Today@Dal

On July 17, Dalhousie received an award at the 6^th Nova Scotia Psychologically Healthy Workplace Awards ceremony held at Saint Mary’s University. The university was among four Nova Scotia organizations that received awards for their achievements in developing and fostering supportive and healthy workplaces.

The Nova Scotia Psychologically Healthy Workplace Program is an initiative of the American Psychological Association (APA) designed to recognize organizations throughout Nova Scotia that foster employee health while enhancing productivity and sustainability. The program is sponsored by APA, the Association of Psychologists of Nova Scotia, Saint Mary’s University and the CN Centre for Occupational Health & Safety.

A psychologically health and safe workplace is one that promotes employees’ psychological well-being and actively works to prevent harm to employee psychological health.

“We’re so proud to be recognized for our work on employee wellness,” says Janice MacInnis, Manager, Organizational Health (Human Resources). “While we have more to do, we have reason to celebrate in terms of the wellness supports, resources and assessments that we offer our employees.”

Dalhousie was also cited recently as a case study in the Mental Health Commission of Canada’s report, Implementation of the Standard: Testimonials, which looks at what organizations across the country have done to address psychological health and safety in the workplace.

In 2013, the Mental Health Commission of Canada introduced The National Standard of Canada for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace (the Standard) - a set of voluntary guidelines, tools and resources intended to guide organizations in promoting mental health and preventing psychological harm at work.

Dalhousie adopted the Standard in 2015 and as a result developed Thrive, a mental wellness initiative for students, staff and faculty; introduced the Quality of Work Life survey that focuses on total health; and launched a Work Well strategy that provides more supports and resources for employee wellness.