The Mental Health at Work Essentials program is an optional basic level depending on the readiness of the organization. It ensures that the foundational pieces are in place before progressing to the Mental Health at Work Gold level. An Excellence Canada Coach can assist organizations in determining if they are ready to embark at the Gold level.

Mental Health at Work Essentials demonstrates:

• The organization is in the initial stages of implementing a long-term strategic focus on PH&S that promotes good principles and practices.
• The organization has a commitment to continual improvement, assessment, and evaluation.
• A solid methodology is in place across the organization based on the MH@W Essentials and has been implemented in key areas.
• The organization is in transition from a focus on “reacting” to issues to a more preventative approach.
• Positive results are being achieved from improvement efforts in some areas.

The key outcomes of the Bronze level are:

• Broad team support of the vision, mission, and values.
• Recognition of the importance of embedding PH&S principles in decision making at all levels of the organization.
• Policy statements related to PH&S.
• A wide understanding by employees of the organization’s strategic approach to mental health.
• Broad participation by employees in achieving the organization’s mental health goals.
• Strategic and operational plans are being developed.
• Establishment of baseline indicators, measures and related goals for mental health.

The Gold Level builds on the solid implementation of psychological health and safety established in the Mental Health at Work Essentials program. (The Essentials program is an optional basic level depending on the readiness of the organization)

• There is organization-wide implementation of the strategic focus on mental health through the understanding and application of the MH@W program.
• A sound, structured approach to a psychologically healthy and safe workplace is in place.

The key outcomes of the Gold level are:

• Positive achievements in meeting and exceeding strategic MH@W goals.
• An organization-wide focus on mental health and employee well-being opportunities.
• Positive results are being achieved across all drivers, and across all areas/departments of the organization.
• Quantifiable improvements in being a psychologically healthy and safe workplace as a result of moving from reactive to proactive and preventive approaches and practices.

The Platinum Level builds on the achievements and outcomes from the previous level with a focus on establishing sustainable practices.

• The organization has achieved excellent results and positive trends from its efforts for overall improvement in mental health.
• The organization can clearly identify sustained improvements aligned to specific mental health objectives and goals.

The key outcomes of the Platinum Level are:

• Sound systemic approach to a psychologically healthy and safe workplace.
• Continuous improvement is a “way of life” with full integration of mental health into culture and systems.
• Sustained results in all related areas (trend data required).
• The organization is viewed as a leader in terms of knowledge sharing, industry and benchmark leadership, and best practices related to mental health in the workplace.

Achieving Excellence Canada’s COE means that the organization has sustained progress in MH@W at the Platinum level, plus established best practices benchmarked against world-class organizations. The organization is able to demonstrate the impact of its mental health focus over several years and is a recognized leader in mental health. Successful organizations will receive a Canada Awards for Excellence at the Canada Order of Excellence level.