ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

The Mental Health Works program was launched in 2001 as a partnership research project involving the voluntary, government and business sectors. Programming and workshops were launched out of CMHA-ON in 2004. Over the following few years, the program expanded to be delivered in various Ontario CMHA offices and in British Columbia, Manitoba Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island.³⁵

As previously noted, CMHA-ON owns the brand and operates the business - Mental Health Works. The program staff of Mental Health Works are a separate unit within CMHA-ON reporting to the Chief Executive Officer. The Mental Health Works program staff developed all the program materials, training products and associated products. The revenue for the program is generated by licensing fees and royalties from affiliate delivery organizations, and any revenues generated directly by the CMHA-ON branch. Initially the workshops were only licensed to other CMHA branches, however it was found that his model was not financially sustainable due to lack of demand in some regions. In 2011 a new business model was approved which http://www.mentalhealthworks.ca/employers/workshops?tid=All.

33 CMHA-ON. 2012. Mental Health Works Price Guide 2012/13.

34 MHCC. 2012. National Mental Health Awards Application Form – Canadian Mental Health Association-Ontario, “Mental Health Works,” p. 4.

35 CMHA ON. 2007. Mental Health Works – Strategic Review, p. 8.

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proposed that “over time Mental Health Works will move from its current structure as a solely CMHA social enterprise into a more centralized public education and knowledge transfer program and Corporate Custom Solutions service.”³⁶ This opened the initiative to develop a broader partnership base and expand delivery.

Under the new model, Affiliates are licensed the delivery rights and use of the products developed by Mental Health Works. A royalty agreement and annual license fee is part of the agreement (i.e., annual licensing fee of

$5000 plus a 10% royalty for each workshop delivered).³⁷ The new model broadens the initiative’s traditional approach of sole reliance upon local CMHA branches and other provincial offices to broaden the service delivery reach by partnering with other service provider organizations such as employee assistance programs (EAPs). Mental Health Works continues to utilize both corporate and independent consultant service providers.

A key to this model is that Mental Health Works maintains a full train‐the‐trainer program as well as trainer monitoring and support system to ensure quality control over the delivery of the training.³⁸

The types of partners under the current Mental Health Partnership Strategy include:

 Marketing Partners: work collaboratively with Mental Health Works to bring awareness about the program and promote services (e.g., Great West Life Centre for Mental Health in the Workplace, Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety, and MHCC);

 Development Partners: work with Mental Health Works in creating new products and services to be delivered (e.g., Moods Disorders Association, Toronto Health Communication Unit of the University of Toronto, and other independent contractors);

 Service Delivery Affiliates: licensed the delivery rights and use of the products developed by Mental Health Works in exchange for a royalty and annual license fee (e.g., Employee Assistance Programs);

and

 Product Sponsorship Partners: corporate funding partners that help sponsor new development (e.g., Great West Life Assurance, in the development of the “Working Through It” product and a 1 year long cross Canada free delivery of “Issues and Solutions” to Canadian Chamber of Commerce chapters and other local trade associations).³⁹

As shown in the figure below, Mental Health Works is administered through a combination of centralized support within CMHA-ON (only 2 FTEs total) and an extensive network of contractors and advisors, particularly with respect to content development and service delivery. Also, volunteers provide additional support (e.g., preparing a monthly e‐newsletter, blog, and research resources, etc.).

36 CMHA-ON. 2012. Mental Health Works Business Model, pp. 1-2.

37 CMHA-ON. 2012. Mental Health Works License Agreement, p. 10.

38 CMHA-ON. 2012. Mental Health Works Business Model, pp. 1-2.

39 Ibid, p. 11.

FERENCE WEICKER & COMPANY Mental Health Works HR Model – 2012/13⁴⁰

40 CMHA-ON. 2012. Mental Health Works HR Model – 2012/13.

MHW National Program Manager Kathy Jurgens (1 FTE)

CMHA Program Support Team (Combined 1 FTE)

Service Delivery Team (Contracts) Content Development Team

(Contract Consultants)

Volunteer Advisory Board (TBD)

Content Development

Online Development

Videographer

Graphic Designer

Publications/ Social Media Writer

Project Coordinator and Admin Support (0.4 FTE)

Website Support

Accounting Department

Communications/

Marketing/Media

Volunteers/Students

Corporate and CMHA Branches/Divisions

Independent Consultant Trainers

Strategy Consultants

Speakers

Master Trainers

Peer Support Specialists

FERENCE WEICKER & COMPANY respect to mental health in the workplace, and providing managers with tools to address issues, particularly for public sector workplaces (e.g., municipal, provincial, federal).

Stakeholders provided a rating of 4/5, when asked how successful Mental Health Works has been to date in achieving its objectives, on a scale from 1 to 5, where 1 is not at all successful, 3 is somewhat successful and 5 is very successful. Many stakeholders (4 stakeholders) noted that the initiative has increased awareness, reduced stigma and changed attitudes with respect to mental health in the workplace. The initiative has helped participants to understand that mental health impacts everyone and has reduced fear about the subject, leading to increased discussions. Stakeholders also mentioned that the initiative has been successful in the organizations it has reached since it delivers practical, transferable skills for front-line managers in their interactions with employees. Stakeholders also noted that the initiative has trained several organizations particularly within the public sector (i.e., municipal, provincial, and federal organizations).

According to the document review, following training sessions, participants are given post-surveys assessing their views on the value of the information and skills taught, whether they will be able to apply it to their job, and what else they could use to assist them in addressing mental health issues in the workplace. These evaluations are often very positive, with participants recognizing the importance of addressing mental illness in the workplace and creating an environment that promotes good mental health for all employees. During stakeholder interviews one long-term client noted: “Anecdotally, it has definitely become a topic that is being talked about more in our workplace and some of the stigma is breaking away. People are expressing their appreciation and that they feel comfortable talking about issues in a healthy way. It is a big issue but the programming has helped our workplace as a key part of the solution.”

In the 2009 report, Evaluation of Mental Health Works Training Results for Ontario Trillium Foundation, evaluator Terry Bisset states: “Mental Health Works training is effective in its objectives. It consistently assists managers and employees to deal more successfully with the complex and critically important organizational challenge of mental illness in the workplace.”⁴¹

The demand for Mental Health Works training and information also demonstrates the success of the initiative. Originally localized in Ontario, Mental Health Works now has a national reach with a team of trainers across Canada. Mental Health Works has received requests for consulting and/or the use of its products from several other counties including the USA and Australia. Repeat clients are also proof that the initiative is meeting the education and training needs of their employees. Participation is growing each year, as Mental Health Works delivers over 100 workshops annually and speaks at many conferences. The initiative’s reach is well within the 1000’s of participants each year.⁴²

The initiative has been recognized for several awards (in addition to MHCC’s). In 2007, Mental Health Works received the Canadian Council on Learning Sharing the Flame Award, which recognizes

41 MHCC. 2012. National Mental Health Awards Application Form – Canadian Mental Health Association-Ontario, “Mental Health Works,” pp. 5, 9.

42 Ibid.