News & Resources
The latest Thompson Okanagan tourism industry news from TOTA, tourism businesses, and communities.
Workplace C.A.R.E Certificate
This free training from the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) BC Division informs participants on how to create and foster a psychologically healthy & safe workplace. C.A.R.E. is an acronym that means Caring and Respectful Employer.
This free training from the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) BC Division informs participants on how to create and foster a psychologically healthy & safe workplace. C.A.R.E. is an acronym that means Caring and Respectful Employer.
go2HR / CMHA Free Workplace Learning Coaches Now Available
go2HR’s new Workplace Learning Coaches are ready to engage with employers and available at no cost.
The coaches act as mental wellness “concierges” who offer personalized, one-on-one support addressing stress, burnout, isolation, uncertainty about the future, and other concerns.
The coaches also work with supervisors and employers to establish a foundation of psychological safety in the workplace and create an environment that enhances connection, productivity and retention.
Funded by a grant from the Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions, CMHA BC Division has rigorously trained the coaches.
go2HR’s new Workplace Learning Coaches are ready to engage with employers and available at no cost.
The coaches act as mental wellness “concierges” who offer personalized, one-on-one support addressing stress, burnout, isolation, uncertainty about the future, and other concerns.
The coaches also work with supervisors and employers to establish a foundation of psychological safety in the workplace and create an environment that enhances connection, productivity and retention.
Funded by a grant from the Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions, CMHA BC Division has rigorously trained the coaches.
go2HR and CMHA Launch Free Mental Health Skills Online Course
The Canadian Mental Health Association BC Chapter (CMHA BC) and go2HR have partnered on a new initiative to raise the awareness of mental health and wellness in the tourism and hospitality industry. As they continue prioritizing mental health and workplace wellness in 2022, go2HR encourages you to register for a new course in partnership with CMHA BC.
'Primary Concerns by Not 9 to 5' is a free online course that can help you maintain your mental health. It can also serve as a guide if you're holding space to care for another person experiencing an emotional or mental crisis.
Some of the things you'll learn:
Recognize the signs of mental health challenges and provide help to prevent or avoid crises Improve one's mental health
Support the creation of a psychologically safe workplace
The Canadian Mental Health Association BC Chapter (CMHA BC) and go2HR have partnered on a new initiative to raise the awareness of mental health and wellness in the tourism and hospitality industry. As they continue prioritizing mental health and workplace wellness in 2022, go2HR encourages you to register for a new course in partnership with CMHA BC.
'Primary Concerns by Not 9 to 5' is a free online course that can help you maintain your mental health. It can also serve as a guide if you're holding space to care for another person experiencing an emotional or mental crisis.
Some of the things you'll learn:
Recognize the signs of mental health challenges and provide help to prevent or avoid crises Improve one's mental health
Support the creation of a psychologically safe workplace
New Resources for Mental Health Awareness in the Workplace
The Canadian Mental Health Association BC Chapter (CMHA BC) and go2HR have partnered on a new initiative to raise the awareness of mental health and wellness in the tourism and hospitality industry.
The most recent Safety Talk introduces the topic of Mental Health Awareness in the Workplace, including videos and print outs on what it is, why it matters, risks to mental health at work, and tips for wellness.
The workplace can play an important part in promoting positive mental health and supporting people when they are going through a tough time.
The Canadian Mental Health Association BC Chapter (CMHA BC) and go2HR have partnered on a new initiative to raise the awareness of mental health and wellness in the tourism and hospitality industry.
The most recent Safety Talk introduces the topic of Mental Health Awareness in the Workplace, including videos and print outs on what it is, why it matters, risks to mental health at work, and tips for wellness.
Coping with Natural Disaster Stress
Smoke, evacuations, loss, worry—BC’s floods and wildfires affect us all. If you are feeling stressed or anxious, you are not alone. The Canadian Mental Health Association has outlined some helpful steps and resources.
Smoke, evacuations, loss, worry—BC’s floods and wildfires affect us all. If you are feeling stressed or anxious, you are not alone. The Canadian Mental Health Association has outlined some helpful steps and resources:
Prepare – Having a clear emergency plan and kit ready for your family, pets and livestock can ease your mind and allow you to focus on other needs.
Take care – Stress takes a toll on our physical and mental health. Eating well, exercising and getting enough sleep lowers stress and helps us cope.
Ask for help – Talking helps. Whether it’s with family, friends, a doctor or counsellor. Crisis lines are available to listen and help anytime—not just during a crisis. If you have been evacuated, you can also ask an Emergency Support Services volunteer about the mental health or counselling support available to you.
