Cowes,
We wanted to take a moment to do a mental health check… how are you REALLY doing? It has been a very long two years of this global pandemic which has taken its toll on us in various ways. As we face yet another lockdown here in Ontario, many of us are scrambling to deal with business closures, find childcare and ultimately, just keep it together for the sake of our sanity and those around us. However, we also understand that everyone’s circumstances are quite different, and while some of us are working from home with kids also at home, others might be living alone and finding the isolation quite challenging.
We’ve put together a list of day-to-day tips and suggestions to help maintain your sanity and give you a glimpse of motivation to keep putting one foot after the other.
- Our latest post gives you tips on How to Feel Motivated to Do Anything Right Now.
- Want to get reading but don’t know where to start? Here are 10 Books We Love by Black Authors.
- If you’re struggling with your New Year’s diet resolutions and the woes of this pandemic, then listen to this CWC+Friends podcast episode where we decided… there’s no right way to diet during a pandemic!
- Are you tired of trying to put yourself out there and navigate the joys of COVID dating? We totally get it… listen to this episode of C.W.C. + Friends where the trio tackles dating during a pandemic.
- If you’ve been sitting on a new business idea, check out this post for some motivation on how to launch a new product or service in a pandemic.
- Check out Coco’s TikTok and Instagram reels for inspo in the kitchen!
- Movies you should watch now for when you feel like having that movie marathon Sunday.
- Coco’s tips on dealing with all of the COVID feels.
- Listen to us keep it real as always and discuss the impact of COVID on our team’s lives and mental health.
- If you’re thinking about therapy and have wondered the differences between psychologists and psychotherapists, look no further, Cowes! Listen to this podcast episode where we had a conversation with Meghan Watson M.A. on Psychotherapy, body-based healing techniques and what to look for when finding a therapist.
We also wanted to take a minute to remind you that no matter how hard, lonely and frustrating it may get- we promise you, you are not alone. We have compiled a list of Canadian resources for anyone seeking confidential support. We want to encourage you to open up and have these hard conversations, especially in such trying times. Mental health is just as important as physical health, Cowes!
Hang in there, and we can get through this together.
Canada-Wide
- The Canada Suicide Prevention Service supports any person who is affected by suicide with their 24/7 distress, crisis and suicide prevention line services- 1.833.456.4566.
- Text Services: 45645 (4pm – 12am ET).
- Wellness Together Canada provides mental health and substance use support- 1-866-585-0445.
- Hope for Wellness offers immediate mental health counselling and crisis intervention to all Indigenous peoples across Canada– 1-855-242-3310
- Canadian Indian Residential Schools Crisis Line provides support for former Residential School students– 1 (866) 925 4419.
- Youth Space is an online crisis & emotional support chat service.
- Youth Text (6pm-12am PT): (778) 783-0177.
- Youth Chat (6pm-12am PT): www.youthspace.ca.
- Kids Help Phone offers e-mental health services that are available 24/7 across Canada. This means that we’re here for kids, teens and young adults – 1-800-668-6868.
- Text Services: Text “CONNECT” to 686868.
- Trans LifeLine is a non-profit organization offering direct emotional and financial support to trans people in crisis – for the trans community, by the trans community.- 1 (877) 330 6366.
Ontario
- ConnexOntario provides free & confidential health services information for people experiencing problems with alcohol & drugs, mental illness or gambling- 1-866-531-2600.
- O.N.T.X. Ontario Online & Text Crisis Service offers instant support and a variety of services for anyone feeling lonely, depressed, struggling with suicidal ideation, or otherwise in need of Help.
- Crisis Chat (2 pm – 2 am ET): www.dcontario.org/ontx.html.
- Crisis Text (2 pm – 2 am ET): 258258.
- Good2Talk Helpline provides free, confidential support services for post-secondary students in Ontario and Nova Scotia- 1-866-925-5454 or text GOOD2TALKON to 686868.
- LGBT Youthline Ontario offers confidential and non-judgemental peer support through telephone, text and chat services- 647-694-4275.
- Gerstein Crisis Centre crisis workers are available 24/7, 7 days a week, as well as over-the-phone interpretation services, are available 24/7 in over 180 languages – (02) 6311 1.
- Toronto Distress Centres offers emotional support, crisis intervention and suicide prevention, intervention & postvention– 416-408-HELP (4357).
