Ottawa, ON – October 4, 2022 – CALTC is pleased to be delivering a program to address the mental health and well-being concerns of long-term care staff who have been on the frontlines of battling the COVID-19 pandemic for the last three years.
“We are pleased to be receiving support from the Public Health Agency of Canada to support directly to staff in homes across the country. This project will directly impact staff and their ability to cope, which is so vitally important as we move beyond the pandemic,” said Jodi Hall, CEO of the Canadian Association for Long Term Care.
The Public Health Agency of Canada has committed $1.2 million to the project, which will adapt the Mental Health Commission of Canada’s Working Minds program to specifically support staff in long-term care homes and increase their resiliency skills and mental health and wellbeing.
“Many employees experienced significant stress and need support to recover and build resiliency for the future,” said Bob Breen, Chairperson of the CALTC Board. “This grant will set the foundation for staff resiliency as we work to improve senior care in Canada.”
Long-term care homes were disproportionately affected by COVID-19. As a response to this, building up the workforce and supporting their mental health is vital to supporting the sector. With many positions vacant long-term care, supporting staff and increasing resiliency is critical.
“Canada’s long term care workers have done such tremendous work and sacrificed so much to keep older people healthy and safe throughout the pandemic. With the funding announced today, we are working to support frontline workers most at risk of PTSD and investing in their healing process. To all frontline long term care workers – Thank you all for your continued dedication and unwavering commitment during these very difficult times. We appreciate all that you do,” said The Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, and Associate Minister of Health.
All people in Canada, and particularly, those working on the frontlines in health care, need access to critical health and mental health resources and services. This project is a launching point to address the mental health needs in long-term care homes for staff.
