Grant: College & Community Social Innovation Fund

In society, most people attempt to find a form of work that is sustainable and meaningful. People who experience a mental wellness challenge or a mental illness may struggle to maintain their position in the workplace - often unsuccessfully. There is a relationship between how a recovery-supportive community and work environment impacts an individual's recovery from mental illness. Much more needs to be known and understood about this reciprocal and adaptive relationship. In addition, caring for someone who lives with mental illness is very difficult and stressful; often, it becomes so encompassing that it is difficult for an individual to notice that they need to recharge themselves. The study is a collaboration between the Saskatchewan Polytechnic's Psychiatric Nursing and Computer Studies and Technology program, Refresh Inc., and the Canadian Mental Health Association Saskatchewan Division. The project investigates the relationship between mental wellness and recovery in the workplace. ItF will determine the characteristics of a supportive workplace environment; if work-based education has an effect supportive effect in the workplace; and the social support resources needed by families and caregivers. In addition it will inform the further development of the Refresh Wellness app, which will incorporate innovative technology to connect persons with mental wellness issues to social programs that support recovery in the community and workplace, and will also create virtual peer support. The Canadian Mental Health Association will utilize this new technology to augment its peer support program for lasting benefit as a direct result of participating in this research project. The app will also offer the capability to facilitate virtual peer support as a first step in crisis response. This will allow the individual or family member/caregiver to connect with a peer support group in the community while remaining in the workplace. Individuals who experience acute episodes of mental illness or challenges to their mental wellness are more likely to have a greater sense of confidence in their recovery if they know their employer has a workplace culture that will be supportive.