Mental health and wellness resources

Mental health issues in the workplace are among the top concerns for organizations of all sizes.

According to the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC), one in five Canadians experience a mental health problem or illness each year. In B.C., WorkSafeBC reports that mental disorder claims are becoming the fastest growing type of claim at the agency: in 2018, the number of these claims from the general construction industry was up 20 per cent compared to 2016.

Prioritizing the mental health of employees benefits both the individual and the organization. Mentally healthy workplaces can improve recruitment and retention efforts, enhance productivity and increase the bottom line.


Mental health and COVID-19


VRCA’s Benefit Plan

VRCA’s Employee Benefit Plans are powered by the BCCA Employee Benefit Trust. To learn more about VRCA’s Employee Benefit Plans, please click here.


BC Construction Safety Alliance

BCCSA is a non-profit organization serving B.C.’s construction sector by promoting and developing workplace health and safety in compliance with WorkSafeBC’s regulations and guidelines. BCCSA’s mental health page offers links to mental health resources, courses and information about Bill 14 (changing WorkSafeBC coverage for mental disorders caused by work). Among the resources are:


Resources from VRCA members

Scott Construction


Canadian Mental Health Association

The Canadian Mental Health Association is a community mental health organization in Canada with branches in every province, including British Columbia. CHMA’s BC Division offers information and services related to and including:

CMHA’s Not Myself Today helps companies build mentally healthy workplaces.


Construction Industry Rehabilitation Plan

The Construction Industry Rehabilitation Plan is a non-profit, joint B.C. Building Trades and Construction Labour Relations Association sponsored alcohol and drug treatment program, providing mental health and addiction services to the B.C. and Yukon organized construction industry.


Overdose prevention and response in B.C.

The B.C. government has developed several online resources in response to the opioid crisis:


Mental Health Commission of Canada

The Mental Health Commission of Canada leads the development and dissemination of programs and tools to support the mental health and wellness of Canadians. This includes tools and information for individuals and employers.


Anxiety Canada

Anxiety Canada is a leader in developing free online, self-help, and evidence-based resources on anxiety.


BounceBack

BounceBack is a free skill-building program designed to help adults and youth 15+ manage low mood, mild to moderate depression, anxiety, stress or worry.


Find help now

Are you in crisis or an emergency?

If you are in an emergency, or feel that you or someone else is at risk of harm, please contact someone immediately:

  • Call 911 for help right away.Speak to your doctor, or go to your nearest hospital emergency room, walk-in clinic or community health centre. If your community has a mental health car, you can call 911 to request it.
  • Call 1-800-SUICIDE(1-800-784-2433). If you are thinking about ending your life or are concerned about someone who may be, you can call for help any time of day or night, from anywhere across B.C. It’s a free call.

Need someone to talk to right away?

If you are worried, confused or just need someone to talk to, there is help available:

  • Mental Health Support Line: Call 310-6789 (do not add 604, 778 or 250 before the number). This number will connect you to your local BC crisis line without a wait or busy signal, 24 hours a day. Crisis line workers are trained to help provide emotional support as well as mental health information and resources.
  • BC Bereavement Helpline: Call 604-738-9950 (Greater Vancouver) or email [email protected]