Mental Health Support
News and information about COVID-19 is coming at us quickly. It can be hard to keep up and it can be even harder to remain calm. Stress, anxiety, and depression are not unusual, but there are things we can do to deal with stress and support one another during these challenging times. Here are some resources that can help.
Your Monday Mental Health Moment is a series of articles by CLAC representative Quentin Steen, who is a certified mental health first aid instructor for the Mental Health Commission of Canada. Check them out for tips to help you navigate through the emotional turmoil of the pandemic.
Stronger Minds features videos and quick reads from mental health experts, activities to help you gain resilience, and ask-an-expert videos in response to questions.
WellCan offers free well-being resources to help Canadians develop coping strategies and build resilience to help deal with uncertainty, mental health, and substance abuse concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Wellness Together Canada: Mental Health and Substance Use Support provides free online resources, tools, apps, and connections to trained volunteers and qualified mental health professionals.
The Canadian Association of Mental Health provides answers to many frequently asked questions about the emotional impact of the pandemic.
As a CLAC members with a CLAC benefits plan, you have access to the employee and family assistance program (EFAP). Here you can access additional mental health tools and support.
British Columbia
Enhanced virtual services will help all British Columbians with mental health needs arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, with a focus on adults, youth and front-line health care workers.
Alberta
The government has improved access to phone and online supports with existing helplines, including the Addiction Helpline, the Mental Health Helpline, the Kids Help Phone.
Saskatchewan
The province’s website provides links to many mental health support services for residents.
Manitoba
The province is offering a free Virtual Therapy program to all residents age 16 or older who are experiencing mild to moderate symptoms of anxiety.
The Klinic Crisis Line is available 24/7 to Manitoba residents experiencing a mental health crisis. Call 204-786-8686 or 1-888-322-3019.
The Manitoba Suicide Prevention & Support Line is another confidential, toll-free resource. Call 1-877-435-7170.
The Canadian Mental Health Association has a library of resources specific to Manitoba. Visit their website or call 204-982-6100 for more information.
If you are dealing with mental health issues related to addiction, reach out to the Manitoba Addictions Helpline at 1-855-662-6605.
Ontario
The province has launched a Roadmap to Wellness: A Plan to Build Ontario's Mental Health and Addictions System, which provides a clear path forward toward offering Ontarians easier access to standardized, high-quality mental health care and supports. Many other mental health support services, including a free Virtual Therapy program, are available free of charge at this time.