ICBA Wellness has been running for more than three years now, and our commitment to our award-winning program has kept us very busy. But there are many other organizations and groups doing amazing things in mental health, and worth noting.
Recently, I heard about the Calgary Public Library’s Wellness Desk. Operated at three library branches – and funded by the city and private donors – the Wellness Desk offers free access to mental health and addictions support, health information, and referral to services by calling or texting with a mental health professional.
It has been very successful: “The desks have seen an increase in demand by 110 per cent overall from 2023 to 2024, with growth at the Central Library going from 61 per cent over that same period to 110 percent from February of this year on.”
The wellness desk program has been staffed by Wood’s Homes counsellors.
Might be something to bring to British Columbia?
Each week, ICBA’s Jordan Bateman reflects on what we’ve learned as we participate in ICBA’s Workplace Wellness Program. ICBA’s Workplace Wellness Program is helping more than 100 companies and more than 10,000 construction professionals better understand mental health. This program is free for all ICBA members – check out icba.ca/wellness for details.
