Resources: Mental Health and Wellness During the Pandemic

Health Information

Up-to-date Health Information: 

• Alberta Health Services - COVID-19 information for Albertans
• myhealth.alberta.ca - a site built by the Alberta Government and Alberta Health Services for comprehensive, reliable and trustworthy health information and resources. 
• Health Link: Call 811 

Urgent Need/Crisis: 

• Alberta Health Services Help in Tough Times 
• Strathcona County’s List of Crisis Contact Numbers
• Edmonton 24 hour distress line: 780-482-4357
• Online crisis chat available online
• Mental Health Helpline: 1-877-303-2642 (toll free within Alberta)
• Crisis Addiction Helpline: 1-866-332-2322 (toll free within Alberta)
• Mental Health Crisis Team for Children and Youth (Crisis Team): 780-407-1000  (Available 7 days a week 8:00 a.m. – 11:30 p.m)

Financial and Community Resources for Families

Financial and Community Services Supports:

Financial Support Information: 

• Alberta income supports
• Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan (including information on Canada Emergency Response Benefit)
  
  
• Strathcona County Family and Community Services: 
  
• Phone: 780-464-4044
• Includes counselling support as well as navigation support for accessing other community resources (financial support, subsidies, housing, etc.) 
• Strathcona County Food Bank: 
• Phone: 780-449-6413
• 255 Kaska Road, Sherwood Park 
• Fort Saskatchewan Family and Community Services:
• Community Supports  - comprehensive list specific to Fort Saskatchewan including counselling support, family and youth support, seniors support, grocery deliveries, food bank and financial assistance.  
• COVID -19 support line: 780-992-6281
• Camrose & District Family and Community Support Services:
• Phone: 780-672-0141 
• Camrose list of specific mental health supports during COVID-19
• Vegreville Family and Community Support Services
• Phone: 780-632-3966
• Vegreville information on COVID-19 supports

Student and Family Resources

For Students: 

• “Coronavirus: A book for children”: For approximately 5 - 9 year olds
• “COVIBOOK”  For approximately 7 and under
• Tips for Kids: Website with age-appropriate information 
  
  

• Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868 (toll-free in Canada) or text 686868 or live chat on their website: www.kidshelpphone.ca

For Families:

• Parent/Caregiver Guide to Helping Families Cope During the Coronavirus:  Pages 4 and 5 have a helpful chart outlining different reactions according to age group (preschool up to adolescent) and some ways to support. 
• “Entertaining at Home”: Ideas for caring for your family while they are home from school and work
• Coping & Connection for Children and Families during COVID-19
• Supporting families during COVID-19: a variety of topics covered including navigating change and supporting learning at home 
• Talking to Kids about the Coronavirus
• Supporting teenagers and young adults during the coronavirus crisis
• Managing Emotions and Keeping Structure at Home During COVID-19
• Managing Screen Time: build a family media plan 
• Learning with Technology: resources and articles across age ranges from Common Sense Media
• Tips for Parenting during COVID-19
• Helping Children Cope with Stress during COVID-19

Well-being/Self-Care: 

• Tips for good sleep hygiene 
• Practicing gratitude - article on how gratitude can help you through hard times
• Self-Care Menu
• Guide for Parents: Physical Activity At Home During the COVID-19 Pandemic 

Mental Wellness and Supports

Specific Mental Health Resources and Services:

• Activities to Support your Mental Health: Simple and effective strategies 
• Text4Hope: Get daily texts that provide positive and supportive messages.   
• Centre for Online Mental Health Support: a newly developed website that provides evidence-based tools to help individuals (teen, adults, seniors) and families during this time. Free sessions for parents, teens and more available as well.  
• Access 24/7: Call 780-424-2424: 
• A single point of access for adult mental health services. 
• Children, Youth and Families Addiction and Mental Health Intake (Edmonton Zone): Call 780-342-2701 for information or to initiate a referral.  
• They are still accepting referrals for individual support but services are provided over the phone. 
  
  

Managing Anxiety:

• General tips for managing your own anxiety 
• General resources on anxiety   
• Supporting youth with anxiety disorders during COVID-19 
  
  

• Care for your Coronavirus Anxiety: Comprehensive website with resources for anxiety and your mental health specific to this time of pandemic. 

Other Professional Support: 

*Most communities offer counselling support - please refer to the Family and Community services listed above for community-based counselling support.  Resources listed here are in addition to community-based counselling support. 

• Psychologists’ Association of Alberta: Disaster Response Network  
• This is not a crisis line or a referral service but pro-bono support by volunteer psychologists of 1-3 sessions for those in need. 
• Focus on the Family - one-time free counselling over the phone with Christian counsellors.
• Free services being offered by Little Oak Psychology. 
• Mercy Counselling: the ministry of Catholic Social Services that provides counselling support.  If you are concerned about affordability, Mercy Counselling will work with you to determine eligibility for financial assistance. 
  
  

Helpful Blogs, Podcasts & Websites:

• Unlocking Us with Brene Brown
• How To Talk To Your Family and Kids About Coronavirus with Dr. Jody Carrington
• Random Acts of Kindness: Ideas for helping others while still being socially responsible and practicing distancing.  

Social Media Accounts:

• Dr. Jody Carrington: Facebook and Instagram 
• Dr. Brene Brown: Facebook and  Instagram