This article from an old newsletter of ours talks about the use of self-help/mutual aid referrals by workplace health promotion programs...
Workplace Health Promotion Includes Self-Help
Canadian corporations such as Warren Shepell Consultants and the Ontario Power Ge neration encourage employees to donate to non-profit organizations such as the United Way and local
community centres. They also understand the benefits of a healthy worker and one way to ensure this is through the
integration of self-help/mutual aid referrals to the workplace.
"Studies show that organizations that invest in promoting the health of their staff enjoy increased productivity and
reduced costs," says Jane Hutt, Health and Social Services Minister of the UK. However, due to recent cutbacks, health
promotion within the workplace is lagging.
Integrating self-help referrals within workplace health centres can be a favorable and cost efficient way to
increase the quality of employees' health conditions. Mary Fenessey, Health Assistant for the Atomic Energy of
Canada Limited, says that despite their strict budget, they still manage to order the Self-Help Resource Centre Directory for self-help referrals. The Canadian Union of Postal workers have a network of social stewards (union employees) that are trained as councillors for referrals. Both companies keep a referral list which includes self-help/mutual aid options to better assist employees.
These companies are integrating selfhelp/mutual aid referrals because of the unique quality that self-help groups
possess. Self-help/mutual aid groups, in contrast to ones that are professionally led, offer more practical support and
information exchange. "With self-help groups you're dealing with people who have 'been there, done that', so people
learn from personal experiences," says Joanne Ryan, an occupational health nurse from the Ontario Power Generation.
For more information on integrating self-help referrals into workplace health promotion programs, contact the Ontario
Self-Help Network at (416) 487-355 or [log in to unmask]
Link to downloadable file or full document: not applicable
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About this resource
Format: article
Topic: health promotion
Related resources: OSHNET Fall Newsletter
Source : By Karen Rigg, SHRC.
For more information about the SHRC copyright, click here.
Gillian Kranias
Coordinator,
Ontario Self-Help Network Program
Self-Help Resource Centre
40 Orchard View Blvd., Suite 219
Toronto, ON M4R 1B9
Tel: (416) 487-4355
Toll-free: 1-888-283-8806
Fax: (416) 487-0344
Email: [log in to unmask]
Website: selfhelp.on.ca
----- Original Message -----
From: Farrell, Phillippa
Sent: Tuesday, February 22, 2005 1:48 AM
Subject: Re: Looking for research mental health promotion strategies for the workplace
Hi again Cari
You might be interested in the "Working Well Toolkit" developed by the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand. It's a practical guide to building mentally healthy workplaces and has been used in a wide range of workplace settings.
Contact: [log in to unmask] or www.workingwell.co.nz Leanne Luxford is the Project Manager: [log in to unmask]
Hope this helps!
Best regards
Phillippa
Phillippa Farrell
Regional Policy & Development Officer
Improving the Health & Wellbeing of Children & Adolescents Program
c/o RK CAMHS
PO Box 288 Rockingham WA 6968
Tel: 9528 0555 Fax: 9527 5365
-----Original Message-----
From: Health Promotion on the Internet [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On
Behalf Of Cari Patterson
Sent: 21 February, 2005 21:24
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [CLICK4HP] Looking for research mental health promotion
strategies for the workplace
Hello again - I have another request and would appreciate people passing ideas along.
I'm looking for research/information on evidence-based practices regarding successful mental health promotion strategies for the workplace.
I'm also interested in what mental health issues are costing the workplace, and what mental health promotion strategies are being used to address these issues. Does anyone have any good data sources with indicators/costs to work places/ cost savings of mental health promotion or any indicators workplaces are tracking to assess mental health risk factors?
Many thanks again,
Cari Patterson
Have you heard about our winter workshop series? We're offering sessions on community capacity building, measuring community capacity, community development, community health planning, using research information in planning for community health, and program evaluation. You can register for the workshops separately, or for the whole series. If you're interested, check our website for more information: http://www.horizonscda.ca/events.html
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To unsubscribe send one line: unsubscribe click4hp to: [log in to unmask] . To view archives or modify subscription see: http://listserv.yorku.ca/archives/click4hp.html
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