Supporting employee mental health Linking substance use to a mental health strategy Leanne Dixon, Senior Manager, HR & Health, Emera Inc. Lyne Brun, Supervisor, Health & Wellness, Certified Peer Support Specialist, Emera Inc. February 22, 2017, 12:00 p.m. 1:00 pm ET #workplacemh, #SantéMentaleAuTravail, #stigma, #MHCC_Conf
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Presenters Leanne Dixon Senior Manager, HR & Health Emera Inc. Lyne Brun Supervisor, Health & Wellness, Certified Peer Support Specialist Emera Inc.
Where We Operate 2.5 million customers 7,200 employees
Overview of Emera International energy and services company Headquartered in Halifax, Nova Scotia Operate in five Canadian provinces and six countries Largest publically traded company based in Atlantic Canada.
Culture of Safety & Heath We are committed to health and wellness. We strive to live and work injury free. We share a belief that all injuries are preventable.
Our People 7,200 Employees (39% union) 32% Canada 57% US 11% Caribbean Power Generation Power Delivery Customer Service Engineering Project Management Business Development Corporate Functions
Safety Sensitive Work Reducing the risks Safe work practices Education/Training Personal Protective Equipment Fit for work (mentally and physically) Health Assessments Stay at Work/Return to Work Planning Rehabilitation/Treatment Mental Health Awareness
Mental Health Strategy
Mental Health Continuum HEALTHY REACTING INJURED ILL Mental health is a "state of well-being in which every individual: - realizes his or her own potential; - can cope with the normal stresses of life; - can work productively and fruitfully; and - is able to make a contribution to her or his community. (World Health Organization)
Addiction is a Disease Addiction is not a weakness Involuntary physical or mental condition that has some degree of permanence => Duty to Accommodate
Prevalence of Substance Abuse Alcohol 76% of Canadians reported use in past 12 mths Males => 81%; females => 71% Youth 15-19 yrs. => 60% Young adults 20-24 yrs. => 83% Adults 25+ yrs. => 77% Canadian Tobacco, Alcohol and Drugs Survey (CTADS) Health Canada 2013 (biennial)
Prevalence of Substance Abuse Illicit Drugs (cannabis, cocaine, speed, ecstasy, hallucinogens or heroin) 11% general population reported use in past 12 months Males 14%; females => 8% Youth 15-19 yrs. => 23% Young adults 20-24 yrs. => 27% Canadian Tobacco, Alcohol and Drugs Survey (CTADS) Health Canada 2013 (biennial)
Prevalence of Substance Abuse Cannabis (illicit use in the past 12 months) Males => 14%; females => 7% Youth 15-19 yrs. => 22% Young adults 20-24 yrs. => 26% Adults 25+ yrs. => 8% Canadian Tobacco, Alcohol and Drugs Survey (CTADS) Health Canada 2013 (biennial)
Prevalence of Substance Abuse Prescription Drugs Opioid pain relievers narcotics Stimulants Sedatives Prescribed for therapeutic purposes Psychoactive properties = potential to be abused/misused Used for reasons other than prescribed therapeutic purposes
Canadian Reality Rehm et al.2006 Costs attributable to substance abuse by cost in Canada (2002) Indirect Productivity Losses $24.3 (61%) Direct Health Care Costs $8.8 (22%) Direct Law Enforcement Costs $5.4 (14%) Other Direct Costs $1.3 (3%) Total Costs $39.8 billion/annum
Why don t more Employers Tackle this issue? Lack of processes Lack of knowledge about resources Lack of expertise Concern regarding misinterpreting observances Fear of offending an individual Prefer to avoid conflict Discomfort with difficult conversations
Benefits of Workplace Drug & Alcohol Programs Why Bother? Safety Productivity Quality Engagement/Culture
Process Followed at Emera Senior leadership commitment Stakeholder feedback/input Union buy-in Awareness, education and training Open and transparent process Focus on safety and health Accountability/Performance Management Evaluation of program outcomes
Emera A&D Program Components 1. Policy and Procedure - Work Standards/Expectations 2. Communication/Education 3. Testing Requirements 4. Investigative Process (reasonable cause and postincident) 5. Self Identification 6. Assessment/Rehabilitation & Aftercare 7. Return to Work 8. Consequences for Violations
Promoting Recovery at Work Navigating Healthcare & Community Services Stay at Work/Return to Work Planning & Support Alcohol & Drug Program - Rehab & Treatment Peer Support Community Partnerships
Key Resources Testing (Third Party Administrator and Medical Review Officer) Treatment/Rehabilitation Services Employee Family Assistance Program Disability Case Management
Lessons Learned Corporate buy-in Implementation plan Communication strategy Internal champions (Union Leadership) Continuous collaboration with key stakeholders Education before implementation Service Level Agreements for Key Resources
Questions
Resources Substance Use Free Resources A step-by-step guide to addressing problematic substance use: https://www.gnb.ca/0378/acca/pdf/acca-toolkit- English.pdf The CCSA s Low Risk Drinking Guidelines help moderate alcohol consumption and reduce immediate and long-term harms associated with it: http://www.ccsa.ca/eng/topics/alcohol/drinkingguidelines/pages/default.aspx Information on alcohol and drug abuse in the workplace: http://www.conferenceboard.ca/elibrary/abstract.aspx?did=6590 Accommodation: A user-friendly guide to working together on health issues in the workplace, Accommodation Works! Canadian Human Rights Commission: http://www.chrcccdp.gc.ca/eng/content/accommodation-works Accommodation Strategies to help employees remain productive: www.workplacestrategiesformentalhealth.com /managing-workplace-issues/accommodationstrategies National Standard National Standard for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace www.csagroup.org/z1003 Assembling the Pieces - An Implementation Guide to the National Standard for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace www.csagroup.org/z1003 Mental Health Literacy Training Mental Health First Aid www.mentalhealthfirstaid.ca The Working Mind www.mentalhealthcommission.ca/english/initia tives/11893/working-mind
Next Workplace Webinar March 29, 2017 at noon ET To watch our past webinars, visit our website at: www.mentalhealthcommission.ca/english/workinar
How did we do? Please fill out the survey that opens after you leave the webinar
Thank you! Tina Kouri, Program Manager, Workplace Mental Health Commission of Canada tkouri@mentalhealthcommission.ca Leanne Dixon Senior Manager, HR & Health Emera Inc. Leanne.Dixon@Emera.com Lyne Brun Supervisor, Health & Wellness, Certified Peer Support Specialist Emera Inc. Lyne.Brun@Emera.com