UFred launches certificate to help managers address workplace psychological health

The University of Fredericton (UFred) has introduced a new, fully-online Certificate in Managing Psychological Health Issues at Work to help managers understand their responsibilities and improve their skills in addressing workplace psychological health issues.
Managers are often the first point of contact for an employee struggling with emotional distress or mental health issues or disorders. As such, much of the onus in addressing workplace psychological health and safety falls directly on them.

The courses are developed by Joti Samra, an innovator in the area of psychological health and wellness, and are supported by the Great-West Life Centre for Mental Health in the Workplace, the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS), and the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC).


The UFred certificate program is comprised of three courses. It focuses on providing managers in all industries with the skills required to effectively support individual employees experiencing emotional distress or mental health issues or disorders. The program is self-paced, allowing managers to implement knowledge gained in real time, with little interruption to their careers or personal lives.

“Organizations and their employees can benefit tremendously when managers are equipped to understand and effectively address mental health issues or disorders in the workplace,” said Samra. “A change in the psychological health status of an employee may or may not have to do with workplace factors. But it is still the responsibility of the employer, which oftentimes falls on the manager, to provide appropriate support.”

UFred is also pleased to announce the availability of a new Great-West Life Bursary for Psychological Health and Safety Studies. The bursary will cover the tuition of 50 eligible employees of Canadian not-for-profit organizations to take the UFred’s introductory basic level psychological health and safety course, which has specific emphasis on the National Standard of Canada for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace.

This course is a pre-requisite for those wishing to pursue the certificate in psychological health and safety in the workplace, and the new manager certificate at UFred. The not-for-profit sector was identified for priority access, given that training and development budgets may be limited in that sector.


“Great-West has a special interest in helping Canadians achieve financial, physical and mental well-being,” said Jan Belanger, vice-president, community relations, Great-West Life. “Working with UFred and as a longtime supporter of Canada’s charitable sector, we’re pleased to help more professionals in this sector across Canada gain valuable new knowledge to improve psychological health and safety in their workplaces.”