A1: Promoting Workplace Psychological Safety: Peer Support as Personal Protective Equipment

Establishing a sense of trust and value among employees within a work team hinges on prioritizing workplace psychological health and safety. Unfortunately, nearly 20% of employed Canadians have indicated that their workplaces lack psychological safety. This type of environment can lead to mental distress, frequently manifesting as anxiety, depression, and fatigue. These hazards not only affect the employee but also negatively affect the organization by reducing the effectiveness of the employees and increasing workplace absence.

In response to these pressing challenges, we have forged HEAR US—a collaborative entity composed of individuals with firsthand experience of mental health challenges in the workforce, alongside researchers from the University of Alberta. Through our shared research journey, we have recognized peer support as a pivotal strategy to protect employees’ mental well-being and improve psychological safety in the workplace. We have developed a website where peers can access resources, peer support, and mentorship tailored to their unique needs to navigate workplace challenges. Our website also offers ways for employers to access resources to support employees with mental health challenges.

We invite you to join us and witness the impactful stories shared by our HEAR US team members. Through their testimonials, you'll sneak-peak into how peer support has positively transformed their work lives, offering valuable insights that could potentially elevate your own work experiences. Your presence at our presentation could be an inspiring step towards enhancing well-being and collaboration in your workplace.

A2: Embracing Inclusion - How working parents can achieve mental wellness through inclusion in the workplace.

My presentation style will be Conference by Storytelling. My story is my lived experience throughout my career and through the recent changes in family systems, work culture, and leadership response to structures that affect employee satisfaction. I have had some amazing leaders, and unfortunately, leaders that do not work within the inclusion framework. It is my passion to promote mental wellness and inclusion within the place to foster employment satisfaction, growth, and dedication. Inclusion in the workplace means that every employee has an equal opportunity to be the best employee they can be and feel successful in their space. My presentation is concentrated on the diversity of families and struggles modern families face within the field of mental health and the health care system and we can foster the working relationship between front-line workers and management, to successfully prevent morality burnout and exclusion.

A3: Navigating Mental Well-Being and DEI Integration: Challenges and Opportunities

Step into a workplace where mental well-being thrives and individuals flourish without the constraints of stigma. In "UnHide Yourself: Cultivating Fearless Spaces, Empowering Mental Well-Being," we embark on a transformative journey to break down walls created by bias and stigma surrounding mental health. As people leaders, you hold the power to create a culture of empathy, authenticity, and psychological safety.

Through interactive discussions and practical strategies, we will explore the impact of biases, challenge stereotypes, and normalize mental health conversations. Explore innovative practices and learn actionable techniques to foster open dialogue, promote work-life balance, and support employees' mental well-being.

Engage with the "UnHide Yourself Blueprint™," empowering you to champion mental well-being, cultivate fearless spaces, and foster a thriving, inclusive workplace where everyone can truly be themselves

A4: My Leader the Role Model: Stories of Team Psychological Safety

Hear from employees on the City of Calgary’s Healthy Workplace team about the great practices that have been established in their team to create a healthy workplace environment and how they support other leaders in the organization to do the same. Everyone on the team contributes to the shared experience and rather than striving for perfection, they focus on continuously improving, learning, and growing and proactively anticipate ways to address challenges to psychological safety. Their practices, that are anchored in the CSA Z1003 National Standard for Psychological Health & Safety in the Workplace and the 13+ psychosocial factors, are embedded in strategic planning, team planning, the way work is carried out, and day to day interactions. Their Corporate programs and initiatives, such as the Corporate Psychological Safety Pulse Check, are piloted in their team to ensure they support each other first before helping others across the organization.

B1: Pixels of Positivity: Navigating Stress and Cultivating Wellness in Front-line Work

"Pixels of Positivity" is a dynamic 90-minute workshop designed for front-line staff, focusing on managing stress, building healthy habits, and implementing self-care strategies. This interactive session introduces the 'Power of Pixels' concept, emphasizing small, consistent actions for significant mental health improvements. Participants will engage in identifying stressors, sharing experiences, and learning about the impact of stress. The workshop offers practical tools for habit formation and self-care, including guided mindfulness exercises and role-playing scenarios. Attendees will learn to cultivate a positive mindset and resilience, transforming daily work challenges into opportunities for growth. This workshop is an ideal blend of education and empowerment, providing front-line staff with simple yet effective techniques for enhanced mental well-being in a high-pressure environment.

B2: Beyond the Paycheck: Mental Health Struggles in Minimum Wage Jobs (Panel)

Join us for an insightful panel discussion where minimum wage workers take center stage to share their personal experiences and perspectives on managing mental health challenges in the demanding environments of hospitality and retail industries. Our diverse panelists, drawn directly from the workforce, will shed light on the often overlooked struggles faced by those at the frontline of customer service. From navigating high-pressure situations to coping with job insecurities, they'll provide firsthand accounts of the toll that low wages and demanding workloads can take on mental well-being.

Panel Presentation hosted by HSAA

Description to be provided shortly.

Embrace Neurodiversity: Cultivate a Thriving Environment for Neurodivergent Employees

In this inspiring and engaging workshop, Fia-Lynn Crandall, an autistic “ADHDer” herself, guides you through seeing the workplace through a neurodivergent lens. Aspects of a typical workplace often require neurodivergent team members to work against their nature, often at a significant cost to mental health.

Neurodivergent individuals often bring traits that contribute greatly to innovation and navigating complex change, and are an important asset for any organization to navigate the changing world we are in today.

With approximately 20% of the population being neurodivergent and an unemployment rate as high as seven times the general population, prioritizing mental health and cultivating a workplace environment where neurodivergent individuals can thrive is now more important than ever.

