The stress of dealing with COVID-19 on a daily basis and seeing the news about its spread and impact in our communities can be difficult to manage.
Below are a collection of resources that can help you deal with stress, anxiety, depression and other mental health issues.
For front-line workers, the Government of British Columbia has made specific supports available to you, including:
- Bounce Back: A free evidence-based program designed to help youth and adults experiencing symptoms of mild to moderate depression, low mood or stress, with or without anxiety. Bounce Back teaches effective skills to help people improve their mental health. Call toll-free: 1 866 639-0522 or visit: www.bouncebackbc.ca.
- Living Life to the Full: An interactive, 8-week Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) course. This 90-minute group class is for anyone dealing with stress, anxiety or just needing help in dealing with life’s challenges. Available in English and French. https://livinglifetothefull.ca/our-courses
Healthcare workers have the following additional supports available:
- An online hub and virtual peer support network for frontline healthcare workers. There will be a phone and text-based peer support service, staffed by former long-term care and home support workers. It provides confidential emotional support to current workers. Peers can also help guide callers to other services and supports if needed.
- A Mobile Response Team (MRT) that will support the mental well-being and psychological safety of front-line health care workers who are experiencing exponential distress and mental health concerns in response to COVID-19. To access, call or email the Provincial Health Services Authority at 1-888-686-3022 Email: MRT@phsa.ca. This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Free online mental health first aid through the BC Psychological Association.
For additional support and for overall mental health hygiene, please check out these resources:
- HealthLink BC: Provides 24/7, confidential health information and advice. Call 8-1-1 or visit: www.healthlinkbc.ca.
- Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention Centre: Provides confidential, non-judgmental, free emotional support for people experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including thoughts of suicide. Call 604-872-3311 (Greater Vancouver), or toll-free 1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433), or visit: www.crisiscentre.bc.ca.
- The KUU-US Crisis Response Service: Provides 24/7 culturally aware crisis support to Indigenous people in B.C. Call 1-800-588-8717 or visit: www.kuu-uscrisisline.ca.
- Mental Health Digital Hub: A provincial website that provides information, services and education and awareness about mental health and substance use for adults, youth and children. www.gov.bc.ca/mentalhealth
- MindHealthBC: Vancouver Coastal Health Authority, Providence Health Care and community partners have created an online mental health counselling program. If you’re struggling with depression, anxiety, or other mental health or substance use challenges, please visit the website for information and recommendations for further support in Vancouver, Richmond and other coastal communities. www.mindhealthbc.ca
- Heretohelp: Provides information about managing mental illness and maintaining good mental health, including self-management resources and screening self-tests for wellness, mood, anxiety and risky drinking. www.heretohelp.bc.ca
- Health-related resources are available for Black Canadians through Black Lives Matter Vancouver. There are also resources available at https://blackyouth.ca/services/#our-services and https://blackhealthalliance.ca/covid-19/
- Women who are in unsafe family situations or experiencing intimate partner violence can reach out for support at https://www.bwss.org/support/
- LGBTQ2SI+ workers have access to support and counselling resources at https://egale.ca/awareness/lgbtqi2s-mental-health-tips-during-the-covid-19-pandemic/