Black-Centric enhancements to the Employee Assistance Program
On this page
- About the initiative
- Engagement with Black public servants
- Milestones and accomplishments
- Next steps
- Statistics
- Contact us
About the initiative
In January 2021, the Clerk of the Privy Council Office issued a Call To Action on Anti-Racism, Equity, and Inclusion in the Federal Public Service. He acknowledged the ongoing struggles faced by Black, Indigenous and racialized communities, and called for urgent and collective action to:
- combat systemic racism
- promote diversity, equity, and inclusion within the Public Service of Canada
The enhancements to Health Canada's Employee Assistance Program (EAP) aim to provide culturally competent and trauma-informed mental health support to Black public servants and their immediate family members. The dedicated Black-Centric Engagement and Advancement team ensures Health Canada applies a Black-Centric and SGBA Plus lens to this initiative.
This initiative stems from the 2023 federal budget's action plan to support Black public servants, which includes specific mental health supports. Health Canada is receiving nearly $6 million to introduce Black-Centric enhancements to the EAP, which provides support to more than 90 federal departments and agencies.
Government of Canada's action plan to support Black public servants
Engagement with Black public servants
As a first step, Health Canada held engagement sessions with Black public servants from May to August 2024, seeking feedback on the project plans and the EAP.
Phase 1
Health Canada held 4 engagement sessions with the following interdepartmental Black employee networks:
- the Black Executives Network
- the Federal Black Employee Caucus
- the Federal Black Employee Caucus – Women's Caucus
- the Interdepartmental Black Employee Network
The sessions ran from May 30 to July 8, 2024, and Health Canada consulted with a total of 491 Black public servants.
Health Canada used these sessions to:
- gain feedback on the project plans for Black-Centric enhancements to the EAP
- create awareness for the project using a trauma-informed approach
Phase 2
Health Canada held 8 engagement sessions focused on:
- Black employees' experiences with the EAP
- the EAP's promotional material
- project plans to collect disaggregated data
These sessions ran from July 23 to August 21, 2024, and Health Canada consulted with 140 Black employees.
Milestones and accomplishments
Addressing the stigma surrounding mental health in Black communities requires access to culturally competent and trauma-informed mental health services.
Following the engagement sessions with Black public servants, Health Canada has:
- increased the number of Black mental health professionals in the EAP network
- improved how the EAP matches clients with mental health professionals based on specific identity factors
- updated the EAP's promotional materials to better reach Black public servants
Next steps
In the coming months, Health Canada will continue to enhance the EAP by:
- increasing awareness of the initiative
- recruiting and retaining more Black mental health professionals
- improving data collection to ensure the program meets the needs of Black public servants
- equipping mental health professionals in our network with knowledge and tools to better serve Black clients
Statistics
According to the 2022 Public Service Employment Survey, over the past 12 months:
- 11% of Black respondents reported experiencing workplace discrimination compared to 6% of non-racialized, non-Indigenous respondents
- 72% of Black respondents said the discrimination was racial in nature
- 12% of Black respondents reported experiencing higher levels of work-related stress compared to 5% of non-racialized, non-Indigenous respondents
- 29% of Black respondents reported that racism in their department or agency has had an adverse or negative impact on their mental health
As of December 2024, Health Canada has:
- increased the number of Black mental health professionals in the network to a total of 100
- successfully matched 92% clients that have requested a Black mental health professional
Contact us
Black-Centric Engagement Advancement Team
Email: EAS-BEAT_EMAN-SAE@hc-sc.gc.ca
Related links
Resources
- Find your organization's Employee Assistance Program provider
- Employee Assistance Program contact
- 2022 Public Service Employee Survey Results
News
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