For this reason and many more, University of Manitoba employees can now benefit from culturally sensitive counselling services through a new Employee & Family Assistance Program (EFAP) Kii by CloudMD. Kii offers mental health supports for the BIPOC and 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, along with Elder and Knowledge Keeper supports for Indigenous employees.

“As a community committed to equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility, the University of Manitoba recognizes the impacts these lived experiences can have on our employees’ mental health and well-being,” said Rene Ouellette, Associate Vice-President (Human Resources). “We’re proud to enhance this commitment and offer UM employees mental health supports that suit their individual needs and identities.”

Employees can look forward to working with counsellors and therapists from diverse backgrounds who have experience working with BIPOC or 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals or have lived experiences as members of these communities.

Elder and Knowledge keeper supports for First Nations, Métis and Inuit employees involves a specific intake process that first pursues the client’s requested Elder/Knowledge Keeper. If you don’t have a specific Elder/Knowledge Keeper in mind, the intake nurse care coordinator at Kii will attempt to connect you with a counsellor who has lived experience or therapeutic experience working with Indigenous Peoples.

UM employees who have questions about the intake process or the services Kii provides can call Kii at 1-866-814-0018 or log into the Kii online portal.

These changes mean new and improved mental health services for employees, including extended coverage for everyone in their immediate family or household.

“We are excited to continue the recent enhancements made to employee benefits at UM and to be able to provide even more mental health resources to the UM community and its families,” said Jamie Gerlach, Director, Total Compensation and HR Systems.

Here are some highlights of the additional services employees will have access to starting May 1:

• Culturally sensitive counselling, with counsellors experienced in numerous issues affecting the BIPOC and LGBTQ2S+ communities
• Up to 14 counselling sessions per year (up from six)
• Elder and Knowledge Keeper Indigenous mental health supports
• Therapist-led internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy
• Enhanced family coverage

All UM employees, whether supplemental health plan members or not, will be able to register for Kii services on May 1 using our organization access code, which will be shared via email. Until then, employees can continue to use their TELUS Health One EFAP benefits. If an employee contacts TELUS Health One on or up to April 30, they will continue to work with a TELUS Health One counsellor until their issue is resolved or session cease.

Benefits information session webinar

Ahead of these new changes, the Benefits Teams will host an info session on April 24 at 2 p.m. via Teams, where they will discuss the EFAP changes and the recent enhancements to the supplemental health plan enhancements.

This session is open to UM employees only. Please check your email for the registration link.

Webinar recording

If you cannot attend the info session, a recording will be made available shortly after the webinar for all who register (you’ll receive an email). For those not wishing to register, a link to the recording will be provided in an email announcing the launch of the new EFAP on May 1.

Also keep an eye on UM Today for a forthcoming story all about the new Indigenous mental health supports available through Kii.

Francene Perehinec, UM Family Resources Coordinator, explained that the program was introduced to address a barrier that parent-professionals often face when attending conferences and away-from-home events.  Offering childcare during events will better accommodate faculty and staff with young children who might otherwise be unable to attend.

The first unit to require this service was the Department of Physics and Astronomy.  From July 4-7^th, they hosted the Women in Physics Canada 2023 conference at the Fort Garry campus.   The conference brought together approximately 150 people from across and outside of Canada to build networks, explore career paths, present emerging research in Physics, Astronomy and related fields, as well as discuss issues that impact women and other under-represented groups in physics. The conference program featured keynote speaker Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell, the discoverer of pulsars and a champion of EDI, and included workshops on artificial intelligence, astrostatistics, EDI, careers and mentorship, as well as several networking opportunities.

Samar Safi-Harb (UM), keynote speaker Jocelyn Bell Burnell, Brenda Matthews (National Research Council Canada)

Dr. Samar Safi-Harb, conference organizer, professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy and Canada Research Chair in Extreme Astrophysics, says, “We were so pleased to be able to offer childcare, and for the first time at a conference held at UM, for attendees of the Women in Physics Canada 2023 conference. We hope that this helps set the path for more inclusion of working parents in future UM conferences.  The parents who brought their children to our conference were incredibly grateful for this opportunity.”

Dr. Harsha Blumer, a conference panelist and parent whose child attended the childminding program, says, “I am very impressed and happy with the service received from Francene and her team. My son looked forward to attending the program everyday, and enjoyed the stimulating activities and educational play. I truly appreciate these progressive initiatives that not only recognize the importance of gender equality and inclusivity but also support our professional aspirations without childcare concerns.”

