Psychological Health and Safety
Workplace Mental Health and The National Standard
Workplaces play a critical role in supporting mental health, offering adults a sense of productivity and well-being, but they can also be sources of stress that contribute to mental health problems. Most Canadian adults spend the majority of their waking hours at work, making psychological health and safety vital. Seventy percent of employees are concerned about their workplace mental health, and 14% believe their workplace is unhealthy or unsafe.
Poor workplace mental health takes a personal toll and drives significant economic costs: about 30% of short- and long-term disability claims are linked to mental health issues, costing the Canadian economy over $50 billion annually, including $6 billion in lost productivity from absenteeism, presenteeism, and turnover. For more information on workplace mental health, see the Mental Health Commission of Canada.
The Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC) created Changing Directions, Changing Lives: The Mental Health Strategy for Canada to draw on the experience, knowledge and wisdom of thousands of people across the country and provide an opportunity for everyone’s efforts – large and small – to help bring about change. The strategy includes creating the National Standard for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace. In partnership with Canadian Standards Association (CSA Group) and Bureau de normalisation du Quebec (BNQ), the standards were developed and approved by the Standards Council of Canada.
The National Standard of Canada is framed around recognizing and taking action to realize 13 psychosocial factors that can impact the mental health of employees in the workplace. It is a collection of voluntary guidelines, resources, and tools aimed at assisting organizations in fostering mental wellbeing and preventing psychological harm in the workplace.
Psychological Harm Risk Assessment Tool - Radius
In 2026, the CCSA will sponsor 100 free Radius assessments – a powerful, web-based tool developed by PSHSA that evaluates the risk of psychological harm associated with 18 job-specific factors. Radius focuses on identifying the risks unique to each role in a workplace. With built-in solutions and an Action Planner, Radius empowers workplaces to take action, guide next steps, and support informed decision-making.
Fill the Waiting List form, and you will be notified when your slot is ready. Our Health & Safety Team will guide you and help you through each step of the assessment.
Why should your organization implement a psychological health and safety management system?
Building the Foundation and Assembling the Pieces:
- Risk Mitigation
- Cost Effectiveness
- Recruitment & Retention
- Sustainability & Excellence
The vision for a psychologically healthy and safe workplace is one that actively works to prevent harm to worker psychological health, including in negligent, reckless, or intentional ways, and promotes psychological well-being.
CCSA has signed the Declaration of commitment to Psychological Health and Safety in Healthcare.
As a signatories of the Declaration of Commitment to Psychological Health and Safety in Healthcare, we demonstrate our commitment to:
- Take action in alignment with the principles of the National Standard for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace;
- Recognize the value of our staff’s psychological health and safety and its interdependence with patient safety; and that creating a psychologically safe work environment benefits both patients and staff;
- Cultivate a workplace culture that respects our staff’s needs including, but not limited to, their psychological health and safety; and,
- Be leaders and champions for advancing workplace psychological health and safety
Supporting Psychological Health and Safety in Continuing Care
Promotion of Workers' Mental Health
As part of our Psychological Health and Safety Program, CCSA has partnered with the Canadian Association for Long-Term Care (CALTC) to support a grant they have received from the federal government to boost resiliency and mental health education with staff in long-term care across the country.
Prevention of Psychological Harm
Government of Alberta OHS Prevention Initiative
The OHS prevention initiative focuses on reducing common workplace injuries, protecting at-risk workers and identifying higher-risk work situations. The initiative also coordinates efforts between OHS system partners to achieve better health and safety outcomes.
Psychological Protection from Violence and Harassment
“Violence and Harassment” has been 1 of the top 5 injury causes in the continuing care industry. CCSA has adapted the evidence-based Violence and Aggression, Responsive Behavior (VARB) Toolkits and Resources from Ontario’s Public Services Health and Safety Association (PSHSA). A Psychologically safe and healthy organization actively tries to prevent harm to workers from harassment, bullying, discrimination, violence, or stigma.