Online

Thursday, June 5, 2025
10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time)

What time is this for me?

Occupational therapists are immersed in workplace mental health. They participate in their own workplaces and facilitate change and participation for clients in their workplaces. Popular media and organizations may encourage individual-focused interventions to improve health and participation. This is contrary to the research evidence recommended by many leading organizations (e.g., World Health Organization & International Labour Organization, 2022). Occupational therapists have a role in advocating for evidence-informed interventions for individuals and organizations to support workplace mental health.

This workshop aims to increase occupational therapists’ knowledge and ability to act in workplace mental health for health promotion, prevention of harm, and rehabilitation. This workshop will combine the validated theories of Psychosocial Safety Climate (Dollard et al., 2012), Job Demands-Resources (Bakker & Demerouti, 2017), and Conservation of Resources (Hobfoll et al., 2018) with current intervention evidence to provide an in-depth primer on workplace mental health. It will examine how various structures, norms, leaders, and co-workers affect individuals’ participation and health. It will explore the development and recovery of individual-level experiences of burnout and common mental health disorders intervening on both a group and individual level. Large and small group discussions will be utilized to support participants in learning how to critically choose and advocate for evidence-informed interventions for individuals and organizations that promote health, prevent harm, and facilitate return to the workplace.

Preliminary workshop agenda

Learning objectives

By the end of this workshop, you will be able to:

1. Understand the connection and mechanism between working conditions and mental health based on empirically-validated models and high-quality research.
2. Understand the spectrum of various workplace mental health activities and where they fit within best practice recommendations.
3. Critically choose interventions for individuals and organizations in line with research evidence and international guidelines.

Target audience

Occupational therapist clinicians who wish to increase their understanding of workplace mental health and their ability to utilize evidence-informed interventions to support individuals and organizations. Students in occupational therapy programs and workplace practitioners (psychologists, HR, safety personnel) are also welcome to attend.

Please note: Each participant is responsible to ensure they apply the information within the context of their licensure, provincial/territorial legislations, institution regulations, scope of practice, etc.

Client age group

Adults (20-64 years old)

Areas of practice

Ergonomics, Health Promotion & Wellness, Mental Health, Policy Development, Return to Work, Workplace Health & Safety

Workshop level

Intermediate (3-5 years of experience in this specific practice area)

Please note: Participants with more or less than this stated level of experience are welcome to attend the workshop. The workshop content will be geared towards those with 3-5 years of experience.

Presenter

Ian Lewis, OT. Reg. (SK)

Ian Lewis is an occupational therapist who has practised in workplace rehabilitation, health, and safety since 2004. His experience includes insurance-sponsored physical and mental health rehabilitation and evaluation, physical and psychosocial job demands analysis, workplace health promotion and hazard analysis, and leadership. He is completing his Masters in Workplace Health and Wellbeing and is a member of the Technical Committee for the National Standard of Canada for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace.

Registration fees

Early bird rates: Registration and payment completed by April 9, 2025

Regular rates: Registration and payment completed after April 9, 2025

Registration deadline: June 5, 2025 at 9:59 a.m. (Eastern Time)

Please note that CAOT does not offer group registration fees.

*It may be more cost effective to become a CAOT Member or Associate rather than pay the non-member rate. See “Can a non-member register for a Workshop?” in our Professional Development FAQs to know which membership category you are eligible for.  

Included in your registration fee:

Online workshop, access to the recording for a period of 14 days following the workshop, electronic copy of presentation slide handouts, opportunity to network and make connections with other occupational therapists interested in this topic, electronic certificate of attendance.

Cancellation/refund policy

All cancellation/refund requests must be sent in writing to education@caot.ca. All cancellation requests received by May 21, 2025 will be given a full refund minus a $50.00 administrative fee. No refunds will be given after May 21, 2025. Substitutions and transfers requests received by May 21, 2025 are permitted and are subject to a $50.00 administrative fee.

If you are exceptionally unable to complete the workshop, please reach out to education@caot.ca by 25 days following the end of the workshop for extended access to the recording (up to one month after the end of the workshop) or a one-time transfer to another offering of the same workshop if currently open for registration. 

CAOT reserves the right to modify the workshop title, description, registration dates and information on the workshop webpage. CAOT will notify participants on or before April 25, 2025 if there is insufficient registration by that date and reserves the right to cancel a Workshop due to insufficient registration up until May 9, 2025. CAOT reserves the right to modify the offering, interrupt Workshops, change the timing of a Workshop, cancel a Workshop or change the technology for the Workshop due to the presenter no longer being able to present the Workshop, severe weather, power failure, building closures or other special circumstances that are beyond the control of CAOT by notifying participants as soon as possible. If the Workshop is cancelled by CAOT, registrants will receive a full refund of the registration fee. CAOT will not be responsible for other costs or expenses incurred by registrants as a result of any such changes.

  Professional Development FAQs