Help others – Reach out to the vulnerable. Assisting others can help us regain a sense of purpose and community as we confront challenges together.
Helpful Links and Resources
Preparing for wildfires
Get prepared for a wildfire in BC (Government of BC)
Health and mental health
Coping through a natural disaster emergency – mental health tips for you and your family
Recognizing and addressing trauma and anxiety during wildfire season (First Nations Health Authority)
Recognizing and resolving trauma in children during disasters (First Nations Health Authority)
Disaster emotional response timeline – what to expect before, during and after a disaster
Your health during a wildfire (Government of BC)
Wildfire smoke and health (BC Centre for Disease Control)
Guidebook for Well-being in Recovery (Red Cross)
Direct Help for Stress
Free, confidential support and crisis lines available 24/7:
KUU-US Indigenous line 1-800-588-8717
Interior BC Crisis Line 1-888-353-2273 – chat and text services available
Northern BC Crisis Line 1-888-562-1214
BC Mental Health Support Line 310-6789 (no area code required)Find virtual mental health supports available in BC
BounceBack – a free skill-building program for overcoming low mood, anxiety stress or worry
Information provided by the Canadian Mental Health Association in partnership with the Province of BC, First Nations Health Authority, Interior Health, Northern Health and Provincial Health Services Authority.
Managing Mental Health in a Changing Workplace
Our work environment has shifted over the past 19 months – whether new hours, new responsibilities or working remotely. Rather than letting the stress take over, you can control how you respond. Visit BC’s Hub for Workplace Mental Health to learn how to cope and prioritize your mental health.
Our work environment has shifted over the past 19 months – whether new hours, new responsibilities or working remotely. Rather than letting the stress take over, you can control how you respond. Visit BC’s Hub for Workplace Mental Health to learn how to cope and prioritize your mental health.
Features Resources:
Workplace Learning Coach: Psychological Health & Safety (Tourism & Hospitality) - go2HR
go2HR is seeking a Workplace Learning Coach: Psychological Health & Safety for the tourism and hospitality industry to join the go2HR team. This new position has been created in partnership between go2HR and the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) BC to help provide mental health support, resources and training specifically for tourism and hospitality employees across BC.
go2HR Is Hiring: Workplace Learning Coach - Psychological Health and Safety -go2HR (Vancouver/Kelowna)
go2HR is seeking a Workplace Learning Coach: Psychological Health & Safety for the tourism and hospitality industry to join the go2HR team. This new position has been created in partnership between go2HR and the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) BC to help provide mental health support, resources and training specifically for tourism and hospitality employees across BC.
Reporting to the VP Industry Health, Safety & Human Resources, this position will work directly with industry employers and workers across their assigned region/area and play a key role in helping promote mentally healthy workplaces by facilitating practical workplace training and guiding individuals to relevant mental health services and resources.
Webinar: Supporting Employee Mental Health During Difficult Times
When employees struggle to manage difficult guests or personal situations outside of work, it can negatively impact their mental health in the workplace. As a manager, responding to employee concerns in a crisis can be very challenging. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to support them.
In this webinar recording by go2HR and the Canadian Mental Health Association, hosted the BC Tourism Resiliency Network, learn how tourism business managers can support employees in difficult times.
This webinar includes practical information and resources on:
How to support employees when faced with difficult guest situations
How to respond when an employee approaches you in crisis
When to bring in additional help
The importance of offering choices to employees as they cope
When employees struggle to manage difficult guests or personal situations outside of work, it can negatively impact their mental health in the workplace. As a manager, responding to employee concerns in a crisis can be very challenging. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to support them.
Join the BC Tourism Resiliency Network, go2HR, and the Canadian Mental Health Association for a free 45 minute webinar about how tourism business managers can support employees in difficult times.
This webinar will include practical information and resources on:
How to support employees when faced with difficult guest situations
How to respond when an employee approaches you in crisis
When to bring in additional help
The importance of offering choices to employees as they cope
The webinar will conclude with 15 minutes for Q&A.
BC Resources for Coping With Disaster Stress
The Canadian Mental Health Association BC Division has compiled resources related to coping from stress from natural disasters, including helpful actions to take, emergency preparedness planning, health and mental health, and direct help.
The Canadian Mental Health Association BC Division has compiled resources related to coping from stress from natural disasters.
