How can your union support your mental health?
Your union has a role to play in your well-being.
More than ever, we are all in need of support to get through these tough times.
Through collective bargaining, your union pushes hard to get a collective agreement that supports you. We can also help to share the resources that are available to you as a worker and a community member.
Employee and Family Assistance Program
Every CIPP member has access to an Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP). This is a part of your compensation package. You have access to mental health supports at no cost.
City of Ottawa
Work Health Life
1-844-880-9142
Ottawa Community Housing
Ink Blot Therapy
1-855-933-0103
These services are always confidential and no personal information is shared with your employer or union. At times, statistics on the use of these benefits are shared but there is no individual information included.
Collective Agreement Benefits
Increasing benefits is a bargaining priority for CIPP. In the latest round, both members at the City of Ottawa and Ottawa Community Housing have improvements to mental health benefits in your collective agreements.
City of Ottawa
As of April 8, 2022, members employed by the city of Ottawa will have 90% of mental health services from a psychologist, psychotherapist and social worker covered, to a combined maximum of $1500 per person, per calendar year.
Ottawa Community Housing
As of January 20, 2022, members employed by Ottawa Community Housing will have 100% of mental health services from a psychologist, psychotherapist and social worker covered, to a combined maximum of $750 per person, per calendar year.
Improving benefits will always be a top priority for your union. When we demonstrate that members are accessing the full benefits available to you, we are in a better position to push for increases.
You may also want to use some of the paid leave provided in your collective agreement to care for your mental health.
Community Resources
Our community also provides mental health support to us all.
Distress Centre Ottawa and Region
Call 613-238-3311 in English.
Tel-Aide Outaouais
Call 613-741-6433 in French.
Counselling Connect
Counselling Connect provides free access to a same-day or next-day phone or video counselling session. This service is for children, youth, adults and families in Ottawa and the nearby area.
Throughout the pandemic, we have all been keeping a close eye on the physical symptoms of the virus. However, mental health problems including increased anxiety and depression have also been common side effects of this pandemic.
Your well-being is important. Put to use the many resources that are available to you.
