While we all play our part to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and keep our population physically healthy, the measures we are taking such as physical distancing, self-quarantine, and self-isolation may lead to new or heightened mental health concerns such as loneliness, anxiety, or depression. In a time where we are adjusting to new circumstances such as working from home, having our children home from school, and being unable to participate in group activities or team sports, it is important to be intentional and mindful about caring for your own wellness.
The Ontario Association for Suicide prevention wants to support you as you support your own mental health and support those within your household. You will find below a list of information and tip sheets that have been developed by grassroots organizations within Ontario, as well as provincial, and national support services that can be accessed virtually during this time.
Support Services offered online or by phone – Provincial and/or National Supports
Phone Services
- Crisis Services Canada (24/7) – 1-833-456-4566
- Trans Lifeline (10am-4am EST) – 1-877-330-6366
- Hope for Wellness Indigenous Help Line (24/7) – 1-855-242-3310
- Boots on the Ground Peer Support for First Responders (24/7) – 1-833-677-2668
Text Services
- ONTX Ontario Online & Text Crisis Services (available 2pm-2am EST) – Text 258258
- Crisis Services Canada (available 4pm-12am EST) – Text ‘START’ to 45645
Online Services
- ONTX Ontario Online & Text Crisis Services (available 2pm-2am EST) – dcontario.org/ontx.html
- Hope for Wellness Indigenous Online Chat Counselling (24/7) – www.hopeforwellness.ca
Ontario COVID-19 Mental Health Network – A network on licensed psychotherapists facilitating free mental health services via telephone for Ontario COVID-19 healthcare providers on the frontlines. To request support through this network, visit covid19therapists.com and click the ‘request support’ button.
Big White Wall – Big White Wall is an online mental health and wellbeing service offering self-help programs, creative outlets, and a community that cares. Visit bigwhitewall.ca to sign up.
Bounce Back Ontario – BounceBack® is a free skill-building program managed by the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA). It is designed to help adults and youth 15+ manage low mood, mild to moderate depression and anxiety, stress or worry. Delivered over the phone with a coach and through online videos, you will get access to tools that will support you on your path to mental wellness. Visit bouncebackontario.ca and submit an online form.
Woebot App – Woebot is an artificially intelligent chatbot delivered through a smartphone app that helps individuals monitor their mood and learn about themselves. It uses evidence-based cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) techniques to equip users with the tools they need and has been shown to reduce symptoms associated with anxiety and depression in just two weeks. Woebot is not a therapist and is not intended to replace in-person treatment. It is a tool to use alongside therapy sessions and post therapy support. Anyone can download the app for free at woebot.page.link/ontario.
Youth-Specific Resources
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Kids Help Phone
- Online: kidshelpphone.ca/live-chat
- Phone: 1-800-688-6868
- Text: CONNET (English) or PARLER (French) to 686868
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LGBTQ YouthLine (Sunday to Friday 4pm-9:30pm ET)
- Online: youthline.ca
- Phone: 1-800-268-9688
- Text: 647-694-4275
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Good2Talk Post-Secondary Student Line
- Phone: 1-866-925-5454
- Text: Text GOOD2TALKON to 686868
- WES for Youth Online Counselling: wesforyouth.ca
Resources providing tips, suggestions, or advice for staying well during COVID-19
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH): Mental Health and the COVID-19 Pandemic
- Centre for Suicide Prevention (Calgary): How to maintain mental health at home
- CMHA British Columbia: Pandemic pushing your anxiety buttons?
- CMHA Ontario: CMHA offers tips to support mental health amid concerns of COVID-19 pandemic
- CMHA Ontario: Understanding social distancing and the importance of social connection
- Mental Health Commission of Canada: COVID-19 mental well-being
- American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: Taking care of your mental health in the face of uncertainty
- CMHA National: 6 tips to respond to employee anxiety about COVID-19
- Kids Help Phone: How to cope with social distancing during COVID-19
Supporting children and youth
- Kids Help Phone: Supporting the young person in your life during COVID-19
- The Dougy Centre: Supporting grieving children and teens during the COVID-19 global health crisis *NOTE this is a U.S resource*.
- PLEO (Resource for parents seeking support for their children/youth with mental health challenges)
- https://www.pleo.on.ca/
If we have missed any resources that you feel should be added, please feel free to email them to ebrewersingh@wrspc.ca