On behalf of: Health Safety Well-being Ability Management
We all want better support for our psychological well-being and mental health. That’s why Island Health offers programs to support you at work and in life.
- Psychological health and safety training provides foundational knowledge for all staff and medical staff. Everyone is encouraged to take this optional training to help support yourself and your colleagues. Training is mandatory for non-contract leaders.
- Counselling is available 24 hours a day through Island Health’s Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP).
- Counsellors have a master's degree or more.
- Support is provided on legal, financial, health and family issues.
- Access support in 32 languages.
- Critical Incident Response (CIR) program offers free support for staff experiencing stress related to traumatic incidents at work.
- Indigenous counselling support is available from an Indigenous Registered Clinical Counsellor, in addition to other programs.
- Wellness opportunities, such as EFAP workshops and Self Care Café are offered throughout the year.
Questions about the Employee and Family Assistance Program? Contact wellness@islandhealth.ca
Resources
- Employee and Family Assistance Program - for counselling call 1-844-935-4758
- TELUS One app – offers information, assessments, EFAP services
- Crisis Lines call 310-6789
- Foundry
- Kids Help Phone call 1-800-668-6868 or text 686868
- Care to Speak – offers peer support for health and social support workers in BC
- Spiritual Services
- WorkSafeBC Critical Incident Response (CIR) Program 1-888-922-3700
For Indigenous Employees
In addition to the resources listed above, self-identified Indigenous (First Nations, Métis and Inuit) employees may access the following Island Health provisions:
- Counselling support from an Indigenous Registered Clinical Counsellor. Please contact either Nancy or Meli to set up an appointment:
- Nancy Kinyewakan | kccshome@gmail.com or 250-661-5552
- Meli Louie | mmlouie84@gmail.com or 250-857-9134
- Connection and support through the Indigenous Employee Experience Program at IndigenousEmployeeExperience@islandhealth.ca.
You may also wish to access culturally safe, Indigenous-specific supports from the following external organizations, which offer mental health supports and 24/7 Indigenous-specific crisis support:
- FNHA Mental Health & Wellness Benefits
- Hope for Wellness 1-855-242-3310
- Ku-Uus Crisis Line 1-800-588-8717
- Indian Residential School Crisis Line 1-866-925-4419
- Métis Crisis Line 1-833-638-4722
Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)
Community connections at work support psychological well-being and a sense of safety. Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) foster belonging by connecting employees with shared identities while advancing dialogue on diversity, equity and inclusion.
Current ERGs are for employees who identify as:
- 2SLGBTQIA+
- Indigenous, Black and People of Colour (IBPOC)
- People with Disabilities (Accessibility Group)
Interested in joining?
Email DEI@islandhealth.ca and let us know which community (or communities) you identify with. You’ll be added to the distribution list and invited to the next virtual meeting.
What to expect:
- Virtual meetings every six weeks
- Attendance is flexible—join when you’re able
- Open to employees from all roles and disciplines
- Leaders are encouraged to support attendance at 1-hour meetings