A digital mental health platform originally designed for emergency responders is now available to workplaces across multiple industries as employers seek new ways to address staff burnout and workplace stress.
PeerOnCall, acquired by Toronto-based Stepped Care Solutions, connects employees with trained peers from their own organizations through anonymous text or phone conversations. The platform was initially developed for public safety workers but has been redesigned to serve broader workforces including healthcare, education and social services.
The expansion comes as workplace mental health challenges continue to affect employees across various sectors, with many organizations struggling to provide timely, accessible support for staff dealing with stress and burnout.
Research-backed approach
The platform emerged from research led by Dr. Sandra Moll at McMaster University, working with public safety organizations and researchers across Canada. The project received funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Defence Research and Development Canada, Movember, and the Public Health Agency of Canada.
“PeerOnCall represents a significant shift in how workplaces approach mental health,” said AnnMarie Churchill, President and Lead Executive Officer of Stepped Care Solutions. “By facilitating peer connections in an anonymous, secure, easy-to-use platform, we are helping organizations build a culture of psychological safety and early support.”
The application matches employees with trained peers based on job roles, experiences and language preferences. Users can track their wellbeing over time while maintaining complete anonymity during conversations.
Customized for different industries
Unlike one-size-fits-all wellness programs, PeerOnCall adapts its content and resources to specific workplace environments. The platform’s administrative features allow employers to monitor usage trends and identify potential workplace issues early, though individual conversations remain private.
“Expanding peer support into more diverse organizational settings is a critical part of building healthier, more responsive workplaces,” said Maggie Inrig, Senior Director of Population Mental Health Innovation at Stepped Care Solutions. “As we continue to develop PeerOnCall, we’re guided by data-informed insights and the understanding that every organization is unique.”
Ongoing research
McMaster University researchers plan to continue studying the platform’s effectiveness as it expands into new workplace settings. The research will examine how mobile technology and peer support programs impact workplace mental health across different industries.
“We are excited to keep studying the implementation and impact of PeerOnCall as an innovative tool to address workplace mental health,” said Sandra Moll, Professor in the School of Rehabilitation Science at McMaster University. “Building on the learning to date about peer support in public safety will inform expansion into a broader range of workplace settings.”
Stepped Care Solutions operates as a not-for-profit organization and uses a cost-recovery model for the platform. The company specializes in mental health system transformation through its Stepped Care 2.0 model, which combines collaboration and technology to improve access to mental health services.
