Tag Archives: santé mentale

Mental health matters: Introducing the Before Operational Stress program for CBSA workers

a photo of three people with the words "mental health matters"

As in past years, sustained calls for better mental health resources and an improved support infrastructure continue to echo, highlighting the still pressing need for well-funded and accessible services to ensure the well-being of Canadians everywhere — including in the workplace. Indeed, studies have shown unequivocally that Canadians want increased funding for mental health, with issues stemming from stressful, toxic work environments remaining all too present.

The Before Operational Stress program

Frontline officers and public safety workers, including CBSA personnel, often face mental health challenges specific to their profession. As a union, we’ve been active in pushing the Agency to do more to support its workforce and find solutions to issues that contribute to — or outright cause — lasting mental health problems.

In a recent positive development, CIU and the CBSA Wellness Division have been working together to give our members access to a bold mental health initiative specifically developed with public safety personnel in mind — Wayfound‘s Before Operational Stress (BOS) program. As per the program’s description:

[BOS] uniquely combines theoretical and experiential learning procedures to mitigate the effects of operational stress. As we work to continue to understand the impact of operational stress, our evidence tells us we can provide tools to proactively cushion the impact of public safety personnel’s work so that they can do their jobs without tragic consequences. While it is understood that public safety employees will inevitably be exposed to operational stress, that does not mean they are destined to have their lives ruined by the psychological effects of their work.

Through Wayfound and with the help of CIPSRT, 8,000 free spots have been made available to CBSA workers so that they may benefit from the BOS program.

Click here for more information on how to register. Please note that this fully confidential, self-directed program is run by an independent 3rd party. Neither CBSA nor the union can access the information you choose to share as part of the BOS initiative. We encourage all our members to participate, and to contact their local manager to complete this program while at work.

You are not alone

When facing a difficult situation at work or at home, remember that you are not alone. People around you can be a source of support, and your union is there to assist and help you find the resources you need. As CBSA employees, you can also contact LifeWorks for confidential assistance — be it for advice, counselling or treatment (for more information about LifeWorks and other resources, see our Mental Health page). PSAC has also published a list of resources to assist you if you feel overwhelmed, are struggling with stress, or are facing mental health difficulties.

Just like physical well-being, mental health matters, in any setting.​

Mental health matters, at home and at work

a photo of three people with the words "mental health matters"

Today, as in previous years at this time, social media is filled with discussions seeking to raise awareness about mental health issues and initiatives. As the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic draws to a close, the numerous challenges brought about by this unprecedented crisis, be it in terms of physical or mental health, make it all the more important to reflect not only on the state of our healthcare infrastructure in general, but also on our mental health support systems at large.

Frontline and essential workers continue to be confronted with exceedingly taxing situations, and the need for a robust and accessible service infrastructure cannot be overstated if we wish to care for the mental well-being of Canadians everywhere – including in the workplace. In 2020, the Mental Health Commission of Canada published a study showing that nearly 9 in 10 Canadians want increased funding for mental health. In 2021, from a law enforcement perspective, Statistics Canada released a report making it clear that the pandemic had a significant impact on the mental well-being of the Canadian population, with some police services reporting a 13% increase in well-being check calls, and a 12% increase in mental health-related calls.

Beyond the concerns caused by COVID-19, and in addition to the need for general access to care, workplace culture also needs to foster mental well-being and not hinder it. Within CBSA, past employee surveys have shown a high level of dissatisfaction due to psychologically unhealthy workplaces. As a union, we’ve been vocal about the need for CBSA to address the many problems that plague the Agency when it comes to abuse of authority and harassment by managers.

You are not alone

When facing a difficult situation at work or at home, remember that you are not alone. People around you can be a source of support, and your union is there to assist and help you find the resources you need. As CBSA employees, you can also contact LifeWorks for confidential assistance – be it for advice, counselling or treatment (for more information about LifeWorks and other resources, see our Mental Health page). PSAC has also published a list of resources to assist you if you feel overwhelmed, are struggling with stress, or are facing mental health difficulties.

Just like physical well-being, mental health matters, in any setting.​

More than ever, mental health matters

a photo of three people with the words "mental health matters"

Today, like in previous years at this time, social media is filled with discussions seeking to raise awareness about mental health issues and initiatives. Unlike previous years, however, challenges brought about by COVID-19 to both physical and mental health, on a scale rarely seen before, make it all the more important to reflect on the state of mental health support within the Canadian government and public service.

More so than usual, frontline and essential workers have spent the past months being confronted with exceedingly taxing situations, and the need for a robust and accessible service infrastructure cannot be understated if we wish to care for the mental well-being of Canadians everywhere – including in the workplace. Last year, the Mental Health Commission of Canada published a study showing that nearly 9 in 10 Canadians want increased funding for mental health. This year, from a law enforcement perspective, Statistics Canada released a report making it clear that the pandemic has had a significant impact on mental well-being of the Canadian population, with some police services reporting a 13% increase in well-being checks calls, and a 12% increase in mental health-related calls.

Beyond the concerns caused by COVID-19, and in addition to the need for general access to care, workplace culture also needs to foster mental well-being and not hinder it. Within CBSA, past employee surveys have shown a high level of dissatisfaction due to a psychologically unhealthy workplace. As a union, we’ve been vocal about the need for CBSA to address the many problems that plague the Agency when it comes to abuse of authority and harassment by managers.

You are not alone

When facing a difficult situation at work or at home, remember that you are not alone. People around you can be a source of support, and your union is there to assist you and help you find the resources you need. As CBSA employees, you can also contact Homewood Health for confidential assistance – be it for advice, counselling or treatment (for more information about Homewood Health and other resources, see our Mental Health page). PSAC has also published a list of resources to assist you if you feel overwhelmed, are struggling with stress, or are facing mental health difficulties.

Just like physical well-being, mental health matters, in any setting.

Mental health matters – at work and at home

a photo of three people with the words "mental health matters"

Today is January 29, and social media is filled with discussions and posts seeking to raise awareness about mental health issues and initiatives. It is a good time to reflect on the state of mental health support within the Canadian government and public service.

Forums for discussing mental health can play an important role in de-stigmatizing issues, and we need to ensure structures are put in place to provide everyone with access to proper support and care, including in the workplace. Indeed, the Mental Health Commission of Canada recently published a study showing that nearly 9 in 10 Canadians want increased funding for mental health. Beyond access to care, workplace culture also needs to foster mental well-being and not hinder it.

It is no secret that, as law enforcement officers and public servants, our members are sometimes confronted with difficult, stressful situations as part of their daily work. Within CBSA, past employee surveys have shown a high level of dissatisfaction due to a psychologically unhealthy workplace. As a union, we’ve been vocal about the need for CBSA to address the many problems that plague the Agency when it comes to abuse of authority and harassment by managers.

You are not alone

When facing a difficult situation at work or at home, remember that you are not alone. People around you can be a source of support, and your union is there to assist you and help you find the resources you need. As CBSA employees, you can also contact Homewood Health for confidential assistance – be it for advice, counselling or treatment (for more information about Homewood Health and other resources, see our Mental Health page).

Just like physical well-being, mental health matters, in any setting.