How the program works

The interested department/unit contacts the Family Resource Coordinator to state their interest in the program. The Family Resource Coordinator gathers the information about the event and organizes the childminding arrangements.

The department/unit communicates the available service to prospective attendees and includes it in their conference registration process.  The department/unit covers the cost for the service, which may include the hourly wages of the childcare worker(s), rental of the space being used, equipment (toys, supplies) and meals for the children attending.

The Family Resource Coordinator liaises with the conference organizers to ensure accurate numbers and meet any individualized needs that arise.

This new program is available to all UM faculties/units looking to host an event at the Fort Garry campus.  If you are interested in learning more about this program, please contact: FamilyResource@umanitoba.ca

If you are a student interested in becoming a childminder, please contact: FamilyResource@umanitoba.ca

Visit the Family Resources webpage here

This year’s theme will amplify voices and spaces  across Canada.

Find stories and resources at Canadian Mental Health Association website — and take the opportunity to share your story of support, thanks or hope from your own mental health journey and help others find connection and community. Connect on social media with the hashtags #MyStory and #MentalHealthWeek.

Quick read: Learn more about how to look after your mental health.

Free Microsite: Calming financial anxiety

Financial well-being causes high stress among 75% of employees. For Mental Health Week, Lifeworks is launching these free microsite, Calming financial anxiety for your mental wellness. Available in Canada (English) and  Canada (French).

If you are looking for activities that are simple to organize and have a positive impact on the financial health of your workforce, take a look at Lifeworks’ list of financial health programs, designed for employees and people leaders. Our financial training courses are integral to building a mentally healthy workplace. 

Additional resources

Looking for mental health resources as an employee, a manager or leader? www.workplacestrategiesformentalhealth.com has articles, videos, assessments, tools and ready-made workshops for everyone!

Or check out these must-read mental health blogs for 2023. Discover the voices of lived experience and get access to resources, information, tips, and tools to support your mental health. Curated by the Mental Health Commission of Canada.

Four ways to boost mental health

The Active Living Center’s certified trainer Adam Toffan (MSc and CSEP) shares four ways to boost your mental health. He goes into detail on the positive mental health effects of exercise, gut health, nutrition and a night of good-quality sleep. 

“People find new and creative ways to build community and mental wellness, which is really exciting to see!” says Stewart.

As part of UM’s commitment to promoting and supporting the mental health and well-being among our faculty, staff and students, the WMHG program offer grants of up to $1,500 are available to students, staff and faculty from all campuses.

All can apply for a grant to fund a new event, project, initiative or program that will improve the mental health and well-being of the UM community during the 2023-2024 academic year.

Application deadline extended to Mar. 7

Applicants are encouraged to come up with an idea that will engage the UM community to foster positive mental health and well-being, and create a supportive, responsive and inclusive learning and work environment.

Prioritizing our wellness, inspiring our community

“The last few years have brought an unprecedented level of change, challenge and opportunity, highlighting the need to prioritize our wellness — and we know well-being impacts employee experience and it is therefore a significant priority for the University of Manitoba,” says Carrie Homeniuk, director, HR client services.

Learn about previously funded projects at the UM Wellness and Mental Health webpage

For inspiration, check out some previously funded projects, including: the Music and Wellness speaker series; Brain Food Dinners; STEAM wellness programming in the Faculty of Science; the Desautel Faculty of Music Restorative Space; and the Encouraging Connections One Conversation at a Time project (pictured at top).

Deadline extended! To Mar. 7. Grant recipients will be announced in the spring. 

Visit the Wellness and Mental Health webpage for information on submitting your proposal and to learn more about previous wellness and mental health-related projects.  If you’re interested in sharing your feedback, or being a part of the next phase of the U of M’s mental health strategy, email mental.health@umanitoba.ca

Your participation will help us to learn more about faculty and staff experiences at the UM with respect to well-being. Survey data and feedback will inform the development and improvement of UM health and wellness programs and services; and will assist to evaluate progress in promoting the health and well-being of our staff and faculty.

The survey takes 15-20 minutes to complete. Please note that a link to the survey is being sent from Employee.Wellbeing.Survey [at] umanitoba.ca to each UM employee on Wednesday, Feb. 1.

Participation is entirely voluntary and strictly confidential. Responses are not linked to any records or personal information at UM. Results of this survey will be provided to UM at a group level; no individual responses will be reported.

UM participated two previous years in the student version of this survey, in spring 2022 and spring 2021, and will participate again in 2023.

