The COVID-19 pandemic is having a significant impact on all of us. Maintaining mental health is a challenge at the best of times, and the crisis exacerbates these struggles immensely. If you are struggling with mental health and addictions, we want you to know you are not alone – many of your friends and colleagues are experiencing the same struggles right now.
In normal times, 1 in 5 Canadians will struggle with mental illness. These illnesses are diseases and you deserve to get the help and support you need to manage these challenging times.
Each person’s struggle with mental health is different. Explore the resources below to find the support that is right for you.
| If you are in immediate danger call 911, if you are in distress and require urgent support right now | ||
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| Crisis Hotline www.crisisservicescanada.ca/en 1-833-456-4566 |
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| Kids Help Phone www.kidshelpphone.ca 1-800-668-6868 |
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| Wellness and Emotional Support (WES) for Youth Online www.wesforyouthonline.ca *Online only *Ontario residents only |
| Supports and Resources *This list is not meant to be exhaustive, it is a selection of resources available. |
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| The Centre for Addictions and Mental Health (CAMH) CAMH offers numerous answers to frequently asked questions and provides additional resources for a number of issues that can come up during times like this. www.camh.ca/en/health-info/mental-health-and-covid-19 |
| Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) CMHA provides advocacy, programs and resources that help to prevent mental health problems and illnesses, support recovery and resilience, and enable all Canadians to flourish and thrive. www.cmha.ca/?s=covid-19 |
| 211.ca Canada’s primary source of information on government and community-based health and social services. www.211.ca Dial 2-1-1 |
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Crisis Services Canada |
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Beacon - Modern Mind Health Stronger Minds by BEACON is a free digital program for all Canadians – to support your mental well-being through the COVID-19 crisis. |
| Lifeline Canada Provides resources in provinces across the country who can help you address your thoughts and other mental health concerns quickly. www.thelifelinecanada.ca |
| New Brunswick Info New Brunswick’s Community Services Database. www.NBinfo.ca *English only, for NB residents |
| Bridge the gApp An online resource designed to support mental wellness. https://ftq.qc.ca/coordonnateurs-et-coordonnatrices-du-reseau-des-deleguees-et-delegues-sociaux/www.BridgethegApp.ca *English only, for NL residents |
| Peer Delegates Peer Delegates are allies who can point members to helpful resources. Peer Delegate Website *French only, for Quebec residents |
| Unifor Mental Health Matters Booklet Provides important resources and guidance for people supporting others struggling with mental health and addictions. Download the booklet here |
| Addictions Supports |
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| My Recovery
MyRecovery.ca is running multiple, online English-language meetings every day. |
| Canadian Addictions Counsellor Certification Federation
This association has moved to provide virtual addictions counselling. |
| Peer Delegates
Peer Delegates are allies who can point members to helpful resources. |
Unifor recognizes that measures announced to combat COVID-19, importantly self-solation, can cause anxiety and, in some cases, lead to violence for those who are experiencing or are at risk of domestic abuse. Domestic abuse is unacceptable in any situation, regardless of stresses you or those around you are experiencing.
| Supports for those experiencing domestic violence |
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| Shelter Safe List of shelters and other domestic violence services across Canada. www.sheltersafe.ca |
| SOS Violence List of shelters in Quebec and other domestic violence resources. www.sosviolenceconjugale.ca *French only, for Quebec residents |
| Indigenous Women’s Support Program Crisis Line Connects Indigenous women to counsellors and support groups www.bwss.org/support/programs/indigenous-womens-programs/ *English only 604-687-1867 |
| Assaulted Women’s Helpline Has served as a free, anonymous and confidential 24-hour telephone and TTY crisis telephone line to all women in the province of Ontario who have experienced any form of abuse. www.awhl.org *For service in French visit Fem'aide (below). Multiple languages available, contact them directly to inquire 1-866-863-0511 | TTY: 1-866-863-7868 |
| Fem’aide Helpline for Domestic violence for Franco-Ontarians. www.femaide.ca *French only, Ontario only 1-877-336-2433 |
| Hope for Wellness Hotline The Hope for Wellness Helpline provides immediate help to all Indigenous people across Canada. Chat is available on the website. www.hopeforwellness.ca 1-855-242-3310 |
| Native Youth Crisis Hotline Available anywhere across Canada and answered by staff 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 1-877-209-1266 *English only |
| 211.ca Canada’s primary source of information on government and community-based health and social services. www.211.ca Dial 2-1-1 |
Certain communities, particularly those who are or are perceived to be Chinese or Asian, are experiencing stigma, racism, and prejudice because of the continued spread of misinformation related to coronavirus. As cases of COVID-19 are increasingly reported, so are cases of racist behavior – people are placing blame on communities who have nothing to do with the outbreak. As a global community, we need to wash our hands of stigma, racism, and prejudice.
To assist you, we have compiled a list of Canadian and provincial resources that provide services from a culturally sensitive, anti-racism and equity lens.
| Culturally Sensitive and anti-racist supports and resources |
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211.ca Canada’s primary source of information on government and community-based health and social services. www.211.ca Dial 2-1-1 |
Unifor If you are a member experiencing racism and discrimination in the workplace, please inform your local union, National Staff Representative and/or Unifor Human Rights Director as soon as possible. We will act swiftly to ensure you are protected and make certain your employer is taking immediate and appropriate action. HumanRights@unifor.org |
The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) CAMH offers numerous answers to frequently asked questions and provides additional resources for a number of issues that can come up during times like this. www.camh.ca/en/health-info/mental-health-and-covid-19 |
Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) CMHA provides advocacy, programs and resources that help to prevent mental health problems and illnesses, support recovery and resilience, and enable all Canadians to flourish and thrive. www.cmha.ca/?s=covid-19 |
NISA Helpline Nisa is there when no one else will listen. They assist in supporting, helping and creating a plan of action for the best possible solution. www.nisahelpline.com *English only |
Multicultural Mental Health Resource Centre The MMHRC provides resources to support culturally safe and competent mental health care for Canada's diverse population. www.multiculturalmentalhealth.ca/en/ |
Mental Health Programs for Aboriginal Peoples in Canada This database describes existing mental health promotion, prevention and intervention programs and models for Indigenous peoples in Canada. www.namhr.ca/mental-health-programs/ |
Stop the Spread As COVID-19 spreads globally, so too does racism and discrimination against the Chinese and Asian community. Stop the Spread is a project of the Chinese Canadian National Council for Social Justice working to stop the stigma and racism that is spreading due to COVID-19. www.stopthespread.ca *English only |
| Chinese Canadian National Council for Social Justice A national organization that educates, engages, and advocates for equity and justice for all in Canada. www.ccncsj.ca/wp *English only |