As an employer, the University of Windsor understands that workplaces play a key role in promoting and protecting the mental health of employees. The workplace can and should be a source of positivity as it provides individuals with a purpose, financial security, a sense of identity, and social connections, but the workplace also has the potential to be a source of stress that negatively impacts mental health and well-being.
The Employee Mental Health Strategy Steering Committee was established in the Fall of 2022 to lead the strategy development process. The Employee Mental Health Strategy for the University of Windsor provides a roadmap to promote mental health and well-being, minimize workplace risks to mental health, support employees throughout the mental health continuum, and build a psychologically healthy and safe workplace culture.
People are at the heart of our institution. The University of Windsor is committed to being a people-centred place to learn and work. This means putting the well-being of our people at the forefront of what we do. We strive to create a culture of equity, inclusion, belonging, and dignity, which provides an environment for all to flourish as we deliver on our academic mission. A healthy and safe work environment is fundamental to this.
- Dr. Clinton Beckford (he/him), Vice-President, People, Equity, & Inclusion, University of Windsor
The development of this strategy is one of the key actions emerging from the Employee Engagement Survey results and is a Foundational Commitment of the Aspire Together for Tomorrow Strategic Plan (2023-28).
Employee Mental Health Strategy at a Glance (.pdf) Employee Mental Health Strategy (.pdf launches October 24, 2023)
The Employee Mental Health Strategy Steering Committee was established in the Fall of 2022 to lead the strategy development process. The Committee then engaged the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) as an external subject-matter expert.
The following provides a high-level overview of the strategy development process:
1. Take stock of current situation
The development of the strategy was guided by the Campus Mental Health Purpose, Vision and Guiding Principles and grounded on the 13 psychosocial factors that are part of the National Standard of Canada for Psychological Health & Safety in the Workplace (Mental Health Commission of Canada in partnership with CSA and the Bureau de Normalisation du Quebec, 2013).
A comprehensive assessment tool comprised of key indicators associated with the 13 psychosocial factors was designed to take stock of our current situation through data gathered through the Employee Engagement Survey (2022), the Aspire Strategic Planning consultations as well as the review of policies and websites.
2. Identify gaps, needs, & opportunities
The information gathered through the assessment tool was reviewed to identify areas of strength, gaps, needs, and opportunities.
3. Formulate areas of priority & key actions
To address the opportunities for improvement emerging from the organizational assessment, an integrated approach to psychological health and safety was adopted by the Steering Committee. Five (5) areas of priority for the Employee Mental Health Strategy and a total of 22 key actions emerged from this process. Combined, these 5 priorities and associated actions will be impactful to promote mental health, minimize workplace risks to mental health, support employees throughout the mental health continuum and build a psychologically healthy and safe workplace culture.
The Vice-President, People, Equity, and Inclusion is accountable for the implementation of the strategy, and as a first step in that process, an accountability structure has been established to lead the implementation of the strategy.
An implementation plan and measurement framework will be established in Winter 2024 to turn the strategy into action and to measure success as we continue to build a safe and thriving workplace at the University of Windsor.
To this end, the Employee Mental Health Strategy Implementation Working Group was established in September 2023.