Workplace mental health
Last updated on October 6, 2026
Psychological Health and Safety in the BC Public Service
A psychologically healthy workplace is a respectful and productive environment that promotes health and well-being and makes every reasonable effort to protect employees from work-related psychological harm.
Leave plans are available to support employees through a number of life events. Paid sick leave is available for injury or illness. This includes being unable to work due to mental health concerns. Please reach out to your supervisor for more information and support.
On this page
- Organizational strategies
- Resources for people leaders
- Resources for employees
- Assessments, tools and workshops
Organizational strategies
There is no health without mental health. The BC Public Service prioritizes mental health in the workplace to enhance employee well-being, leading to a healthier, more productive, and successful organization. Discussing mental health in the workplace is vital for creating a supportive, connected, inclusive, and productive work environment.
Building a psychologically healthy and safe workplace
Psychosocial hazards at work are aspects of work and situations that may cause a stress response which in turn has the potential to lead to psychological or physical harm.
The BC Public Service is taking steps to adopt the National Standard for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace. This is a voluntary set of guidelines, tools and resources designed to help employers make every reasonable effort to protect employees from work-related psychological harm.
Shared responsibility: employers and employees
Psychological health and safety is a shared responsibility between employers and employees. Employers must implement policies and systems to identify and reduce psychosocial hazards and provide resources to support employee well-being. Employees are responsible for managing their health, reporting hazards, following standards of conduct, and seeking assistance when needed to maintain a healthy, safe and respectful work environment.
To learn more complete the 20-minute BC Public Service Orientation to Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace.
If you are in distress, you can call or text 9-8-8 at any time. If you believe there is an immediate threat to the life of anyone in your workplace, call 9-1-1, then contact the BC Public Service Agency 24-hour emergency safety line (IDIR restricted).
Psychological health & safety at WorkSafeBC
WorkSafeBC recognizes that psychological health and safety in the workplace is as crucial as physical safety. This concept encompasses daily interactions, working conditions, and management practices.
For more details, visit Psychological health & safety at WorkSafeBC
Resources for people leaders
The following workshops are now available for registration via the Learning Centre:
- Managing Mental Health in the Workplace (Restricted to People Leaders)
- Stress Management for Leaders (Restricted to People Leaders)
You also have access to the People Leader Advice line through Employee and Family Assistance Services:
Psychosocial hazards assessment toolkit
This self-directed toolkit is designed for people leaders, HR professionals, and health and safety specialists to assess psychosocial hazards in the workplace. It provides a structured approach to identifying, assessing, and managing hazards that may impact employees' mental and physical health. This assessment can be completed by anyone in a supervisory or managerial role. It's a proactive tool to help maintain a supportive and productive workplace.
Guide to setting clear expectations in hiring and onboarding
Hiring and onboarding are key opportunities to set realistic expectations about a role. Setting Clear Expectations: Psychosocial Demands in Hiring and Onboarding (PDF, 227KB) (IDIR restricted) provides hiring managers and HR professionals with practical tips, checklists and examples on how to include psychosocial demands in job postings, job profiles, interviews, and onboarding.
Resources for employees
The Mental Health Continuum is a model for evaluating the relationship between mental health and well-being in three major categories:
- Good mental health
- Declining/poor mental health
- Possible diagnosable mental illness or disorder
This 14-minute video introduces the Mental Health Continuum and walks you through its use in the workplace and as part of your mental health self-check process.
- Mental health continuum self-check (IDIR restricted)
- Supportive conversations handout (IDIR restricted)
- Employee and Family Assistance Services – counselling and lifestyle management services
- Workplace Health and Safety Learning Resource Page for All Employees (IDIR restricted)
- LifeSpeak learning library
- Mental Health and Substance Use supports across B.C. Helpstartshere.gov.bc.ca
Assessments, tools and workshops
- Workplace Strategies for Mental Health
- Setting Clear Expectations: Psychosocial Demands in Hiring and Onboarding (PDF, 227KB) (IDIR restricted)
- Early intervention and return to work program – for employees
- Early intervention and return to work program – for supervisors
- BC Public Service Orientation to Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace