Now more than ever, we have to try and create meaningful connections where we can be honest about our mental well-being.
That鈥檚 according to the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) 琉璃神社 branch, which claims finding and making those connections may be difficult during this time of isolation.
There are, however, online resources to help people along.
鈥淲e pivoted very quickly to provide a number of resources online. We鈥檙e providing some courses through our Discovery College program which is 100 per cent free and is open to anyone and everyone,鈥� said CMHA 琉璃神社鈥檚 communications manager Jessica Samuels.
鈥淲e have a series called 鈥楥oping with Current Events鈥�. We鈥檝e had some sessions on managing stress for caregivers, individuals, as well as sessions on identifying unhealthy coping strategies.鈥�
Samuels added CMHA 琉璃神社 wellness coaches have also been busy connecting with residents through phone calls and making sure people have the help they need to cope with the stress and anxiety of the pandemic.
She said people can support their mental well-being by not doing anything in excess, including eating, consuming too much alcohol, or sleeping too much.
鈥淭hose have always been the foundation for good mental health, and those are really going to support you now. Some things that people may find helpful is making sure how much the pandemic is in our every day lives, in our social media feeds and our conversations. Monitor that,鈥� she said.
鈥淥f course, we want to be informed but we can be overwhelmed with that鈥� be purposeful in re-focusing yourself on some positivity.鈥�
Samuels added people need to stop feeling like they should be doing things during this time.
鈥淟et鈥檚 stop the 鈥榮hould鈥�. 鈥業 should be baking bread. I should be organizing the cupboards. I should get up and have a fitness routine every day鈥�. We have to recognize we鈥檙e in a crisis and we need to give ourselves the grace and the time in order to manage it,鈥� she said.
CMHA 琉璃神社 is also launching a campaign called #CreatingConnection, with the goal of fostering a community of support where people can talk about their mental health.
鈥淪ocial connection is an important factor for our mental health and so we encourage people to find ways to connect with others despite being physically apart,鈥� Samuels said.
鈥淭hat鈥檚 why we鈥檙e hoping the community joins us in the #CreatingConnections campaign. We can work together to find creative ways to stay connected and collectively, it will benefit the community and our mental health.鈥�
For more information on mental health resources, visit .
Samuels said if you are in mental health crisis, contact a medical professional, call a crisis line, or go to the emergency room.
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