Mental health support in the workplace looks very different than it did even a few years ago. Today’s employees are looking for support that is flexible, easy to access, preventative and designed to fit into real life. That could mean connecting with a counsellor virtually, accessing self-guided wellness resources after hours, or finding support while balancing work, family and caregiving responsibilities.
This Mental Health Awareness Month, the Calgary Chamber of Commerce is highlighting how Chambers Plan is helping small and medium sized businesses provide those kinds of supports to their teams. Chambers Plan includes a growing range of mental health resources that go beyond traditional counselling coverage and aim to support employees and their families at every stage of their mental health journey.
Their support and programming are delivered through advisors like Garry and Carol Peters, co-owners of Clear View Insurance, who have worked closely with Chambers Plan for years and have seen firsthand how workplace mental health needs have evolved.
Meeting employees where they are
For Garry Peters, one of the biggest strengths of Chambers Plan is how accessible and flexible the supports have become for different types of employees and workplaces.
“Mental health is not one size fits all,” said Garry. “Chambers Plan has really focused on bringing support directly to employees instead of expecting them to figure it all out on their own.”
That flexibility is especially important for employees with demanding schedules or non-traditional work environments. Garry pointed to examples like long haul truck drivers, who may not be able to regularly attend in person appointments.
Instead, Chambers Plan offers multiple ways for employees to access support, including phone-based counselling, virtual resources and digital wellness tools that can be used whenever employees need them.
Carol Peters added that accessibility also means recognizing the diversity of today’s workforce.
“The employee assistance program by Arcora is available in 30 different languages,” she said. “It is designed to support diverse families, cultures, and personal situations.”
A full range of mental health supports
Rather than offering only one form of mental health care, Chambers Plan is designed as what Carol describes as a continuum of support, giving employees different entry points depending on their comfort level and needs.
“The support services are all designed to complement each other depending on where someone is in their journey.”
One of the most accessible starting points is the myStrength app, which provides employees with articles, self-guided resources, and mental wellness tools they can explore privately and at their own pace. For employees who may not be ready for formal counselling, it offers a low barrier way to begin engaging with mental health support.
“It gives people an easy place to start,” Carol explained. “They can do self check ins, browse topics and engage with support in a way that feels comfortable.”
From there, employees can connect into more direct services through the Employee Assistance Program, which helps individuals access counselling and other professional support quickly and confidentially.
“All they need is their certificate number and the phone number or app,” said Carol. “The process helps connect them with a counsellor and get those appointments started.”
For employees already navigating ongoing mental health conditions or treatment plans, Chambers Plan also includes access to services like the Teladoc Mental Health Navigator. The program provides expert second opinions on diagnoses, medications and treatment plans to help employees feel more informed and confident in their care.
“It gives employees tools and knowledge to help navigate their mental health journey while still working alongside their existing practitioners,” Carol said.
The plan also includes additional supports that many employees may not realize are available, including legal guidance, financial consultation, elder care assistance and caregiver support services for employees caring for aging parents or family members with disabilities.
“Those resources can make a really meaningful difference during stressful times,” said Carol.
Supporting healthier workplaces
Both Garry and Carol emphasized that one of the biggest barriers to mental health support is often simply knowing where to start. They also noted that privacy concerns can sometimes prevent employees from reaching out for help.
“Everything is completely confidential,” said Carol. “Employers are not told who is accessing services or what supports they are using.”
For employers, the benefits of these programs are often seen through healthier workplace culture, improved productivity, reduced absenteeism and employees feeling more supported overall.
The supports are also designed to be accessible for small and medium sized businesses. Carol noted that employers sometimes assume mental health resources will be expensive or difficult to implement, but Chambers Plan has worked to make those supports practical and approachable.
“A healthy and supportive workforce is good for everybody,” she said. “When people have access to the right support at the right time, it really can make a difference.”
For more information about Chambers Plan, visit: chamberplan.ca
