My NAV CANADA Peer Support

Chemical Dependency Education & Rehabilitation Program (CDERP)

The Chemical Dependency Education and Rehabilitation Program (CDERP) is designed for all employees with a chemical dependency problem.

CDERP:

provides employees with support when they return to work;
ensures employees with a chemical dependency problem who fall under civil aviation medicine (CAM) guidelines experience an earlier return to operational ATC duties following initial treatment; and
increases awareness of existing resources for the prevention, early identification, assessment and rehabilitation of chemical dependency problems.

How does the program work?

Each region has a team consisting of a CDERP physician, a manager representative, an Employee Health and Wellness Coordinator and a team of peers. The peers are selected from a roster of identified volunteers who have received specific training regarding chemical dependency. Team members are knowledgeable in the area of chemical dependency, and have a supportive role during the rehabilitation process.

Employees with a chemical dependency problem who choose to participate in CDERP enter into a Compliance Agreement, which sets out the requirements. They also agree to enlist the help of a Follow-up Support Team. This team, chosen by the participant, consists of a physician and one or two support-team members.

Resources

*Accessible only from a NAV CANADA computer connected to the NAV CANADA Intranet (on-site or by VPN)

What is the CISM Peer Support Program?

It is a team of peers ready to help any NAV CANADA employee involved in a critical incident.

CISM peers provide information on critical incident stress and ways to cope with its symptoms. All CISM peers are volunteers trained to support you during times of stress. All discussions with CISM peers are strictly confidential. A CISM peer can also connect you with other support services if needed.

What to remember following a critical incident

Connect with the CISM Peer Support Program.
Understand and expect the incident to affect you.
Remain close to your family, friends and co-workers.
Give yourself time to heal.
Relax and take time to enjoy the things in life that are important to you.
Try not to become preoccupied with the incident.
Be aware of your emotional state before returning to work.
Seek additional help through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) or an Employee Health and Wellness Coordinator, if needed.

Resources

*Accessible only from a NAV CANADA computer connected to the NAV CANADA Intranet (on-site or by VPN)

Light the Way

Do you or a loved one struggle with depression, anxiety, burnout, bipolar disorder, autism spectrum disorder, or any other mental health challenge? Light the Way is NAV CANADA’s mental health peer support program for employees struggling with personal or family mental health challenges.

Those who look to Light the Way for help are tapping into the support and understanding of people who have experienced a similar mental health challenge, either personally or through a loved one. These Peer Supporters have volunteered to share their experiences to help others facing a similar challenge. This shared experience provides common ground for a dialogue, as does being employees of NAV CANADA.

A Peer Supporter will:

build a relationship with a colleague, based on confidentiality, trust, respect, genuineness and empathy;
help a colleague to explore and understand their options in terms of treatments and/or support systems;
explore existing resources and empower colleagues to access appropriate services or community organizations;
support colleagues as they work through complex issues and difficult times; and
help to identify strengths and desires, and empower the colleague to find their path to recovery.

The Light the Way program provides all Peer Supporters with initial training and ongoing skill development. It is important to remember that peer support is not a replacement for clinical or medical support.

Resources

*Accessible only from a NAV CANADA computer connected to the NAV CANADA Intranet (on-site or by VPN)

THRIVE

THRIVE is a confidential program for air traffic services (ATS) students and instructors who are involved in any operational training. The peers are volunteers who provide support and mentor students and instructors throughout their training.

THRIVE is not intended to be therapy, but peers are "trained listeners" who can spot needs and provide both moral and practical support to address those needs.

Any air traffic controller or flight service specialist - operational or non-operational - can become a peer. They can also be a CISM, Light the Way or CDERP peer at the same time.

If you are interested in becoming a peer, please contact a Thrive Coordinator in your region.

Coordinators and Management Representatives of THRIVEOpen a new window*

*Accessible only from a NAV CANADA computer connected to the NAV CANADA Intranet (on-site or by VPN)