In 2018, Durham Mental Health Services has provided five Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) workshops to over 130 staff at Casino Rama in Orillia.

MHFA is a two day course, sponsored by the Mental Health Commission of Canada. The course aims to improve mental health literacy and provide the skills and knowledge to help people better manage potential or developing mental health problems in themselves, a family member, a friend or a colleague.

“This training helped our leadership acquire the knowledge and skills to tell whether they are dealing with an employee with a difficulty as opposed to a ‘difficult employee,’” says Sparrow Rose, Casino Rama’s Director of Human Resources. “It reinforces that we may need to help employees by connecting them to resources, going beyond traditional performance management.” Sparrow states “I would absolutely recommend this training to any organization. From an HR perspective, it’s important to have that so you are better equipped to deal with complex employee issues.”

For more information on MHFA or to book a workshop for your organization, please contact DMHS Peer Support Manager Aubrey Andrus at aandrus@dmhs.ca.