Superior Mental Wellness @ Work

Calling all workers and workplaces in Northwestern Ontario!
EPID@Work (Enhancing the Prevention of Injury and Disability at Work) Research Institute is launching the largest cohort study ever conducted in Northwestern Ontario. It will examine workplace factors for mental health and wellbeing in the workplace.

What is a cohort study? 

• A cohort study is an observational, long-term study that follows a group of people over time. Anyone who completes the study will be contacted again in six months for a follow-up survey, and every six months after that as long as the study continues. The longer the study runs, the better researchers can collect and examine the data – potentially leading to groundbreaking conclusions and interventions for mental health in our workplaces.

Who can participate? 

• All workers and all employers in Northwestern Ontario are encouraged to participate. All surveys will remain completely confidential.
• Getting involved in the study is easy! Visit workinghealth.ca to learn more, sign up your workplace or volunteer as an individual.

Ultimately, the NOWWHS cohort study could have a big impact on the mental health and wellness of workplaces and workers in our region. With a large sample size and a long-term goal, EPID@Work is hopeful that this study will become a powerful tool for change.

Interested in supporting mental health at work, but don't know how to get started? Download the Superior Mental Wellness @ Work toolkit [PDF] with helpful information and resources.

To request a hard copy of the toolkit, download and complete the Workplace Wellness Resource Request Form (Word file), then email it to workplacewellness@tbdhu.com.

Bulletin board kits are available to any worksite in Thunder Bay or across the district at no charge. Each kit comes with all the pieces ready to be cut out. They also come with help cards and tip cards, along with plastic holders to attach them to the board. A diagram of the board design is provided as well to assist with the assembly. The worksite provides the tacks and the empty board space. A space of 4' x 6' is ideal, but the pieces can be positioned closer together if the area is smaller. Print files of the kits are also linked below for workplaces where it is more suitable to print the kits for themselves. In this case, TBDHU will still provide the supplementary resource cards and holders upon request. View the Bulletin Board Kit Assembly Instructions [PDF]. 

Click on the links to see what each board contains:

• Board #1 - Get Real Photovoice  [Print file PDF]
• Board #2 - Mental Health in the Workplace Myths and Facts [Print file PDF]
  • La sante mentale au travail mythes et faits [Print file PDF]
• Board #3 - Promoting Good Mental Health [Print file PDF]
• Board #4 - Keep Stress in Check [Print file PDF]
• Board #5 - Work Life Balance [Print file PDF]
• Board #6 - Stand Up to Mental Health Stigma [Print file PDF]
• Board #7 - Is Substance Use Affecting Your Life? [Print file PDF]

To request a bulletin board kit for your workplace, download and complete the Workplace Wellness Resource Request Form (Word file), then email it to workplacewellness@tbdhu.com. Once a request for a kit is received, the workplace will be notified when it is ready for pick up from the main office on Balmoral Street in Thunder Bay. If picking up the kit is not feasible, alternate arrangements will be made.  

Help Cards: Business card-sized help cards are available to workplaces at no charge. These cards list some key mental health crisis services available. There is a space on the inside to write in the contact information of an employee assistance program provider. Place these cards in common areas or on a supervisor’s desk so they are handy if someone is in need of mental health support. Small acrylic card holders can also be provided for free.

• Superior Mental Wellness@Work Help Card [PDF]

Tip Cards: Information cards provide helpful tips for workplace leaders and employees on supporting mental health in the workplace.

• Superior Mental Wellness@Work Tip Card [PDF]

To request help cards or tip cards for your workplace, download and complete the Workplace Wellness Resource Request Form (Word file), then email it to workplacewellness@tbdhu.com.

Put this mobile art exhibit on display at your workplace. It features creative local photos that spark conversation about mental health at work. Click the Get Real Photovoice Project to learn more and to view the virtual exhibit. 

To request to borrow the exhibit, download and complete the Workplace Wellness Resource Request Form (Word file), then email it to workplacewellness@tbdhu.com.

Receive regular updates on news related to local workplace wellness sent directly to your inbox! Be first in the know about:

• Upcoming education and training events
• New workplace wellnes resources
• TBDHU workplace challenges and contests
• Local workplace wellness research

To sign up, visit the TBDHU.com/workplaces page and complete the "Sign up for our newsletter" form.

Current members of the Superior Mental Wellness @ Work Advisory Group include representatives from the following organizations:

• City of Thunder Bay
• Creighton Youth Services
• EPID@Work Research Institute
• Infrastructure Health & Safety Association (IHSA)
• K. Hunter Workplace Consulting
• Kelly Mental Health
• Lakehead University
• Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers (Thunder Bay)
• St. Joseph’s Care Group
• Superior Greenstone District School Board
• Synergy North
• TBayTel
• TBT Engineering
• Thunder Bay Counselling
• Thunder Bay District Health Unit
• Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre
• Unifor Union 229
• Workplace Safety North

The Superior Mental Wellness @ Work Advisory Group recently updated its strategic action plan. The plan was informed by the results of the local Mental Health in the Workplace Needs Assessment Survey conducted in 2023. Over the next few years, the project will focus on fulfilling objectives that fall under the following four main pillars:

1. Coordinate mental health training for leaders
2. Reduce and prevent mental health stigma in the workplace
3. Develop and share accessible workplace mental health tools and resources
4. Implement and evaluate evidence-based interventions

As new training events, mental wellness resources, or opportunities to participate in workplace research become available, they will be posted on this page. To be notified of updates, consider subscribing to the TBDHU wellness@work ebulletin. You will receive workplace wellness news directly in your inbox approximately once a month. To subscribe, visit the Workplace Health page and enter your name and emaill address in the "Sign up for our Newsletter" form. You can unsubscribe at any time.