1. The Fire Perspective Our Journey to Workplace Mental Health
Presented by: Chief Tim Beckett,
April 2017

2. Agenda How did we get here? Assessment of MFES issues
How did we prepare?
MFES- Wellness Fitness Initiative
PEER Team
Mental Health Awareness Session
Our Success Factors
Next Steps
Tim

3. Strategy MFES Approach Assess the Opportunities Define the
Third party assessment against PH&S Standards
Define the
Strategy
Committee- representation from Association, Management, EHS, External Experts
Develop and Implement the Solution
Current tool kit:
Peer Team
Mental Health Awareness
R2MR
Supportive Corporate Policies
Tim
Assessment of opportunities through Sun Life- included multiple focus groups and review of our resources including programs and policies

4. Assess the Opportunities
Environment reinforced certain behaviours
Lack of understanding of available resources
Limited understanding of mental health issues- “Stigma”
Discomfort communicating with someone in distress.
Strong Foundation pieces
Tim

5. Corporate Policies Respectful Workplace Health and Safety
Violence in the Workplace
Short and Long Term Accommodation
Attendance Support and Management Program
Tim add any specific departmental ones

6. PEER Team
Founded in 1989
Membership consists of variety of ranks from the bargaining unit
Provides Critical Incident Stress Management services
Additional support for other mental health issues: addiction, suicide intervention, EAP referral
Coordinator- Acting Captain Jodine Hough
Team includes: EAP liaise, Management liaise, shift leads
Tim

7. PEER Team Methods of activation: Advocacy role: direct,
requested by employee,
advised by Communications after specific incident
Station courtesy call
Station visits (OOS)
Advocacy role:
Coaching on documentation
Incident tracking
Year end review

8. Wellness Fitness Initiative Joint Labour Management Initiative (IAFF, IAFC)
Behavioral
Peer Team
Mental Health Training
Clergy
EAP
Physical
Personal Fitness Coaching
Onsite gyms
Physical & Cognitive Demands analysis
Individual assessments
Medical
Physicals
Rehabilitation
Return to Work
EHS
Metrics
Tim
Joint Labour Management Initiative (IAFF, IAFC)
Pillars include: medical, fitness, rehabilitation, behavioural health
Behavioural health sub committee
Mandate:
What is necessary to support good mental health in MFES?

9. Mental Health Awareness Session (2013)
Objectives:
Understand how good mental health benefits MFES
Explore the relationship between health and illness
Consider how the firefighter role and our culture impacts mental health
Recognize typical signs and symptoms that can indicate an individual is experiencing difficulty
Commonly diagnosed mental health disorders
Be aware of resources and strategies for support
Drew

10. Mental Health Awareness Session (2013)
Success Factors:
Supported by the Fire Senior Management Team
Participation at all levels
Made it real- the video
Reinforced by available resources within the City and MFES
Tailored to the audience:
Full day Senior People Leaders
Association People Leaders
Crew
Tim
Senior People Leaders session:
Chief, Deputy Chiefs, Platoon Chiefs, District Chiefs, Association Executive, PEER Team, H&S Committee
Different focus on: roles and responsibilities, focused conversation, processes, available resources
Association People Leaders:
Half Day- breakout session
Captains
Different focus on: roles and responsibilities, focused conversation, documentation, available resources
Crew:
Different focus on: roles and responsibilities, processes, reducing stigma, support vs enable, available resources

11. Road Too Mental Readiness (R2MR)
Hosted R2MR train the trainer session
Currently facilitating departmental wide training
People leaders training completed
Remaining Department to be completed 2016
Tim

12. 13 Psychological Health & Safety Factors
Psychological and Social Support
Organizational Culture
Clear Leadership and Expectations
Civility and Respect
MFES opportunities
Psychological Competencies and Requirements
Growth and Development
Technology
Accountability
Recognition and Reward
Involvement and Influence
Drew
Independent assessment by Sun Life outlines several opportunities
Workload Management
Engagement
Balance
Psychological Protection
Technology
Protection of Physical Safety

13. Mental health strategy methodology
Phase 1
Involvement & Buy In
Mental health strategy methodology
Phase 2
Design
Drew
Phase 3
Implementation and Measurement

14. Mental Health Strategy (Total Health Strategy)
What do we hope to achieve?
Leverage current resources
Return to work support for all
Access to firefighting centric health professionals
Reduction of stigma
Tools and training to support the vision
Drew

15. Mental Health Strategy (Total Health Strategy)
How do we hope to achieve it?
Commitment at all levels
Ongoing training
Model and reward behavior that supports mental health
Continuous Awareness Campaign
Establish ties to strong treatment providers
Customize rtw that addresses mental health issues
Assess strategies against best practices
Drew

16. Employment Cycle Recruit Test Hire Performance Manage Retire Drew
Potential Disability
/Accommodation
Retire
Drew

17. Mississauga Fire Value Total Health Direction and Values
The 13 PHS Standard
Accreditation- NFPA Standard
Mississauga Fire Value Total Health Direction and Values
Strategic Process Overview
Baseline
Strategy
Evaluation
Historical Data
Current Data
THI Scorecard
Reactionary Programming
Maintenance Programming
Prevention Programming
THI KPBs
Org KPIs
Org Outcomes
Employee
Employer
Competencies
Internal Stressors
Externals Stressors
Health Engagement Productivity

18. Design of Mental Health Strategy
Prevention
Support
Treatment
Examples
Early detection tool
Education on mental health
Coping skills training
Health and wellness activities
Reduce workplace hazards
Communication strategies to reduce stigma and self-advocacy
PDA/CDA
Physical health initiatives
Examples
EAFP
Management training in mental health detection and support
Peers support groups
Benefits plan
Management effectiveness
Culture – promote respectful workplaces
Supportive return to work programs
Accommodation programs
Examples
Onsite Psychiatrist
Preferred provider list
Treatment specific programs

19. Key Performance Indicators
Lagging Indicators
Absence Trends
Benefit Trends
Engagement Trends
EAP utilization
Leading Indicators
# of health related training sessions
# of workplace complaints
Improvements in engagement
% of EE’s participating in health sessions
Drew

20. MFES Objectives Mental Health and Well-being doesn’t just happen…
Drew
Our plans it to provide an organized and focused approach to workplace mental health.

21. Next Steps Develop 3 to 5 year plan of action-implementation plan
Confirm key performance indicators
Develop Specific Programs with Community Partnerships
Continuous improvement as we lead the way to best practices
Tim