If you have any questions about this survey or about wellness and mental health at UM, email mental.health@umanitoba.ca

More about the Canadian Campus Well-being Survey (CCWS)

The Canadian Campus Wellbeing (CCWS) is a national, comprehensive, voluntary and strictly confidential survey coordinated by the University of British Columbia that assesses the health and well-being status of students, staff and faculty in the post-secondary sector.

Used by many Canadian post-secondary institutions, the survey asks questions relating to mental health, risk and protective factors, sleep, exercise and food security, workplace experience, and use of health services and resources — all questions from well-established surveys commonly used for Canadian populations.

As a Canadian health and wellbeing assessment tool for Canadian campuses, the CCWS is specifically designed to help Canadian post-secondary institutions better support whole campus health and well-being. Institutions can choose to take part in the CCWS for students, and/or the CCWS for employees.

Learn more about the Canadian Campus Wellbeing (CCWS).

Survey details and privacy 

• Consent: By completing this survey individuals are giving informed consent to the collection of the information in the Canadian Campus Wellbeing Survey.
• Confidentiality: All responses are confidential and de-identified (anonymized), which means they cannot be linked to individuals or individual email addresses.
• Data collection and results: De-identified data is combined with de-identified results from other Canadian institutions and stored in a data registry solely under the custodianship of the CCWS analysts and may only be accessed through case-level datasets prepared by CCWS analysts for approved researchers and third-parties for research purposes. Results of the survey are reported in statistically aggregated form only.
• Employee/professional record: No part of any responses to this survey will become part of any employee record, nor will it affect any employment in any way. Survey results are reported in statistically aggregated form only, and it is not possible for the University of Manitoba or CCWS to identify individual employees.
• Personal information: Personal information is collected under the authority of section 26(c) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act for the sole purpose of this survey. Questions can be directed to the CCWS at survey@ccws-becc.ca.
• Survey administration: The CCWS is administered via the UBC Survey Tool, a cloud-based service provisioned by Qualtrics. It complies with the BC Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA) with data kept secure, stored and backed up on Canadian servers. Information collected via Survey Tool is kept secure using measures including data encryption.
• Research ethics: This survey has been approved by the Research Ethics Board at the University of Manitoba, Fort Garry Campus. The University of Manitoba has the right to audit records, and research procedures are subject to auditing by the Office of Research Ethics and Compliance.
• Research ethics concerns: Concerns or complaints about this project may be directed to the Human Ethics Coordinator at 204-474-7122, or by e-mail at humanethics@umanitoba.ca.
• Research participant concerns: For concerns or complaints about your rights as a research participant and/or your experiences while participating in this study, contact Arlana Vadnais, Campus Mental Health Facilitator, at 204-474-8323, or by e-mail at arlana.vadnais@umanitoba.ca or contact the Human Ethics Coordinator at 204-474-7122, or by e-mail at humanethics@umanitoba.ca
• General contact/concerns: Arlana Vadnais, Campus Mental Health Facilitator, at 204-474-8323, or by e-mail at arlana.vadnais@umanitoba.ca

Many of us are feeling a lot as we transition back to in-person work, as the number of people on campus increases and the provincial restrictions are loosened.

“There can be such a mix of feelings – uncertainty, stress, worry, excitement, relief and more,” says Arlana Vadnais, Employee Wellness Specialist and Mental Health Facilitator.

“These are all very normal responses during times of transition, and is added to the concern we may feel as we watch current world events unfold.”

It is important to check in with ourselves and with those around us in regard to mental health. Take time to focus on things that help us maintain our well-being, and access supports and resources if our usual coping strategies don’t seem to be enough.

A list of health and wellness resources for faculty and staff:

Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP)

Employees and their immediate family members have access to free and confidential services, including personal, group and crisis counselling, tools to manage stress and a variety of wellness resources.

For immediate confidential assistance for any concern and to manage your services, please visit the Morneau Shepell website (www.workhealthlife.com) or call their toll-free telephone number 24/7/365. 

English         1-800-387-4765
French          1-800-361-5676

Wellness Together Canada

In response to the unprecedented rise in mental health distress due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government of Canada has introduced Wellness Together Canada (WTC), an online, confidential wellness service to support Canadians on their mental health and wellness journey

Based on a Stepped Care model that provides support at different levels or steps, WTC allows individuals to make decisions about the care they require and choose from a multitude of 24/7 services, such as immediate crisis support, self-assessment tools, educational resources, peer-to-peer support and counselling support by phone, text or live chat.

