Campground owners and operators across British Columbia gathered online May 29 for the BC Lodging and Campgrounds Association’s (BCLCA) Parking Lot Meeting to discuss workplace mental health.
The session featured a presentation from Ginger Brunner, CPHR, manager of industry HR & mental health at go2HR.
Brunner introduced the Mental Health Continuum, a visual tool designed to help employers recognize early signs of stress or distress in themselves and their staff.
She explained how shifts in mood, sleep patterns, behaviour or social interaction can indicate when intervention may be needed.
She also stressed the importance of addressing concerns early to maintain both employee well-being and safe workplace environments.
The discussion included WorkSafeBC’s Psychological Health & Safety Framework and practical strategies to support teams.
Among these was the “ask twice” approach, encouraging supervisors to check in more than once to uncover potential issues that may not surface in casual conversation.
Brunner underscored the need for confidentiality in mental health discussions. She noted that maintaining privacy builds trust and encourages employees to speak openly about their challenges.
Participants were also introduced to resources tailored for the tourism and hospitality industry. These included the Mental Health Continuum (PDF), which outlines stages of healthy functioning, reversible distress and the point where professional support may be required.
Other resources shared were “Having the Conversation – People Working Well,” a step-by-step guide for speaking with employees about mental health, and “Safety Talks,” three-to-five-minute videos with discussion guides to prompt conversations during pre-shift meetings.
Healthy coping strategies and the use of micro-breaks during high-demand periods were also highlighted. Brunner encouraged operators to integrate such measures to help staff maintain balance and reduce stress.
The webinar pointed attendees to free online mental health training courses developed for tourism and hospitality workplaces. Brunner recommended these as a way to build baseline awareness and skills across teams.
Operators were encouraged to take specific actions following the session, including posting the Mental Health Continuum in staff areas, scheduling regular one-on-one check-ins during peak seasons and promoting the People Working Well training modules.