If you, or someone you care about, are feeling overwhelmed with emotions like sadness, depression, or anxiety due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, please access the following organizations/resources:
Services
211 Ontario – Information and referral to mental health resources across Ontario
• Website
• Call 2-1-1 | Toll Free: 1-877-330-3213
• Live web chat | Email
Big White Wall – Online service for those with anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues
• Website
Canada Suicide Prevention Services
• Website
• Toll Free:1-833-456-4566
• Text: 45645 (4pm-midnight EST)
Canadian Mental Health Association – Non-profit organization committed to making mental health possible for all
• Website
Children’s Mental Health Ontario – Ontario’s publicly funded Child and Youth Mental Health Centres
• Website
Connex Ontario
• Website
• Toll Free: 1-866-531-2600
• Email | Chat
• Mind your Mind – online tools and apps to support youth mental health
Distress and Crisis Ontario – Find distress and crisis support in your region
• Website
Ontario Psychotherapy & Counselling Program (OPC) – Low-cost therapy from registered psychotherapists; online/phone therapy
• Website
Telehealth Ontario – Free medical advice
• Website
• Toll Free: 1-866-797-0000
Youth Mental Health Canada – Youth (all ages) mental health resources
ª Website
Resources
General
• Anxiety Canada: Self-management strategies like mindfulness, yoga, meditation, art, or exercise to manage anxious thoughts
• Calm your Anxious Mind | COVID-19
• Coping with Suicidal Thoughts
• Crisis & Trauma Resource Institute: Free resources – webinars, articles, YouTube etc.
• Dealing with COVID-19 Anxiety – How to Stay Calm
• Feeling anxious about the coronavirus? Experts offer tips to quell pandemic panic
• Psychological First Aid – Guide for Field Workers
• Talking to your Anxious Child About COVID-19
• Tips to Manage Mental Health during COVID-19
Helping Young Children
• How to Talk to Your Kids About Coronavirus, PBS Kids
• Talking to your anxious child about COVID-19, CMHO
• Covibook: Supporting and reassuring children around the world (in multiple languages), Mindheart
• How to Talk to Kids and Teens About the Coronavirus, Psychology Today
• How can we talk to kids about COVID-19? Be “realistically reassuring”, Canadian Paediatric Society
Resources for Teenagers and Youth
• Resources around me, Kids Help Phone
• How can I cope with my feelings about the future?, Kids Help Phone
• Tips on how to manage your mental health during COVID-19, Canadian Mental Health Association