--- title: "Psychological Health and Safety: Working toward a culture of support, trust and openness" date: 2024-05-21T10:09:00-04:00 author: jessica napert canonical_url: "https://www.bbaconsultants.com/en-ca/publications/psychological-health-and-safety-working-toward-a-culture-of-support-trust-and-openness-1" section: Publications --- Émile Jacques, Director – Health, Safety and Environment at BBA, raises a pertinent question: “In health and safety, it's often said that you need to focus fully on your task to reduce risks. Yet, how do you do that when personal or professional challenges are overtaking your thoughts?” Companies are becoming more and more involved in psychological health and safety, but this requires big changes because it’s been assumed for so long that personal problems should stay at home. To wrap up Mental Health Week and Safety and Health Week, let's take this opportunity to reflect on workplaces that support and nurture people through life's ups and downs. 1. ## Breaking the stigma “Talking about these issues raises employee awareness, fosters empathetic understanding and prompts important introspection,” explains Julia Gartley, Vice-President – Health, Safety and Sustainability at BBA. “It’s also crucial to encourage people to seek help when they need it.” Corporate leaders can play a key role here. When managers bravely share their own vulnerabilities, they lead by example, foster discussions on the topic and show their organization’s willingness to address these issues. 2. ## Builing a culture of trust and inclusion Each person must feel secure in seeking support, without fear of judgement or repercussions. Talking openly about mental health is a great place to start, but actions can often speak louder than words. Employees will trust employers that back up their assertions with corporate policies and benefits. True inclusion means building a compassionate culture and ensuring that all staff members have accessible ways to take care of themselves through colleagues, supervisors, group insurance, health and wellness policies, and support resources. People do their best work when they feel their best. Adapting work to fit employees, rather than the other way around, promotes an environment where team members feel valued and supported. This can reduce stress, enhance well-being and further support a strong culture of trust and inclusion. 3. This content is for general information purposes only. All rights reserved ©BBA 1. ![Julia Gartley Carre](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/avatars/_size_avatar/176808/Julia_Gartley_Carre.webp) Julia Gartley, P.Eng., M.B.A. Office director Read bio [ ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jgartley/) Julia Gartley has been a member of the BBA team since 2019, is a mineral process engineer and leads the Vancouver Mineral Processing team. Her onsite experience gives her a unique perspective on the operability and maintainability of process facilities. Julia Gartley specializes in niobium, gold and copper metallurgy and has managed complex metallurgical test programs, led trade-off studies and been in charge of project teams. 2. ![6270](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/avatars/_size_avatar/168243/6270.webp) Émile Jacques, CRSP, CRHR Director, Health, Safety and Environment [ ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/emile-jacques/) - [ 27 Jul 2026 Mining and Metals Early tailings decisions shape long-term mine performance - ![Geraldine Cosset](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/avatars/_size_avatar/206707/Geraldine-Cosset.webp) - ![Jared Purdy](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/avatars/_size_avatar/212424/Jared-Purdy.webp) ](https://www.bbaconsultants.com/en-ca/insights/early-tailings-decisions-shape-long-term-mine-performance "Early tailings decisions shape long-term mine performance") - [ 02 Jul 2026 Mining and Metals Python: A key tool for data analysis in mineral processing - ![Charles Blais](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/avatars/_size_avatar/211197/Charles-Blais.webp) - ![Juan Pablo Vergara](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/avatars/_size_avatar/211266/Juan-Pablo-Vergara.webp) ](https://www.bbaconsultants.com/en-ca/insights/python-a-key-tool-for-data-analysis-in-mineral-processing "Python: A key tool for data analysis in mineral processing") - [ 19 Jun 2026 Mining and Metals Speed is earned early in projects - ![Mm employee men jean lheureux retouch web SQ LR BBA](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/avatars/_size_avatar/204266/mm_employee_men_jean-lheureux_retouch_web_SQ_LR_BBA.webp) - ![Mm employee men benoit richard retouch web SQ LR BBA](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/avatars/_size_avatar/203602/mm_employee_men_benoit-richard_retouch_web_SQ_LR_BBA.webp) ](https://www.bbaconsultants.com/en-ca/insights/speed-is-earned-early-in-projects "Speed is earned early in projects") - [ 17 Jun 2026 Industrial data platforms: building a solid foundation to optimize your operations - ![Pierre Boucher](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/avatars/_size_avatar/2671/Pierre-Boucher.webp) Pierre Boucher, P.Eng. Senior Engineer, Operational Technology and Infrastructure ](https://www.bbaconsultants.com/en-ca/insights/industrial-data-platforms-building-a-solid-foundation-to-optimize-your-operations "Industrial data platforms: building a solid foundation to optimize your operations") [ See all ](https://www.bbaconsultants.com/en-ca/insights "Go to Publications listing page") - [ 07 May 2024 Mining and Metals On the green road: electrification transforms the mining landscape in B.C. - ![Amanda Fitch](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/avatars/_size_avatar/204407/Amanda-Fitch.webp) Amanda Fitch, P.Eng. Director, Mining and Metals ](https://www.bbaconsultants.com/en-ca/publications/on-the-green-road-electrification-transforms-the-mining-landscape-in-bc "On the green road: electrification transforms the mining landscape in B.C.") [ See all ](https://www.bbaconsultants.com/en-ca/insights) Let’s see what we can do together [ Contact us ](https://www.bbaconsultants.com/en-ca/contact) Émile Jacques, Director – Health, Safety and Environment at BBA, raises a pertinent question: “In health and safety, it's often said that you need to focus fully on your task to reduce risks. Yet, how do you do that when personal or professional challenges are overtaking your thoughts?” Companies are becoming more and more involved in psychological health and safety, but this requires big changes because it’s been assumed for so long that personal problems should stay at home. To wrap up Mental Health Week and Safety and Health Week, let's take this opportunity to reflect on workplaces that support and nurture people through life's ups and downs. 1. ## Breaking the stigma “Talking about these issues raises employee awareness, fosters empathetic understanding and prompts important introspection,” explains Julia Gartley, Vice-President – Health, Safety and Sustainability at BBA. “It’s also crucial to encourage people to seek help when they need it.” Corporate leaders can play a key role here. When managers bravely share their own vulnerabilities, they lead by example, foster discussions on the topic and show their organization’s willingness to address these issues. 2. ## Builing a culture of trust and inclusion Each person must feel secure in seeking support, without fear of judgement or repercussions. Talking openly about mental health is a great place to start, but actions can often speak louder than words. Employees will trust employers that back up their assertions with corporate policies and benefits. True inclusion means building a compassionate culture and ensuring that all staff members have accessible ways to take care of themselves through colleagues, supervisors, group insurance, health and wellness policies, and support resources. People do their best work when they feel their best. Adapting work to fit employees, rather than the other way around, promotes an environment where team members feel valued and supported. This can reduce stress, enhance well-being and further support a strong culture of trust and inclusion. 3. This content is for general information purposes only. All rights reserved ©BBA