For many people, the COVID-19 pandemic has led to feelings of stress, anxiety and isolation. Supporting mental health and wellness and is now more important than ever.
CLBC has created this webpage to help people find and connect with mental health information and resources all in one place. We will add to the list below as we become aware of new resources to share. If you have suggestions for information to be added to this page, please send an email to CLBCInfo@gov.bc.ca.
Anxiety Canada
Anxiety Canada is a leader in developing free online, self-help, and evidence-based resources on anxiety. See their website at www.anxietycanada.com for expert tools for managing anxiety.
MindShift CBT is a mobile app provided by Anxiety Canada that uses Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) strategies to help people learn to relax and be mindful, develop more effective ways of thinking, and use active steps to take charge of anxiety.
Learn more about the app and how to download it by clicking here.
Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA)
For people who are experiencing feelings of stress and anxiety in their day-to-day life, virtual care services are available to help. These services use technology such as video, telephone and messaging to provide health care when caregivers and clients cannot meet in person.
Find a list of virtual care resources from the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction here.
Canadian Mental Health Association BC (CMHA)
The CMHA has launched a special COVID-19 site to help people stay well in uncertain times. The page provides a wide variety of options for family caregivers about mental health care, and you can visit it at cmha.bc.ca/covid-19.
The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH)
The CAMH has a COVID-19 page which includes information on coping with stress and anxiety, quarantine and isolation, stigma and prejudice, as well as answers to frequently asked questions. Visit the page at camh.ca/en/health-info/mental-health-and-covid-19.
CAMH has also created a self-help booklet series for people with intellectual disabilities that can be used with the support of family members, friends, staff and health care professionals. The booklets give people with intellectual disabilities an opportunity to talk through their feelings and make plans for staying well at this difficult time. There is a how-to guide accompanying each booklet and titles in the series include “Feeling Anxious”, “Good Night’s Sleep” and “You can do it”.
All of these booklets can be found on the CAMH website here.
Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.)
The United States Centres for Disease Control and Prevention have create an information page to help people coping with the stress associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Although some resources may be specific to U.S. residents, much of the information will be helpful for everyone for coping with stress and managing their mental wellness. Visit the Coping with Stress page here.
Emotional support guide for seniors
B.C.’s Northern Health Authority has published a guide called “Emotional Support for Seniors: Practical Strategies for Anxiety and Stress Related to COVID-19.” The document includes advice on keeping routines, eating healthy and important information about support available from the provincial and federal governments. You can click here to download the guide.
Family Services North Shore
Family Services North Shore is offering up to six weeks of free counselling to help people coping with the stress of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Learn more about these counselling services, as well as other resources to support mental health, on their website at familyservices.bc.ca/covid-19-support
First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) substance use and prevention resources
The topic of substance abuse may trigger unpleasant feeling or thoughts. Those who need emotional support can contact the 24-hour KUU-US Crisis Line at 1-800-588-8717.
First Nations overdose deaths have almost doubled between January and May 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic arrived in B.C. and First Nations people are disproportionately represented in overdose deaths across the province. The FNHA has created a graphic which you can see here about the overdose crisis in B.C. First Nations communities and actions that are being taken.
Foundry
Foundry is a province-wide network of integrated health and social service centres for young people ages 12 to 24. Foundry centres provide a one-stop-shop for young people to access mental health care, substance use services, primary care, social services and youth and family peer supports. Learn more at foundrybc.ca.
Foundry is now offering virtual drop-in counselling sessions, peer support check-ins and group offerings to young people and their caregivers. Call 1-833-308-6379 to book an appointment or learn more about services available.If you’re in Vancouver, you can call 604-283-2234.
Sessions are available through voice, video and chat, and you can click here for more information.
Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC)
The Mental Health Commission of Canada has compiled a number of resources on their website here to support mental health during COVID-19, including: posters, infographics, tip sheets, training resources, webinars and more.
Mental Health First Aid COVID-19 self-care and resilience guide
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA), a program of the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC), aims to improve mental health literacy and provide the skills and knowledge to help people better manage potential or developing mental health problems in themselves, a family member, a friend or a colleague.
MFHA has created a COVID-19 Self-Care and Resilience Guide which you can read here.
Mindfulness Meditations
Mindfulness can be practiced in many different ways and can be done at almost any time to support mental health and wellbeing. To help people practice mindfulness at home, Dr. Dzung Vo from BC Children’s Hospital has recorded some of the mindfulness meditations that he uses with his mindfulness groups.
Click here to find all of these recordings, which you can listen to on your computer or mobile device.
Wellness Together Canada
Wellness Together Canada: Mental Health and Substance Use Support provides tools and resources to help Canadians address low mood, worry, substance use, social isolation and relationship issues.
Find more information and links to resources on their website at ca.portal.gs.
The Wellness Society
The Wellness Society has holistic and beautifully designed self-help, therapy and coaching tools, including a recently created Coronavirus Anxiety Workbook.
Find these resources on their website at thewellnesssociety.org