Helpful links and resources
Preparing for wildfires
Get prepared for a wildfire in BC (Government of BC)
Health and mental health
Coping through a natural disaster emergency – mental health tips for you and your family
Recognizing and addressing trauma and anxiety during wildfire season (First Nations Health Authority)
Recognizing and resolving trauma in children during disasters (First Nations Health Authority)
Disaster emotional response timeline – what to expect before, during and after a disaster
Your health during a wildfire (Government of BC)
Wildfire smoke and health (BC Centre for Disease Control)
Direct help for stress
Free, confidential support and crisis lines available 24/7:
KUU-US Indigenous line 1-800-588-8717
Interior BC Crisis Line 1-888-353-2273 – chat and text services available
Northern BC Crisis Line 1-888-562-1214
BC Mental Health Support Line 310-6789 (no area code required)BounceBack – a free skill-building program for overcoming low mood, anxiety stress or worry
Information provided by the Canadian Mental Health Association in partnership with the Province of BC, First Nations Health Authority, Interior Health, Northern Health and Provincial Health Services Authority.
TOTA, Canadian Mental Health Association Kelowna, and Thoughtfull Offer Mental Health Support to Businesses Through COVID-19 Pandemic
The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) signed a formal agreement with the Canadian Mental Health Association, Kelowna & District branch (CMHA Kelowna) and Thoughtfull Workplace Wellness Strategies. As an extension to TOTA's industry resiliency efforts, planned collaborative initiatives aim to mitigate the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental well-being of tourism business operators and workers.
Kelowna, BC (August 20, 2020) - The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) has signed a formal agreement with the Canadian Mental Health Association, Kelowna & District branch (CMHA Kelowna) and Thoughtfull Workplace Wellness Strategies. As an extension to TOTA's industry resiliency efforts, planned collaborative initiatives aim to mitigate the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental well-being of tourism business operators and workers.
"Mental health is an essential ingredient for resiliency. The COVID-19 Pandemic has been devastating in many ways, greatly affecting the people behind the numbers and figures," said Glenn Mandziuk, President and CEO of TOTA. "This formal agreement with CMHA Kelowna and Thoughtfull will help bridge gaps by supporting not only the tourism industry, but the communities it so greatly depends on."
CMHA Kelowna and Thoughtfull, a workplace consulting and training social enterprise run by CMHA Kelowna, represent a valuable resource for TOTA to relay knowledge and expertise in education, human resources, occupational health and safety, as well as crisis intervention to businesses in the tourism industry. Thoughtfull's workplace advisors will collaborate with TOTA to provide insights for campaigns and resources contributing to physical, mental, and financial resilience.
"Tourism is such an important industry for this region, but we know that many operators and their employees are facing high levels of stress due to significant challenges and a lot of unknowns. Financial resilience is just one piece of the puzzle. We also need to support the mental well-being of everyone in this sector," said Aaryn Secker, Manager of Learning & Development for CMHA Kelowna and Thoughtfull.
As part of this agreement, industry members of the Thompson Okanagan Resiliency Program will be able to access tailored workplace psychological health and safety training and advising through Thoughtfull at an exclusive reduced and subsidized rate by contacting their dedicated TOTA Program Advisor. In addition, CMHA will deliver programming through an ongoing webinar series with "Return to the Workplace: Considerations for Supporting Staff Mental Health" and "De-escalating Conflict".
For more information about the Thompson Okanagan Resiliency Program and to register visit TOTABC.org/Tourism-Resiliency.
Or register by phone: 1-877-431-8489 (ext 8).
If you are already part of the Tourism Resiliency Program, please contact your program advisor directly for more information on this program offering.
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About the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA):
The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association is a non-profit society, governed by an elected Board of Directors, which represents business and community tourism interests throughout the region, and is supported by the British Columbia Ministry of Tourism, Arts, & Culture. It is an industry-led organization that represents and supports all business and community tourism interests in the region, while also helping to implement provincial tourism policies. For more information, visit TOTABC.org.
About Canadian Mental Health Association Kelowna (CMHA Kelowna):
CMHA Kelowna is a registered non-profit charity serving the central Okanagan and part of a network of more than 80 Canadian Mental Health Association branches across the country. Each year they provide services and supports to more than 1.3 million Canadians through the combined efforts of more than 11,000 volunteers and staff in over 330 communities. CMHA Kelowna provides support through programs that promote positive mental health and support recovery, while championing the elimination of barriers that can prevent people from thriving. For more information, visit CMHAKelowna.org.
About Thoughtfull:
Thoughtfull is a workplace training and advising social enterprise of CMHA Kelowna. With the average working individual spending 90,000 hours or more of their life at work, CMHA Kelowna recognizes that they cannot achieve a mentally healthy community without addressing psychological health and safety at work. Thoughtfull is guided by Canada’s National Standard for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace. For more information, visit Thoughtfull.CMHAKelowna.com.
For more information, contact:
Ellen-Walker Matthews
Vice President, Stewardship
Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association