- Canadian Mental Health Association – Ontario Division is a non-profit, charitable organization committed to making mental health possible for all.– 416-977-5580.
British Columbia
- BC Suicide Line is available for anyone considering Suicide or is concerned about someone who may be. 1-800-784-2433.
- The Interior Crisis Line Network is your community safety net of C.A.R.E., providing Confidential, Accessible, Research-based, Empowering support for people in the Interior Region of BC. by Phone or chat.
- Crisis Chat (5 pm to 9 pm P.T.).
- 1.888.353.CARE (2273).
- Vancouver Crisis Centre provides immediate access to barrier-free, non-judgemental, confidential support and follow-up through 24/7 phone lines and online services.
- Crisis Chat (12 pm to 1 am P.T.)
- Northern BC Crisis Center is a safe, confidential and non-judgmental crisis line to discuss anything troubling you. 1-888-562-1214.
- Youth Support: (250) 564-8336.
- The Vancouver Island Crisis Society provides short-term non-judgemental support, crisis intervention, information, and resources.
- Crisis Chat (6 PM – 10 PM PT).
- Crisis Text: (250) 800-3806.
Quebec
- Preventing Suicide provides information and support to people with suicidal thoughts and behaviours, people who are worried about someone or have lost loved ones to Suicide, and professionals who work with vulnerable clients. 1-866-277-3553.
- Text- 1 855 957 5353.
Manitoba
- M.B. Farm, Rural & Northern Support Services provides telephone and online counselling to farmers, rural and northern Manitobans (M-F 10 am – 9 pm C.T.):
- Online crisis chat: supportline.ca.
- Phone: 1-866-367-3276.
- If you are struggling with suicidal ideations, concerned about a loved one or have been impacted by a suicide loss or attempt, Reason to live is available 24/7. 1-877-435-7170.
Nova Scotia
- Mental Health Crisis Line provides crisis intervention for children, youth and adults experiencing a mental health crisis or mental distress.1-888-429-8167.
New Brunswick
- Suicide Prevention CHIMO Helpline can provide a listening ear, helpful information, crisis intervention and referrals to resources in the province of N.B. 1-800-667-5005.
- Fredericton Area (24 hours): 450-HELP (4357).
Northwest Territories
- N.W.T. Helpline offers free support to residents of the Northwest Territories, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is 100% free and confidential. The N.W.T. Helpline also has an option for follow-up calls. 1-800-661-0844.
Alberta
- Mental Health Helpline is a 24 hour, 7 days a week confidential service that provides support, information and referrals to Albertans experiencing mental health concerns.: 1-877-303-2642.
- Distress Centre Calgary provides 24-hour crisis support, professional counselling, youth peer support and referrals through 211 and our programs at SORCe – all at no cost.
- Crisis Chat Support (Starting at 3 pm M.S.T.)
- Crisis Text & Chat Support (Starting at 3 pm M.S.T.): www.calgaryconnecteen.com.
- Edmonton & Northern Alberta
- C.M.H.A. Edmonton Region is a 24-hour CRISIS line providing immediate support for anyone in a crisis… those contemplating Suicide, feeling overwhelmed or experiencing abuse. 1-800-232-7288.
Newfoundland & Labrador
- Provincial Mental Health Crisis Line is a free, confidential service for individuals, family and friends. The crisis line is province-wide, 24 hours a day 1-888-737-4668 or (709) 737-4668.
Saskatchewan
- Regina Mobile Crisis Services– Crisis Suicide Helpline supports any individual or family that requires mental and emotional support. (306) 525-5333.
Saskatoon Crisis Intervention Service Crisis Line (24 hours) is for anyone experiencing a crisis. The response occurs over the telephone, in the office, or in the community (within Saskatoon City limits): (306) 933-6200.
Yukon
- Canadian Mental Health Association The Reach Out Support Line operates with volunteers trained to listen and provide the support that assists callers to find options and make a plan to move forward, no matter how big or small the issue.– 1-844-533-3030.
Online Apps and Services
- Better Help strives to make professional therapy accessible, affordable, and convenient — so anyone who struggles with life’s challenges can get Help anytime and anywhere.
- The LifeLine Canada offers guides, tools and resources throughout this site represent a compilation of resources from various sources across the Globe, as noted.
Online Peer Support
Big White Wall Canada is a global, 24/7 community of ordinary people, moderated by clinical professionals, where people can get (or give) the mental health support they really need.
xx
The Cowe