Support Resources

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Mental Health Resources in the Federal Public Service

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

• Short-term professional psychological support is available to all employees and their immediate families through your departmental EAP. Please consult this link to find your EAP provider: Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Employees in departments that receive EAP from Health Canada can ask to be referred to a mental health professional who self-identifies as a member of a particular community or who has training and/or experience in supporting clients from a specific community (e.g., cultural or religious communities, Indigeneity, 2SLGBTQIA+).

9-8-8: Suicide Crisis Helpline

• The 9-8-8: Suicide Crisis Helpline provides people in Canada with free access to 24/7/365, bilingual, trauma-informed, and culturally appropriate suicide prevention support by phone and text. If you call or text 9-8-8, trained crisis responders will listen to you and provide support with compassion, providing a safe space for you to talk.

For ongoing mental health supports

Nurturing positive employee and workplace mental health is a long-term endeavor. The following are some resources to foster or improve positive individual and workplace mental health.

Public Service Health Care Plan Psychological Services

• Employees can now see a psychologist, social worker, psychotherapist, or counsellor without a prescription at a reimbursement of 80% of the cost under the Public Service Health Care Plan. As of July 1^st, 2023, these benefits have increased from $2K per calendar year to $5K.

Mental Health Support: Get Help

• Visit canada.ca/mental-health any time for more free mental health and substance use resources and supports.

Ombud Services

• If your organization has an Ombuds office for mental health, employees can access confidential, impartial advice by reaching out through your departmental intranet. Consult your internal website to contact your Ombud.
• Ombud services vary from department to department, but generally include being a sounding board; providing guidance or coaching so employees can raise and resolve issues; and/or supporting them in preparing for a difficult conversation.

Centre of Expertise on Mental Health in the Workplace

• Resources for improving employee self-care strategies and workplace mental health are available by visiting Centre of Expertise on Mental Health in the Workplace at Canada.ca, including mental health supports for managers.

Informal Conflict Management System

• Contact your ICMS office to find out how they can help employees to prevent, manage and resolve a workplace issue that may be inhibiting psychological health and safety in the workplace.

Canada School of Public Service

• The Canada School of Public Service offers the Mental Health Learning Series with self-paced courses, and they also have one-page job aids for quick reference on topics including:
  • Civility and respect at work
  • Mental health job aids for managers

Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety

• The Centre offers comprehensive resources on issues related to health promotion, wellness and psychosocial safety in the workplace.

Workplace Strategies for Mental Health

• This organization provides policies, programs and prevention strategies to support workplace mental health and psychological safety for everyone.

Contact your manager or Human Resources advisor for further information on supports specific to your organization.