COVID-19 Mental Health Support Resources
A pandemic can be a very stressful event for individuals and communities. It’s normal to feel some stress and anxiety. It’s also very common for people to show resiliency, creativity, and collaboration during times of crisis. Even though we cannot be next to each other, we still need to stay close emotionally. Stay in touch with each other and reach out if you need support.
All COVID-19 resources will also be listed in the BCACCS Resource Centre COVID-19 Subject Guide, searchable by keyword.
Online Resources
• The impact of COVID-19 on mental health
The First Nations Health Authority shared this video of Senior Medical Officer Dr. Nel Wieman of the FNHA describing the impact of COVID-19 on mental health.
• Staying Connected during the Pandemic
The First Nations Health Authority has created an information sheet about how Indigenous holistic practices can help ease feelings of personal, collective, and inter-generational stress during the pandemic.
• Child Mind Institute
Online resource for children’s mental health. They are also providing telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Responding to Stressful Events: Helping children cope
The Public Health Agency of Canada has a webpage with information to help children cope with stressful events.
• Family Sparks: Mental health resources
This is the place to find timely, clinically-based mental health articles for you and your family.
• The Wishing Star Lapointe Developmental Clinic
Virtual child and family therapy through Telehealth platform. Call 778-294-8732 or email [email protected]
• BC Children’s Kelty Mental Health Resource Centre
The BC Children’s Kelty Mental Health Resource Centre provides mental health and substance use information, resources, and help with mental health system navigation to families across BC.
• BC Child & Youth Mental Health clinic contact list
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, MCFD is committed to providing services to you wherever possible. They can meet you virtually, or by phone so that they can all follow the Provincial Health Officer’s direction to ensure physical distancing. Please call the nearest MCFD office to receive information about the services available to you and your family.
• COVID-19 and Mental Health: Considerations for Expectant and New Parents
This hand-out from Health Nexus discusses the usual stressors that come with pregnancy in conjunction with the current circumstances around the COVID-19 pandemic. Advice and facts on how to navigate the current landscape as expecting parents are shared.
• British Columbia Psychological Association
The Psychological Support Service offers “Psychological First Aid” telephone calls, free of charge, to any BC resident (19+) affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Fill in the brief form provided on the website to request a psychologist to call you back.
• Canadian Mental Health Association
CMHA has put together some resources and suggestions to help support your mental health at this time of uncertainty.
• BC Mental Health
Has a website with various online resources that can help you support your mental health through the pandemic.
• Anxiety Canada
This website has online resources to help self-manage anxiety.
• Recreational Respite
During these challenging times, the team of recreation therapists and community partners have come together to create unique interactive and innovative virtual (online) services that offer experiential outcomes through 1:1, mini groups (3) and small groups (6) and large groups (10). Theses services are for children, youth and adults with disabilities. Call 1-877-855-7070 or email [email protected].
• Crisis and Trauma Resource Institute
This website offers resources and webinars to support mental health during the pandemic.
• Wellness Together Canada: Mental Health and Substance Use Support
Canadians are being challenged in various ways because of isolation, financial and employment uncertainty and disruptions to daily life. Wellness Together Canada provides tools and resources to help get Canadians back on track. These include modules for addressing low mood, worry, substance use, social isolation and relationship issues.
• Managing COVID-19 Stress, Anxiety and Depression
The Ministry of Health and Addiction has created an information sheet Managing COVID-19 Stress, Anxiety and Depression with multiple resources to help people during this difficult time.
• On-Demand Webinar: Mental Health and Resilience During Covid-19
This webinar will explore key factors for understanding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Viewers will receive concrete guidance for building resilience and staying emotionally and mentally healthy during this stressful time, including insights for supporting children.
Support Hotlines
• KUU-US Crisis Response Service
Provides 24/7 culturally-aware crisis support to Indigenous people in BC. Call 1-800-588-8717.
• BC 211 phone Information Service
Provides information on government and community-based health and social services. Text or dial 2-1-1.
• Kids Help Phone
This hotline can provide young people with the mental health support they need during this difficult time. Text CONNECT to 686868 or call 1-800-668-6868.
• Healthlink BC 811
8-1-1 is a free-of-charge provincial health information and advice phone line available in British Columbia. Healthcare professionals will help you get the information you need to manage your health concerns, or those of your family.
• Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention
Provides barrier-free non-judgmental, confidential support through 24/7 phone line. Call 604-872-3311 in the Vancouver coastal region or dial 1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433) across BC.
• Battered Women Support Service
Battered Women’s Support Services (BWSS) Crisis line remains open, providing emotional support to women experiencing gender-based domestic violence and/or uncertainty during these difficult times. Call 604-687-1867, or 1-855-687-1868.