Important Notices & Accommodations

Program Description

The Working Mind (TWM) is an evidence-based learning program designed to reduce stigma and discrimination in the workplace surrounding mental illness. The program aims to help workplaces create a culture of mental health awareness and support.

The Infrastructure Health and Safety Association (IHSA) has partnered with the Mental Health Commission of Canada to adapt TWM for trade workers and supervisors in the sectors IHSA serves.

Based on years of mental health policy research, TWM will teach you strategies to foster a more resilient workplace.

Understand basic concepts related to mental health and mental illness.
Recognize stigma and know how to reduce it.
Track changes in your mental health and know when to take action.
Talk about mental health and mental illness with colleagues, friends, and family
Cope with and manage workplace stress.

In the initial phase of rollout, courses will be lead by a facilitator and delivered live via Zoom, using discussions, breakout activities, videos, and polls. Participants are expected to have cameras on and be actively engaged throughout the entire course. Starting in 2025, we will expand delivery to include in-person classroom sessions.

Program Content

TWM courses include scenario-based lessons, videos from people with lived experience of mental illness, practical activities, and other resources for further learning including:

• Mental Health Continuum Tool. A way to check in on your always changing mental health and wellness.
• ‘Big Four’ coping skills. Evidence-based techniques to help you cope with stress and improve your mental health and resilience.
• Contact-based education. Personal stories told by people with lived experience to help you reduce stigma effectively.

TWM training for workers takes five hours when delivered in-person and virtually. By taking the course, you will learn to:

• understand mental health and mental illness
• recognize signs and indicators of mental health and mental illness in yourself and others
• reduce stigma and recognize negative attitudes toward people with mental health problems
• support colleagues with mental health problems
• maintain your mental health and improve your resilience.

Course modules:

• 1. Mental Health and Stigma
• 2. Mental Health in the Workplace
• 3. Stress and Resilience

Who Should Attend?

This course is geared to all workers in the sectors served by IHSA.

Prerequisites

None

Personal Protective Equipment / What to Bring

None

Learning Evaluation

You will receive a certificate of completion at the end of course to recognize the skills you have learned.

For participants with language, literacy, or special accommodation needs, alternative evaluation methods to the knowledge test may be used to verify that key concepts have been understood. Please discuss your needs with an IHSA Customer Service Representative when registering for the course and confirm your arrangements with the instructor before the beginning of class.

Participant Evaluation

At the end of the training, participants will have the opportunity to evaluate and provide comments about the training they received.