Mental health and well-being resources for staff

A psychologically healthy workplace is a respectful and productive environment that promotes health and well-being and makes every reasonable effort to protect employees from work-related psychological harm.

This page offers an overview of the mental health and well-being resources available to staff, including information about Homewood Health, the City’s Employee Family Assistance Program.

Resources for all employees

Complete a mental health self-check
The Mental Health Continuum (534 KB) is a model for evaluating the relationship between mental health and well-being in three major categories:
- Good mental health
- Declining/poor mental health
- Possible diagnosable mental illness or disorder
This 14-minute video introduces the Mental Health Continuum and walks you through its use in the workplace and as part of your mental health self-check process.
Employee Family Assistance Program – Homewood Health
A free, confidential, professional service offered to employees and their families to help support them in resolving a wide range of challenges related to health, work and personal life.

Homewood Health is available 365 days, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call 1-800-663-1142.

Homewood Health online member services – Homeweb

To access Homeweb you will need to create a profile using code CV9750. Learn more (1.7 MB)

Employees and eligible dependents can follow the same simple registration process (849 KB) to get started.

Watch an orientation video about Homewood Health Services

Short term counselling services
- Relationship concerns in areas such as communication, separation, divorce
- Family issues such as parenting difficulties, family conflict or aging parents
- Workplace concerns linked to conflict, stress, change, balance, or career
- Financial and legal difficulties
- Alcohol and drug misuse or dependency
- Gambling and other addictions
- Depression and anxiety
- Bereavement and grief
- Anger management
- Sexual harassment and abuse
- Life transitions such as retirement, menopause, or divorce
Long-term counselling services (available to employees only)
- Trauma Care Program (236 KB)
- Depression Care Program (325 KB)
Coaching

Life Balance Solutions – Coaching
Health Smart – Coaching
Career Smart – Coaching
Mental well-being during life transitions

Resources to support you in navigating change and transitions:
Indigenous Support Services

Employees are invited to access support from an Elder or Knowledge Keeper of their choosing as an alternative to working with a professional from within Homewood’s network.

Call 1-800-663-1142 and request Indigenous Support Services for more information and to get started.

Online Cognitive Behavioral Therapy - Sentio

Homewood Health offers an internet-based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (iCBT) program called Sentio (1.3 MB). iCBT has been proven to be an effective therapy for mild to moderate depression, anxiety and other psychological mental health issues. Developed by clinical professionals using clinically researched techniques, Sentio contains over 20 treatment goals plus a wealth of tools and resources to help you change your thought patterns and improve your mood.

Learn more about Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (367 KB)

E-courses

Instant access to online learning developed by psychologists specialized in e-learning and health promotion. These self-paced, interactive, confidential learning courses target personal and workplace concerns.

View the full course catalogue (3.4 MB)

Eligibility

Homewood Health provides the Services for regular full-time, regular part-time, active auxiliary and active temporary full-time employees and their dependents. “Dependent” means one spouse or common law partner, and any unmarried child, stepchild, legally adopted child, or legal ward, (but not foster child) who is financially dependent on the employee or the employee’s spouse. A child is eligible to use the Services until reaching the age of 21 or reaching 25 if in full-time attendance at school or university.

Dependents with a disability of any age where the person remains a legal dependent of the covered employee beyond the age of 21, (or 25 if a full-time student) and the requirement for the dependent status occurred while under age 21 or under age 25 if a full-time student. This broadening of eligibility applies to unmarried child, stepchild, legally adopted child, or legal ward, (but not foster child) who is financially dependent on the employee / elected official or the employee/elected official’s spouse and remains legally and financially dependent as a result of a disability.

To learn more about Homewood Health, register to attend an upcoming live orientation session .
GreenShield+ Wellbeing
GreenShield’s integrated Well-being Program offers a holistic approach to healthy living through personalized strategies and care plans that support mental and physical health, to help you achieve your health goals.

Learn about the GreenShield+ Well-being health portal (584 KB) and the many ways it can support you in achieving your health and wellness goals.

