British Columbia – People working in British Columbia’s forestry sector have faced a period of disruption in recent years, including mill curtailments and closures, workforce reductions, and ongoing economic uncertainty. These pressures, combined with a continuing barrage of bad news about politics, finances and the environment, can contribute to increased stress and feelings of uncertainty among forestry workers across the province that can manifest as mental health concerns, such as depression or anxiety. In response to this growing need, the BC Forest Safety Council (BCFSC) in partnership with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors and the BC Municipal Safety Association have introduced ‘Connection to Care’, a free, anonymous and confidential mental health call-in program available to all forestry workers in British Columbia.
With May being Mental Health Awareness Month, the Forest Enhancement Society of BC (FESBC) wanted to recognize the importance of initiatives like this one that prioritize workers’ mental health and well-being.
“As someone who has experienced recurring depression, I understand the importance of creating space for open and honest conversations,” shared Jason Fisher, Executive Director, FESBC. “For me, depression is a force that causes me to become socially isolated and pull away from the friends, family, and co-workers who could otherwise provide support. It is not easy to talk openly and honestly about how we are feeling and people in the forestry sector have faced considerable stress and uncertainty in recent years. I believe that having access to a resource specifically designed for forest workers could make a real difference in the lives of those who need help and I would strongly encourage anyone who is experiencing persistent negative thoughts and feelings to consider reaching out.”
Mental health concerns can affect anyone at any time. For workers in the forest sector, the hidden demands of day-to-day life and the current state of the economic climate can take a deep emotional toll that can be heightened by job insecurity and family stresses, rapidly changing work conditions, long hours, physical fatigue, and reduced community health services in affected forestry towns. These overlapping pressures can contribute to symptoms like worry, trouble sleeping, difficulty concentrating, low mood, lack of enjoyment and social withdrawal, any of which, if persistent, may indicate that support may be beneficial. However, such impacts are not always readily recognized or addressed.
“The goal of Connection to Care is to provide forestry workers with access to personalized support,” shared Michele Fry, Communications Director, BCFSC. “Whether individuals are dealing with job uncertainty, family pressures, or simply not feeling like themselves, this service is designed to connect them with appropriate resources.”
Organizations and supervisors who recognize mental health as an integral component of workplace safety and well-being can help foster environments where individuals feel more comfortable acknowledging challenges and seeking support.
“Making it easier to share how we are really doing and talk about mental health is the first step to helping more people get the help they need,” added Fisher.
That is why Connection to Care offers care to anyone who needs it, regardless of whether they have company health insurance coverage, access to an Employee and Family Assistance Program, or a dedicated health professional.
“B.C.’s forestry workers have always shown exceptional strength but mental health affects everything: decision-making, focus, relationships, physical safety and the ability to work productively and safely. When workers feel supported, workplaces become safer, families become stronger and communities become more resilient, and sometimes a simple phone call may be all it takes,” added Fry.
For more information, visit www.connectiontocare.ca
About the BCFSC
The British Columbia Forest Safety Council (BCFSC) is the Health and Safety Association (HSA) for forest harvesting, sawmills and wood pellet manufacturing in British Columbia. The BCFSC works with forest sector employers, workers, unions, contractors and provincial government agencies to support industry in implementing changes necessary to eliminate fatalities and serious injuries in the forest sector. Learn more at https://www.bcforestsafe.org/
About FESBC
The purposes of FESBC are to advance environmental and resource stewardship of B.C.’s forests by preventing and mitigating the impact of wildfires; improving damaged or low-value forests; improving habitat for wildlife; supporting the use of fibre from damaged and low-value forests; and treating forests to improve the management of greenhouse gases. FESBC has been granted millions of dollars in funding and has partnered with the governments of B.C. and Canada to support hundreds of projects throughout B.C. to date. To learn more, subscribe to FESBC’s monthly newsletter or follow FESBC on social media:LinkedIn | Facebook | BlueSky
FESBC would like to gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Forests.