The BC Municipal Safety Association (BCMSA) and BC Association of Clinical Counselors (BCACC) are excited to announce the launch of Connection to Care, a collaborative mental health and wellness initiative aimed at fostering resilience within our local government community. Recognizing the profound impact of mental health on personal and professional lives, Connection to Care offers a safe space for open dialogue, allowing individuals to discuss challenges and access the resources they need for effective navigation.

Starting May 1, 2024, the program will provide local government workers (CU 753004) access to free, anonymous, and confidential mental health support via a dedicated call-in service. Available Monday to Friday, from 7 am – 10 pm, this service is intended as a one-time phone call offering mental health support provided by Interns enrolled in a master’s degree in Counselling Psychology and/or Registered Clinical Counsellors (RCC). Any employee who calls the line will be triaged and then connected to a professional at that instant; eliminating the callers’ wait time. The service is absolutely anonymous, and the caller’s personal information is not collected, outside of confirming which municipality the employee works for. As an early intervention and upstream model, interns and RCCs will prioritize identifying and addressing expressions of suffering and distress through a triage approach. This targeted approach aims to empower callers and enhance individual agency. Similar strategies will be employed in subsequent calls.

In instances of crisis calls, professionals will adeptly recognize such situations and guide callers to the appropriate crisis support resources. A well-trained mental health professional will answer your call, provide you with the opportunity to share struggles and listen to your needs. They will support you through compassionate enquiry and conversation. Conversations are 100% confidential so this means you can openly discuss your thoughts, concerns, and feelings. You will be connected to resources specifically to your needs or be redirected to a longer-term therapist. You do not need to be experiencing a crisis to use this service.

Who is this for?
Anyone working for a BC municipality or an organization within WorkSafeBC Classification Unit 753004 Local Government and Related Operations.

For those interested in acquiring a complimentary marketing starter-package to highlight this program within their workplace, we invite you to contact Justin Chouhan, BCMSA Director of Programs & Initiatives at jchouhan@bcmsa.ca.

For questions or more information, please contact programs@bcmsa.ca.