Workers in British Columbia’s forest industry can now access free confidential mental health services through the Connection to Care program, which expanded Jan. 5 to include BC Forest Safety Council members.
The program offers workers access to registered clinical counsellors and supervised master’s level students through a confidential phone line. Callers receive therapeutic support, resource connections and referrals without providing names, phone numbers or identifying information.
Connection to Care launched in May 2024 as a joint initiative between the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors and the BC Municipal Safety Association to serve municipal workers. The expansion to forest industry workers marks the program’s first growth beyond the municipal sector.
Program removes cost and wait time barriers
The no-cost service aims to reduce common barriers to mental health support including costs, wait times and stigma. Workers can call the team at 778-247-2273.
“We look forward to supporting BCFSC workers with timely access to quality mental health support,” said Michael Radano, CEO of the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors. “The C2C program lowers barriers to access due to costs, wait times, and potential stigma associated with seeking mental health services.”
The counselling team includes registered clinical counsellors and final-year master’s students working under approved clinical supervisors.
Three organizations collaborate on workplace mental health
The BC Association of Clinical Counsellors represents 10,000 registered clinical counsellors across the province and maintains professional practice standards and ethics codes for its members.
The BC Municipal Safety Association provides occupational health and safety guidance, resources and training to municipalities across British Columbia.
The BC Forest Safety Council, established in 2004, serves as the health and safety association for forest harvesting, sawmills and pellet manufacturing in the province. The organization works with employers, workers and industry partners to improve safety outcomes and reduce serious injuries in the forest sector.