How to access the program
1. Visit greenshieldplus.ca .
2. Log in using your username and password. If you are not yet registered, complete the registration form on the same page. You will need your member ID which you can find on your GreenShield wallet card.
3. Select 'Well-being' from your dashboard
4. Follow the instructions and navigate to tools and resources.
How to earn points on GreenShield+ Well-being

You can earn points by participating in as many of these activities as you like:
- Well-being questionnaire: 25 points
  - Identify and highlight areas of focus to help meet your health goals by completing the questionnaire each month
- Mini course: 25 points
  - Dive deeper into a topic by completing any of the many minicourses available
- Set a health goal: 5 points
  - Setting a health goal like tracking your steps or quality of sleep can positively impact your health
- Activities and quizzes: 3 points
  - Well-being offers a diverse library with thousands of engaging short activities and quizzes
- Wearables: Connect a wearable to earn an additional Empower ballot
How to win rewards

As you earn points you are automatically entered into one or more of the 3 prize tiers:
- Embrace – earn 25 points for a chance to win a $25 gift card
- Empower – earn 45 points for a chance to win a $50 gift card
- Elevate – earn 70 points or a chance to win a $250 gift card
Complete specific tasks and activities in Well-being to accumulate points. All points earned will go towards reaching each of the 3 tiers. Each time you reach a tier you will gain an automatic entry into the monthly draw. Reach all 3 tiers for a chance to win in each.

Winners will be randomly drawn from the pool of GreenShield members who have earned adequate points. GreenShield will notify winners by email each month. If you win a prize in any category, you will be directed to select your gift card prize of choice.

The prize value determines the number of points required for each bid. Individuals can only receive 1 prize from each of the 3 tiers per month.

Rewards program

As GreenShield continues to develop the Well-being platform, staff will have access to the national rewards while our customized rewards approach is being finalized. We will continue to work closely with GreenShield during the transition.

More information will be shared on the GreenShield+ website, as well as on Currents, as the new program is finalized.
Connection to Care phone support
A pilot program launched by the BC Municipal Safety Association and BC Association of Clinical Counsellors is available to connect municipal employees to immediate mental health support.

Connection to Care was developed to address the mental wellness needs of municipal employees by providing free, confidential support tailored to their unique needs.

The service is anonymous and personal information is not collected outside of confirming the municipality where you work. The program connects callers to interns enrolled in a master’s degree in counselling psychology or registered clinical counsellors.

To access the service:
- Phone: 778-247-2273
- Hours: Monday to Friday from 7 am to 10 pm
- You will be asked which local government organization you work for
- Describe the reason for your call and you will be immediately connected to a professional
The pilot program is available until December 2025. Learn more about Connection to Care

Download a poster to share in staff areas (3.3 MB)
Psychological Safety Talks
Fit City newsletters
Mental health at work poster series
Additional resources

Background

Why do we talk about mental health at work?

There is no health without mental health. The City of Vancouver prioritizes mental health in the workplace to enhance employee well-being, leading to a healthier, more productive, and successful organization. Discussing mental health in the workplace is vital for creating a supportive, connected, inclusive, and productive work environment.

Creating a mentally healthy workplace

The City of Vancouver is taking steps to adopt the National Standard for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace , addressing workplace factors that may impact employee mental well-being. The Standard is a voluntary set of guidelines, tools and resources designed to help employers make every reasonable effort to protect employees from work-related psychological harm. It is focused on promoting employees’ psychological health and preventing psychological harm due to workplace factors.

13 Factors: addressing mental health in the workplace

The 13 Psychosocial Factors are key elements that impact employees' psychological health and safety in the workplace. By identifying and addressing these factors, employers can create a supportive work environment that promotes mental health and well-being.

Shared responsibility: employers and employees

Workplace mental health is a joint effort between employers and employees. The employer’s role is to establish policies, processes and resources. The role of employees is to manage their mental health and seek assistance when required.

Resources for managers and supervisors

Information for people leaders on how to support the mental health and psychological safety of your team can be found on the Mental health and well-being resources page on Currents, our staff intranet.

Contact us

For more information about the City’s well-being programs and resources:

Email: [email protected]

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Mental health and well-being resources for staff

Resources for all employees

Complete a mental health self-check

Employee Family Assistance Program – Homewood Health

GreenShield+ Wellbeing

Connection to Care phone support

Psychological Safety Talks

Fit City newsletters

Mental health at work poster series

Additional resources

Background

Contact us

Contact information, partner agencies, and website policies