The Ontario Centres for Learning, Research and Innovation in Long-Term Care (Ontario CLRI) at the Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging (RIA) invites leaders in long-term care to take their workplace mental health strategy to the next level.

TORONTO – Open to any provincially recognized long-term care (LTC) home or LTC management organization in Ontario, the Workplace Mental Health in LTC program initiative provides free training and coaching support for LTC organizations to adopt the National Standard of Canada for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace.

Participating LTC homes learn how to build an organizational culture that promotes and protects the mental health of all team members, and improves workforce productivity, recruitment and retention. The program enables participants to:

• Learn about workplace mental health
• Understand the benefits of adopting the National Standard
• Assess organizational strengths and opportunities for improvement
• Engage team members to identify solutions
• Develop an action plan that meets identified needs while reflecting current resources and realities, and
• Create an evaluation framework to measure your progress.

The goal of the program is to foster a happier, healthier, more resilient LTC workforce who will ultimately be more capable of providing quality care for residents.

Feedback on the pilot program in 2021-22 was exceedingly positive. In a follow-up survey, 100% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that what they learned will help them in their role, and 100% would recommend the program to other leaders in long-term care.

Application deadline: September 9, 2022

Learn more and express interest by visiting the Ontario CLRI website.

From Fall 2021 to Spring 2022, PSHSA proudly supported Ontario CLRI as a partner in the program. This included the delivery of the following activities for up to 17 LTC organizations:   

• Group coaching support (co-led by RIA) 
• Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC) training workshops 
• R2 for Leaders: Building Resilient Organizations training workshops  
• Access to one-on-one consulting for LTC leaders 
• Cognitive Demands Descriptions (CDD) for four positions in LTC, including:  
  • Personal Support Worker (PSW)  
  • Recreation 
  • Dietary Aide 
  • Assistant Director of Care/Director of Care 

Information collected from the CDDs will be adapted for broad application and shared with RIA for dissemination and use within the program.

“The initiative's collaboration opportunities and joint learnings collectively enhance our workplace injury prevention toolboxes and quality of care,” said PSHSA Director, Stakeholder and Government Relations, Sherri Bastos. “We encourage all LTC Homes to review and access this valued and timely opportunity!”

PSHSA and RIA continue in synergetic alliance toward the shared objective of promoting mental health and preventing psychological injuries in workplaces across Ontario’s LTC sector.  

About PSHSA

Public Services Health & Safety Association (PSHSA) is funded by the Ontario Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development and works with employers and workers within Ontario’s public and broader public sector, providing training, consulting and resources to reduce workplace risks and prevent occupational injuries and illnesses. www.pshsa.ca