nov. 16, the WCB has accepted 206 mental health claims from Saskatchewan workers in 2020. While mental health claims only account for a small percentage of the workplace claims submitted in Saskatchewan, those numbers are on the rise. The number of mental health claims accepted by the WCB has increased by more than 213 per cent from 2015 to the end of 2019.
“We’re pleased to bring this event to participants once again, especially this year, as it has presented challenges to psychological health and safety in workplaces across the province,” said Kevin Mooney, vice-president of prevention and employer services at the Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB). “The response to this event and the increase of mental health WCB claims shows the need for these types of conversations and resources in workplaces throughout Saskatchewan.”
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and to maintain physical distancing, WorkSafe will be hosting this year’s event virtually. The virtual event allows individuals who have not been able to participate in-person in the past to attend. Last year’s event hosted nearly 350 participants and this year over 800 attendees have registered for the event.
The morning sessions include Mary Ann Baynton, principal of Mary Ann Baynton & Associates, presenting on Stress, work and a pandemic and Janice Decelles, senior consultant at MNP, on Supporting successful return to work following a psychological injury. In the afternoon, Dr. Graham Lowe, president of Graham Lowe Group Inc., will present Planning healthy change in uncertain times.
Dr. Joti Samra will finish the day with a presentation on Enhancing individual and organizational change: Actionable steps to cultivate psychologically healthy and safe work environments. Dr. Samra is one of Canada’s foremost psychological health and wellness experts and the chief executive officer and founder of MyWorkplaceHealth. WorkSafe has formed a partnership with Dr. Samra and MyWorkplaceHealth for a long-term psychological health and safety strategy for the province. Part of this strategy includes the development of an online Psychological Health and Safety Resource Centre, to be officially launched on the WorkSafe website, worksafesask.ca, in 2021 and of which participants of the psychological learning event will get a sneak peek.
“We hope this event, as well as the resources provided through WorkSafe, help employers gain a better understanding of workplace psychological health and safety,” said Mooney. “The information shared here today and the mental health initiatives launched by not only WorkSafe, but by many of the workplaces attending today’s event, are key to tackling the rising number of mental health issues in workplaces.”
About WorkSafe Saskatchewan
WorkSafe Saskatchewan is an injury prevention and workplace safety partnership between the WCB and the Ministry of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety. Through the partnership, both agencies offer programs and support that help employers and workers develop workplace safety and health programs. You can reach WorkSafe Saskatchewan at 1.800.667.7590. Follow us on Twitter: @worksafesask, YouTube: youtube.com/worksafesask or on Facebook: facebook.com/WorkSafeSK for real-time updates.
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For more information, please contact:
Jenna Boychuk
Saskatchewan Workers' Compensation Board
Phone: 306.787.1859
Email: jboychuk@wcbsask.com
Download the news release.
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