A number of National and Provincial Organizations have published resources and guiding documents to assist people with the mental health challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. We are publishing the links to some of them here. For more individualized supports for members and their families please consult your NSTU Group Insurance Plan for information regarding specific mental health supports and therapy.
Canadian Mental Health Association
COVID-19: Mental health and well-being
CMHA has put together some resources and suggestions to help support your mental health at this time of uncertainty.
https://cmha.ca/news/covid-19-and-mental-health
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH)
Mental Health and the COVID-19 Pandemic
The effort to address COVID-19 is both extremely important for us all and poses a range of challenges on individuals and families as they respond to the demands of the situation. The situation is stressful for everyone and it is normal to be anxious and worried. This site is designed to provide information and suggestions about how best to cope in this difficult time. It is not intended to be a resource for people who require screening for COVID-19 or are experiencing a mental health crisis. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact 911 immediately or present to your nearest emergency department.
https://www.camh.ca/en/health-info/mental-health-and-covid-19
Kids Help Phone
Kids Help Phone knows the news has been dominated by some triggering headlines lately. We also know that COVID-19 — a novel coronavirus (a.k.a. new virus) affecting people in Canada and across the world — is something that may be on your mind.
Supporting the young people in your life during COVID-19
Mental Health Commission of Canada
Choosing sources of information carefully is critical to COVID-19 mental well-being says Mental Health Commission of Canada
In the midst of COVID-19, it is increasingly difficult to avoid the bleak headlines and bright-red news banners. Staying informed is, after all, one way many of us try to win back a semblance of control. But while it’s natural to seek information about this unfolding public health crisis, we must also take steps to protect our mental health.
Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia
North American Center for Threat Assessment and Trauma Response
Kevin Cameron E-ALERT: Trauma-Informed Leadership for Helping Professionals: How to Sustain the Heroes Among Us.
This is the second of a SERIES of NACTATR™ Communications that will be released as circumstance warrants. As indicated in the work of VTRA™, “The better the data, the better the assessment and the better the assessment, the better the intervention.” As professionals from multiple disciplines across the continent are sharing their expertise and new experiences, we are also learning that the current pandemic has generated unique dynamics that need to be addressed. Most modern traumatic circumstances throughout North America were single incident tragedies. Tragedies, that while painful in the aftermath, were able to be contained because there was no ongoing threat (e.g. the aftermath of a shooting where within hours the gunman is in custody and there is no further threat, etc.) However, the pandemic before us is currently an ongoing threat which means we are delivering crisis response services while we are still under attack. Many are being required to do some regular tasks differently; not according to established protocol or tasks completely new to them. This generates additional anxiety and the higher the anxiety, the greater the symptom development. Hyperarousal and hypervigilance are common trauma symptoms even among the helpers and so is anxiety, fear and flight. Therefore, we need to help the helper while continuing to lead across the nation.
https://www.nactatr.com/covid19a2.html
Nova Scotia Health Authority
Coping with COVID-19
NSHA is working closely with the Department of Health and Wellness and other health system partners to respond to COVID-19.
We will continue to monitor this evolving situation and will respond in step with our partners.
http://www.nshealth.ca/coronavirus