Deepen your understanding of neurodiversity and be inspired to think outside of the box to support the well-being and contribution of neurodivergent team members in this engaging workshop.

C1: Suicide Prevention in the Workplace

This breakout session will address the vital topic of suicide prevention in the workplace. With expert insights and real-world experiences, explore proactive strategies, destigmatization efforts, and support systems crucial for fostering mental health and preventing crises. Hear from industriy leaders who have integrated suicide prevention initiatives in Alberta.

C2: Unseen Wounds: Understanding and Addressing First Responders' Mental Health Challenges

This powerful panel session focuses on the mental health challenges encountered by first responders. With candid narratives from the frontline, our panelists share their experiences, coping mechanisms, and insights into navigating the unique stressors of their profession. Join them as they explore strategies for supporting and safeguarding the mental well-being of those who dedicate their lives to protecting others.

C3: From Evidence to Action: Psychological hazard prevention

Come learn about actions the Government of Alberta is taking to improve mental health in Alberta workplaces and apply concepts in an interactive exercise.

The Occupational Health and Safety Prevention Initiative aims to coordinate efforts between employers, workers, government and health and safety professionals to reduce common workplace injuries, including psychological injury, that may result from exposure to psychosocial hazards.

Through frequent, country wide evidence scans we identified the learning collaborative approach as an innovative and effective means to address workplace psychosocial hazards. As part of our presentation, participants will practice applying the learning collaborative approach in a mock realistic workplace scenario to see how this evidence-based approach could address psychosocial hazards in their workplace.

Participants will also learn how the Innovation and Engagement, OHS Futures, and Supporting Psychological Health in First Responders grant programs have supported workplaces across Alberta, and about future funding opportunities.

C4: Reclaiming Harmony: Indigenous Approaches to Workplace Mental Health

Description to be provided shortly.

D1: The Masks That We Wear: Confessions of a Human Employee

“The Masks That We Wear” is an immersive and interactive visual presentation that reveals how the invisible challenges and experiences we face as human beings intersect with our workplace personas and personal lives. As told through the lens and lived experiences of an Alberta tradesperson, facilitator Kris Marks reveals the invisible challenges he personally faced during his 14-year tenure as a journeyman machinist living with mental illness.

Attendees will be granted access to the personal and professional life of an Alberta oil and gas worker and will be invited to share their perspectives as they evolve throughout the presentation. As the intersection of our collective roles as employees, coworkers, partners, family members, and friends is revealed, learning objectives will culminate in a display of innovative solutions related to resiliency, relationship building, personal growth, navigating mental health challenges, overcoming communication barriers, and personal health.

D2: Innovative Approaches: Transforming Workplaces through Psychological Health & Safety Implementation

Unlock the secrets to fostering psychologically healthy and safe workplaces with our panel of forward-thinking organizations. Join us as we showcase real-world success stories of organizations aligning with the National Standard for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace. Learn from industry leaders who are pioneering innovative strategies to prioritize employee well-being, enhance productivity, and cultivate positive organizational cultures. Gain practical insights, best practices, and actionable takeaways to propel your organization towards a brighter, more resilient future. Let this panel be your guide in conquering the process and making Psychological Health and Safety more manageable and achievable for your organization.

D3: Psychological Injuries in the Framework of WCB Disability Management

Psychological injuries present complex challenges and are often overshadowed by physical injuries within the framework of occupational disability management programs. Even though they are rarely a focus of an employer’s disability management program, psychological injuries are equally impactful on the individual’s well-being and the employer’s performance metrics. Our presentation will offer insight into integrating psychological injury management into disability management programs.

Components of effective psychological injury management within disability management will be discussed, including the importance of prevention, and the Worker’s Compensation claim impacts. Attendees will learn how to navigate the complexities of managing psychological injuries within the framework of occupational disability management, including considerations related to reporting, recovery, and stigma.

Case studies will enhance the presentation to illustrate successful approaches for integrating psychological injury management into occupational disability management programs. The presentation aims to empower organizations to create occupational disability management programs that prioritize the physical as well as mental health and well-being of all employees.
The Occupational Health and Safety Prevention Initiative aims to coordinate efforts between employers, workers, government and health and safety professionals to reduce common workplace injuries, including psychological injury, that may result from exposure to psychosocial hazards.

Through frequent, country wide evidence scans we identified the learning collaborative approach as an innovative and effective means to address workplace psychosocial hazards. As part of our presentation, participants will practice applying the learning collaborative approach in a mock realistic workplace scenario to see how this evidence-based approach could address psychosocial hazards in their workplace.

Participants will also learn how the Innovation and Engagement, OHS Futures, and Supporting Psychological Health in First Responders grant programs have supported workplaces across Alberta, and about future funding opportunities.

D4: There’s No Wellbeing Without Belonging: Break Down Barriers to Inclusivity

This groundbreaking workshop courageously addresses barriers to inclusivity and belonging in the workplace, recognizing their profound impact on the well-being of those in marginalized groups. Be inspired with a fresh new approach to inclusion efforts that prioritize well-being for everyone.

In a space of non-judgement, you’ll confront the the common, yet invisible barriers of guardedness and “fear of getting it wrong” that stop authentic engagement around inclusion efforts. Be inspired to champion inclusion efforts to improve the sense of belonging and therefore well-being of those in marginalized groups.

Discover an innovative approach that uses powerful frameworks that illuminate overlooked gaps and fuels inclusivity through genuine emotional connection. Hear stories of lived experience from a 2SLGBTQIA+, neurodivergent, trauma survivor that humanize the importance of belonging in the workplace. Resources will be made available after the workshop to measure engagement levels around inclusion and progress made going forward.