West Fraser is partnering with the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), supporting menteal health support especially in rural communities.
“At West Fraser, we believe in the importance of mental health,” said West Fraser's Keith Carter, senior Vice-President, western Canadian operations in a news release. “This May, it's a message we are committed to amplifying across our team and throughout the wider community.”
The company said in the release they have 25 manufacturing facilities across the country and with many of them rural areas, they want to be part of the solution for expanding mental health supports.
“Each West Fraser employee has access to mental health supports and resources and we want to improve these supports within our communities as well, not just our employees," Carter said. "Now, by partnering with the Canadian Mental Health Association, we are working together to identify and address the unique challenges rural residents face—including limited access to services—and how we can help support their mental health needs.”
The CMHA and West Fraser have worked together to review research on rural mental health and conducted outreach projects including national online forums with people who live and work in rural communities. Some of the insights they found were:
- Virtual services transform care, but on their own are not enough.
- Mobile clinics in retrofitted RVs bring care close to home.
- Posting QR codes at stores and gas stations is a fresh way to share mental health resources.
- Training local paraprofessionals and peer supporters expands the mental health workforce.
CMHA is working to issue grants and with support from the province and West Fraser will be supporting up to five CMHA affiliates to help meet mental health needs.
May is mental health month and West Fraser staff, including in the Quesnel office, is participating in Go Green Day to help drive out stigma around mental health and open conversations. Green is the international colour for mental health awareness, with a green ribbon being a symbol.
Employees at West Fraser's locations across the company are "Taking Action for Mental Health" and are competing in a step challenge by division, linking physical and mental health. Employees are tracking steps at work and after hours until the end of the month during the friendly competition. The West Pine MDF is leading West Fraser's four Quesnel divisions and corporate office and is second overall.
The CMHA has programs and services in place to help support peoples' mental health. They have programs to support individuals, including youth, for campuses, workplaces and more. The CMHA's Northern B.C. branch also operates Nourish Food Bank, connecting mental health and food security.
