Media Advisory - National standard for psychological health and safety in Canadian workplaces to be released

TORONTO, Jan. 15, 2013 /CNW/ - In any given year, one in five people in Canada experiences a mental health problem or illness, with a cost to the economy estimated to be in excess of $50 billion annually. Mental health problems and illnesses are also rated one of the top three drivers of both short- and long-term disability, typically accounting for approximately 30 per cent of these claims in Canada.

To help Canadian workplaces address this, the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC), the Bureau de normalisation du Québec (BNQ) and CSA Group will release a voluntary Standard focused on helping organizations promote psychological health and safety and prevent psychological harm in their workplaces.

WHAT:			Press conference to release new voluntary standard for psychological health and safety in the workplace
WHO:			Hon. Lisa Raitt, Minister of Labour, Government of Canada
			David Goldbloom, MD, Chair, Mental Health Commission of Canada
			Louise Bradley, President and CEO, Mental Health Commission of Canada
			George Cope, President and CEO, BCE and Bell Canada
			Senior representative from the Canadian Chamber of Commerce
			Senior leadership from CSA Group and BNQ
WHEN:			Wednesday, January 16, 2013, at 9 a.m. ET
WHERE:			The MaRS Centre
			MaRS Discovery District
			MaRS Centre South Tower, Suite 100
			101 College Street
			Toronto, Ontario

The project was funded in part by the Government of Canada (through Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, Health Canada, and the Public Health Agency of Canada), and through a financial contribution from the Great-West Life Centre for Mental Health in the Workplace and Bell Canada.

About The Mental Health Commission of Canada
The Mental Health Commission of Canada is a catalyst for change. We are collaborating with hundreds of partners to change the attitudes of Canadians toward mental health problems and to improve services and support. Our goal is to help people who live with mental health problems and illnesses lead meaningful and productive lives. Together we spark change.
The Mental Health Commission of Canada is funded by Health Canada.
www.mentalhealthcommission.ca

About Bureau de normalisation du Québec
Reporting to the Centre de recherche industrielle du Québec (CRIQ), the Bureau de normalisation du Québec (BNQ) has acted as a central standardization and certification organization and disseminator of information on standards for over 50 years. Officially recognized by the Government of Québec, the Standards Council of Canada (SCC), the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the World Trade Organization (WTO), the BNQ takes the lead in developing measures to support business, manufacturing, social and regulatory areas of interest. For more information: www.bnq.qc.ca

About CSA Group
CSA Group is an independent, not-for-profit membership association dedicated to safety, social good and sustainability.  Its knowledge and expertise encompass standards development; training and advisory solutions; global testing and certification services across key business areas including hazardous locations and industrial, plumbing and construction, medical, safety and technology, appliances and gas, alternative energy, lighting and sustainability; as well as consumer product evaluation services.  The CSA certification mark appears on billions of products worldwide.   For more information about CSA Group visit www.csagroup.org  

The views represented herein solely represent the views of the Mental Health Commission of Canada.
Production of this document is made possible through a financial contribution from Health Canada.

SOURCE: Mental Health Commission of Canada

For further information:

Contact:

Kyle Marr, Senior Communication Specialist,
Mental Health Commission of Canada
Office: (403) 385‐4050
Cell: (587) 226‐8782
[e-mail]

Anthony Toderian
Manager, Corporate Affairs
CSA Group
Cell: (416)747‐2620
[e-mail]

Marie‐Claude Drouin
Business Development Coordinator
Bureau de normalisation du Québec
Cell: (418) 564‐7282
[e-mail]