Questions
Workplace mental health training: straight answers
What the course is, how the practical day works, what the certificate means, and where the law and the Standard come in.
About the course
Is this Mental Health First Aid?
No. Bedrock Minds is an independent program with its own framework, the 4C Pathway. Its practice is consistent with published mental health first aid guidelines, but it is not affiliated with Mental Health First Aid, The Working Mind, the Mental Health Commission of Canada or the Canadian Red Cross.
Will this make our staff counsellors?
No, and it is designed not to. Learners learn to notice, approach, listen, connect someone to the right help, and follow up. The course says plainly on the certificate that it confers no clinical competence.
What is the difference between Responder and Champion?
Responder is for all staff: about 5.5 hours online and the practical day. Champion is for supervisors, HR and committee members: about 10.5 hours online across all eight modules, the practical day with tabletop and mini-audit roles, and a written 90-day plan.
Is the course available in French?
A French edition for Quebec is in preparation and will be released once it has been professionally reviewed. Ask us about timing.
The practical day and the certificate
Where does the practical day happen?
Practical days often run at the employer’s own workplace. We need a main room with movable chairs, a few breakout corners, a separate room with a door for the crisis station, and a quiet room. Tell us what you have and we will work it out together.
How big are the groups?
There is a maximum of 12 learners for every pair of facilitators, so everyone gets real practice leading scenarios.
What if someone finds the content difficult?
Many people have a personal connection to these topics, and we plan for that. The day opens with a group agreement on confidentiality, a quiet room is always available, and anyone currently in crisis or recently bereaved by suicide is encouraged to defer without losing their place.
How long is the certificate valid?
Three years from the practical day. Renewal means completing the current program again, priced as a renewal rather than a new seat.
Standards and the law
Does completing the course make us compliant with CSA Z1003?
No training can do that on its own. Z1003 is a voluntary management system standard. The course builds the competencies the Standard expects and gives your Champions the tools to plan, but conformance depends on your organization’s whole program. More on CSA Z1003.
Is mental health training mandatory in Ontario?
Not in general. We have found no requirement in Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act or its training regulations for employers to provide mental health training as such.
The Act does require employers to have workplace violence and harassment policies and programs, and to give workers information and instruction on them. Certified members of a joint health and safety committee also complete certification training, which lists psychosocial hazards among the hazard types. See what Ontario law requires of employers and our page for committees. This is general information, not legal advice.
Does Bedrock Minds replace our harassment and violence training?
No. Employer-specific harassment and violence training is still needed, and federally regulated employers have their own requirements. Read the federal rules.
Build your team’s footing.
Tell us how many people you want to train, which streams, and where your workplace is. We reply within one business day with a quote and available dates.