There is a new program in place at the Hanover and District Hospital aimed at supporting the mental health of employees.
Mental Health Champions have been created in the Hanover and District Hospital to promote mental health and wellness in the workplace.
This new initiative says Spokesperson Cheryl Speer involves a trained team of Mental Health Champions who will provide knowledge, skills and resources to promote early intervention and support for the mental health of staff, physicians and volunteers.
Speer notes that health care is a high stress environment and says it is important to ensure that staff are looked after as well as patients.
The Mental Health Champions will offer and provide resources to colleagues who exhibit signs of mental health distress or request assistance.
The Mental Health Champions will also plan and organize events, activities and provide education resources to staff, physicians and volunteers.
Speer who is a Mental Health Champion is pleased employees will benefit from this program.
Mental Health Champions will participate in debriefs after a traumatic event as requested.
They will also meet monthly to review, evaluate and update the program to ensure necessary resources are implemented.
All support is confidential.
The Mental Health Champions are a subcommittee of the Joint Health and Safety Committee.