As the leading cause of short and long term disability in Canadian workplaces, psychological health and safety impacts in Canada are substantial.

However, in 2012 Canadian employers will have increased support for improving the psychological health and safety of their employees with the development of a National Standard of Canada for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace. All Canadians are welcome to participate in a 60-day public consultation that began November 1, 2011.

Once completed, the voluntary national standard will provide organizations with the tools to achieve measurable improvement in psychological health and safety for Canadian employees.

Championed by The Mental Health Commission of Canada, this standard is being developed collaboratively by the Bureau de normalisation du Québec (BNQ) and the Canadian Standards Association (CSA). The funding for this project has been provided by Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC), Health Canada, the Public Health Agency of Canada and Bell.

The completed voluntary National Standard of Canada for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace is scheduled to be released in the second half of 2012.

To participate in the public consultation and submit comments on the draft standard, please visit:
The Bureau de normalisation du Québec
Canadian Standards Association 

More information about the National Standard of Canada for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace launch.

Watch the Honourable Michael Kirby speak on workplace mental health.

Join the conversation on Twitter #workplaceMH.