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Elizabeth Eldridge is a Certified Psychological Health and Safety Advisor and Professional Speaker.    Following her Bachelor degree at Acadia University, Elizabeth completed her clinical music therapy internship in Mental Health Recovery Services at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Hamilton, Ontario, which ignited her passion for mental health.  In her role as an intern she gained invaluable experience working on an interdisciplinary team supporting clients diagnosed with various psychiatric conditions in outpatient, inpatient, and forensic settings.    She returned home to Charlotte County, New Brunswick in 2008 and established what has grown in to the province's largest music therapy practice, with a team of Certified Music Therapists who deliver clinical services throughout southern and central NB.

Fuelled by a desire to fight stigma, improve understanding and empower members of the public to provide support to persons in distress, Elizabeth founded Arpeggio Health Services in 2012.  She played a key role in making Mental Health First Aid and safeTALK Suicide Alertness training programs available in the Maritimes and has personally delivered these programs to more than 3,000 individuals.  Now boasting a diverse team of certified facilitators with a wealth of experience, Arpeggio Health Services has expanded its reach to include all four Atlantic Canadian provinces.  Elizabeth launched Summit Corporate Wellness in 2019, which focuses on assessing organizational needs and leading strategic planning and implementation of the National Standard on Psychological Health & Safety in the Workplace, Canada’s best practice guidelines for workplace wellness.    In her consulting role Elizabeth works with companies large and small that are striving to optimize workplace mental health to boost productivity, decrease absenteeism and improve employee engagement, retention and workplace culture.    In addition to holding certification as an instructor for several standardized mental health programs she has developed original workshops on mental health awareness, workplace wellness and resilience.  As a keynote speaker Elizabeth has taken the stage for conferences and other events hosted by WorkSafe NB, Workers Compensation Board of PEI, New Brunswick Career Development Association, J.D. Irving Ltd., Canadian Mental Health Association of Alberta, New Brunswick Construction Safety Association and the Atlantic Institute on Aging among many others.    Elizabeth’s poignant message, interactive approach and ability to deliver even the most sensitive subject matter in a way that feels non-threatening and accessible is consistently well received by participants and audiences.  She has been interviewed about her work by television and radio programs and has been profiled in a variety of local and national publications. Elizabeth has enjoyed sharpening her governance skills through volunteer work, having served on the Alzheimer Society of New Brunswick’s Board of Directors for six years and completing a two year term as President of the Canadian Association of Music Therapists in May 2019.    She is also an active member of the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers and the Eastern Charlotte Chamber of Commerce.

What does a mentally healthy workplace look like? Imagine... Employees are engaged and passionate about their jobs, often surpassing expectations and productivity markers set by management. Management, staff and all other players motivate one another and enjoy satisfying, reciprocal professional relationships. Sick time and disability claims are at an all-time low and employee retention rates are the envy of other organizations. Morale and employee satisfaction are so exceptional that attracting qualified candidates is a breeze when vacancies come up. You develop a stellar corporate reputation and are recognized as a leader in your industry and a great place to work. Your organization absolutely thrives! Sounds good, right?

This session will equip you with the necessary tools to be proactive about workplace wellness and foster a psychologically safe work environment. Mental health issues account for about one third of all disability claims in Canadian workplaces, and 70% of the total costs. In addition to the impact of absenteeism, many organizations are experiencing diminished productivity, disengagement and other effects of “presenteeism”—employees being physically present at work but functioning below their capacity due to mental distress. Employers have a duty to make reasonable accommodations for health conditions whether physical or mental in nature but offering support and implementing accommodations can be complex when it comes to mental health concerns. Topics covered in this session will include:

• Mental health: what it is, its place in our overall health and its impact in the workplace
• Stigma, and the blatant and more subtle forms this type of discrimination can take
• Legal responsibilities and rights of the employer and employee, including the duty to inquire, duty to make reasonable accommodations
• Understanding depression and anxiety, the most common mental disorders in Canada 
• Talking about mental health problems in the workplace: practical conversation tools 
• Connecting employees with professional support: who, what, when and how?
• Resources, next steps and easy-to-implement strategies to be proactive (vs. reactive) and promote positive mental health at work and at home 

Join Psychological Health & Safety Consultant Elizabeth Eldridge for a thought provoking morning exploring the many implications of mental health at work and its relevance to your role as a Human Resource Professional.

This session would appeal to: HR Professionals, Business Leaders, Managers / Administrators, Business Owners, Consultants, Students, Union Leadership.