BeingWell

UM’s BeingWell portal offers a wealth of resources to navigate your path to wellbeing. Explore topics such as mental health, financial literacy, sleep improvement, nutrition, physical activity and more.

The Klinic Crisis Line

The Klinic Crisis Program operates a variety of crisis phone lines and online support services, providing free and confidential counselling, support and referrals for people who are suicidal, in crisis or struggling to cope. The Klinic Crisis Line is free and available 24/7 at 204-786-8686 or 1-888-322-3019.

Sexual violence supports

The Sexual Violence Resource Centre provides support, resources, information and referral services for any student, faculty or staff member who has been affected by sexual violence. Call 204-474-6562 or email svrc@umanitoba.ca.

For immediate, 24/7 sexual assault crisis support, the Klinic Sexual Assault Crisis line is available at 204-786-8631 or 1-888-292-7565.

Academics At Risk Program

Did you know the university has a dedicated professional to provide advice and consultation for faculty members about mental health and well-being? Contact Harold Wallbridge, Director, Psychological Service Centre, 204-474-9069 or harold.wallbridge@umanitoba.ca.

Additional crisis supports

Visit the UM Intranet crisis and supports page to find more resources and options available to employees in times of crisis or distress.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Learning and Organizational Development (LOD)

Among the many learning opportunities this spring, LOD is offering workshops on conflict, crucial conversations, emotional and social intelligence and building cultural capacity.

Recreation Services

Recreation Services will help you stay active and keep moving, which is beneficial for your physical and mental health. A diverse catalogue of programs and services are being offered in-person at the Fort Garry and Bannatyne campuses. You can also checkout some useful tips and online options on their virtual health and fitness page.

Want to learn more about the UM’s commitment to mental health and well-being?

Success through Wellness: The University of Manitoba’s Campus Mental Health Strategy was
launched in 2014. It supports and promotes mental health and well-being and encompasses students, staff and faculty in fulfillment of the UM’s strategic priority of providing an outstanding working and learning environment and promoting the wellbeing of all our community members. Success Through Wellness focuses on building a community that is committed, caring, healthy, responsive, supportive and resourceful. It includes 67 recommendations that fall under six goal areas.

If you are a manager who is concerned about an employee, you can connect with your HR Consultant or Employee Wellness for guidance and resources.

If you have questions about sick leave benefits or if you are in need of accommodation related to a medical condition, Employee Wellness can provide information and wellness resources.

For general feedback and inquiries, contact hrfeedback@umanitoba.ca.

“The pandemic has presented challenges for many of us,” notes UM employee wellness specialist and campus mental health facilitator, Arlana Vadnais.

“Dealing with isolation due to pandemic restrictions and social distancing, as well as the virtual workplace for many of us, it is more important than ever to take care of ourselves. And that includes reaching out for support when we are struggling,” she says.

Wellness Together Canada is described as an innovative new joint venture between leading Canadian mental health providers Kids Help Phone, Stepped Care Solutions and Homewood Health, and supported by Toronto-based leader in mental healthcare technology Greenspace Health, to offer a full range of mental health support to people of all ages in every part of Canada.

Based on a Stepped Care model that provides support at different levels or steps, WTC allows individuals to make decisions about the care they require and choose from a multitude of 24/7 services, such as immediate crisis support, self-assessment tools, educational resources, peer-to-peer support and counselling support by phone, text or live chat.

According to psychologist Dr. Peter Cornish, who developed the Stepped Care model, it “aims to empower people to access the support they need at the moment they need it—whether that’s simply an article that helps them to better understand what they’re experiencing or a direct line to a trained counsellor in a moment of crisis.”

WTC services include:

• Immediate crisis support
• Print and video information on mental health issues
• Mental health self-assessment and monitoring
• Access to self-directed virtual programs
• Moderated community of support
• Virtual group coached anxiety group
• E-courses, including drop-in mindfulness class
• Access to counselling support by phone or text

“WTC really has something for everyone, from self-guided courses and apps to coaching to one-on-one counselling,” says Vadnais.

“It’s another resource to add to your wellness toolkit, along with the wide range of wellness resources offered by UM.” 

UM offers free wellness resources to faculty and staff. If you are in need of immediate and confidential support, reach out to your EFAP service at: 1-800-387-4765 (English) or 1-800-361-5676 (French).

There are a variety of mental health supports available to students. Students can contact student support for wellness resources, counselling and spiritual services.