SafeCare BC Logo
SafeCare BC Logo
Resources & Tools

Resources and Tools

View All
Motor vehicle incidents are among the leading causes of traumatic workplace injuries and fatalities in BC. The Safe Driving for Work Checklist has been developed to help employers and their workers take proactive steps to manage driving-related risks. This checklist serves as a practical guide to reinforce safe driving practices and is designed to be used before, during, and after each trip.
Files Attached
View Checklist
In long-term care it is increasingly apparent that who is on shift is just as important as how many staff are on shift. Quality care is difficult to achieve when we do not routinely engage with one another in a positive, or civil, manner.
View Toolkit
Programs & Services

Programs and Services

View All
Register
Leading from the Inside Out
Leading from the Inside Out provides a safe space for leaders in continuing care to share their challenges and learn self-care practices.
View Service
The Provincial Violence Prevention Curriculum is recognized as best-practice in violence prevention training for health care workers.
View Service
Guidelines & Regulations

Guidelines and Regulations

View All
Amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation (OHSR), Part 5: Chemical Agents and Biological Agents – Emergency Planning came into effect on February 3, 2025. Changes include additional requirements to minimize the risk, likelihood, and harm caused by an emergency involving hazardous substances.   Hazardous substances include biological, chemical or physical hazards that may reasonably […]
View News Story
WorkSafeBC has acknowledged an error in calculating the 2025 insurance premiums that are paid by our two member employer groups–those providing community health support services (classification unit 766006) and those in long-term care (classification unit 766011).
View News Story
Safety Huddle

Psychological and social support for healthcare workers

This safety huddle explores the vital role of psychological and social support in the healthcare environment. It emphasizes that such support involves the assistance and encouragement received from colleagues, supervisors, and the organization, fostering a sense of belonging and value. Participants will discuss the importance of this support, learn to identify ways to offer and seek help, and understand how colleagues and supervisors contribute to a supportive atmosphere.

What is psychological and social support?

Psychological and social support refers to the assistance and encouragement we receive from our colleagues, supervisors, and the organization. It’s about knowing we’re not alone, that we have people we can rely on, and that our contributions are valued.

Instructions

Read the scenario out loud and use the guiding questions and key discussion points to discuss psychological and social support.

After this huddle staff should be able to:

  • Describe the importance of psychological and social support in the workplace.
  • Identify at least one way to provide and seek support in a work situation.
  • Explain the role of colleagues and supervisors in fostering a supportive environment.

Scenario

Cam, a care aide, has been feeling overwhelmed lately. She’s been picking up extra shifts, and she’s noticed many of her residents are experiencing increased anxiety.

One afternoon, after a particularly challenging shift, she confides in her colleague, James, during their break. “I’m just so tired,” she says, “and I feel like I’m not doing enough.” James listens attentively, shares that he’s also had some tough days, and suggests they grab a quick coffee together before their next round of duties.

Guiding questions

  • How might James’ actions have helped Cam?
  • What other ways can we offer psychological and social support to our colleagues?
  • What are some barriers that might prevent us from seeking or providing support?
  • How can we create a work environment where it is safe to speak up about challenges?
  • What resources are available to us if we need extra support?

Notes to the huddle leader

  • Encourage open and honest discussion.
  • Emphasize that providing support doesn’t always require solving problems; sometimes, simply listening is enough.
  • Highlight the importance of both formal and informal support systems.
  • Remind staff of the available resources, such as employee assistance programs or internal support networks.
  • Reinforce the idea that leaders play a key role in setting the tone for a supportive workplace.
  • Remind staff that checking in on each other is vital to a healthy work environment.
  • Ask participants to share when they received meaningful support at work.
Downloads
Psychological and social support for healthcare workers
This safety huddle explores the vital role of psychological and social support in the healthcare environment. It emphasizes that such support involves the assistance and encouragement received from colleagues, supervisors, and the organization, fostering a sense of belonging and value. Participants will discuss the importance of this support, learn to identify ways to offer and seek help, and understand how colleagues and supervisors contribute to a supportive atmosphere.
Download
528.3KB

More Safety Huddles

This SafeCare BC safety huddle provides guidance on how to utilize your Joint Occupational Health and Safety (JOHS) Committee to improve workplace safety. Learn how to report safety hazards, understand the role of the JOHS committee, and find JOHS resources. Ideal for healthcare workers and safety training.
Files Attached
View Safety Huddle
A strong organizational culture fosters employee engagement, collaboration, and productivity, while a weak or toxic culture can lead to dissatisfaction and high turnover.
Files Attached
View Safety Huddle
Learn about what bullying and harassment is and when to report it.
Files Attached
View Safety Huddle
Learn to recognize feeling unsettled, use effective self-settling strategies in situations self-setting may be helpful.
Files Attached
View Safety Huddle
Safety huddles are important because they focus on improving staff safety by creating solutions and opportunities to communicate, helping build a culture of safety, encouraging positive change within the workplace, and providing staff with a chance to share important information.
Files Attached
View Safety Huddle
People living with dementia can experience changes in how they understand and process language, which can affect how they communicate.
Files Attached
View Safety Huddle
Learn to follow proper hand washing procedures.
Files Attached
View Safety Huddle
Working with clients or residents and their families is not always easy. You may not be able to control how others act, but you can control how you respond.
Files Attached
View Safety Huddle
Browse by Resource Type
SafeCare BC Logo
©2025 SafeCare BC | All rights reserved.
We strive to empower those working in the continuing care sector to create safer, healthier workplaces by fostering a culture of safety through evidence-based education, leadership, and collaboration.
cross