COVID-19 has presented unprecedented issues and concerns for our community, our country and the world. As we focus on keeping ourselves healthy and containing the spread of COVID-19, we must also keep ourselves mentally well.

If this is a​ mental health emergency, safety is the immediate concern and help is needed now – call 911 or go to your hospital emergency department.

The uncertainty about the COVID-19 virus, significant alterations to daily routines and structures, and changes to social interactions with important people in our lives can result in accumulated stress.

 

There are things that we can all do to benefit mental health:​

• Exercise and eat​ healthy

• Maintain good sleep habits

• Practice gratitude and mindfulness

• Connect with family and friends virtually or over the phone

• Prevent and manage stress when it happens

 

YRDSB Psychological Services and Social Work Services

YRDSB Psychological Services and Social Work professionals are continuing to offer mental health support to our students. They will be reaching out to check in on students on their current caseload through telephone contact.  Psychology and Social Work professionals will be reaching out to students on their current caseload first. In the coming days, Psychology and Social Work professionals will be working with schools regarding how to support students who may be experiencing emerging mental health needs. For more information please contact your school principal. 

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Mental H​ealth Reso​urces

The following resources may be helpful:

• Tips for speaking with your child about COVID-19

• List of Community mental health and financial supports​

• Student Mental Health Newsletter - April 2020 (PDF) 

• Student Mental Health Newsletter - June 2020 (PDF) 

• Summer 2020 Mental Health Groups​

• Student Mental Health Newsletter - January 2021 (PDF)​

• April 2021 - Social Connection and the Power of a Listening Ear

• Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week is May 3-7, 2021

• June 2021: Hope for the Future: Beyond Academic Loss

 

Equity and anti-Stigma Considerations

• Equity-informed responses to COVID-19 from National Collaborating Centre for Determinants of Health

• Equity Informed Resources from National Collaborating Centre for Determinants of Health

• Social stigma associated with COVID-19 (PDF)​ from World Health Organization, UNICEF & IFRC

 

Online Mental Health Resources

You may also find these resources helpful:

• ​How to Support Student Mental Health during COVID-19​ from School Mental Health Ontario

• COVID-19 and mental health information from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health

• Children’s book about COVID-19 (available in several different languages)

• Tips to manage mental health during COVID-19  from the Canadian Mental Health Association 

• Triple P Resources for Families during COVID-19 

 

T​ips from the Crisis Prevention Institute for Parents/Caregivers to manage challenging behaviors at home​: 

• Seven Principles for Effective Verbal Intervention

• De-escalation Tips in Light of Coronavirus Anxiety

• Managing Your own Anger – A Guide for Parents

• The Power of Listening – A Guide for Parents

• CPI’s Top 10 De-escalation Tips​

• 4 Tips for De-escalating Behaviour

There are also many community resources available to support students and families with issues surrounding mental health and addictions, including resources for students and parents/guardians​.

 

There are also a number of free mental health apps that you may find helpful:

• List of child friendly apps to help with anxiety 

• Virtual Hope Box promotes coping, positive thinking, relaxation and distraction (all ages)

• My3-Support Network lets you stay connected to your network when in times of crisis (all ages).

• Breathe2relax is a stress management tool to help learn diaphragmatic breathing (all ages)

• Mindshift CBT - Anxiety Canada - Mindfulness, mood tracking, manage anxiety, thought journal, coping cards, etc (teens and adults)​