In the wake of COVID-19, the federal and provincial governments are increasing investment in virtual, telephone, and online mental health services so they can be accessed safety and without cost to everyone. A summary of these supports is provided below. Many of the supports targeting anyone, though some are indigenous specific, or age group specific.
ONTARIO
On May 6, 2020, the province announced that part of their $12 million investment in mental health support for COVID-19 would be dedicated to virtual and online mental health supports available to everyone in Ontario, as well as supports specific to health care workers, youth, and kids. More information will be forwarded on these supports as it becomes available. These supports can be accessed without cost immediately through the following:
ConnexOntario: 1-866-531-2600 or https://www.connexontario.ca/ (connects and directs towards services in Ontario appropriate for your need)
Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868 or https://kidshelpphone.ca/ (telephone and online chat support for youth and children)
BounceBack: 1-866-531-2600 or https://bouncebackontario.ca/ (self-led mental health training and resources online for ages 15 and over)
Big White Wall: https://www.bigwhitewall.com/?lang=en-ca?lang=en-ca?lang=en-ca (group support chats)
MindBeacon: https://www.mindbeacon.com/ (Internet based cognitive behavioural therapy)
Morneau Shepell: https://ontario.abiliticbt.com/home (Internet based cognitive behavioural therapy) Further information on the mental health supports in Ontario can be accessed here: https://www.ontario.ca/page/covid-19-support-people#section-4
FEDERAL
The First Nations Inuit Health Branch (FNIHB) of Indigenous Services Canada has launched a Hope for Wellness Help Line that is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week toll-free to offer counselling and crisis intervention.
Chat is available in English, Cree, Ojibway and Inuktitut by calling: 1-855-242-3310
You can also connect to the online chat at hopeforwellness.ca. The federal government has launched a mainstream online mental wellness portal called Wellness Together Canada. It provides free online resources, tools, apps and connections to trained volunteers and qualified mental health professionals. The portal is available here: https://ca.portal.gs/
CHIEFS OF ONTARIO
Chiefs of Ontario has developed a list of Indigenous specific resource books, tool guides, and regional-specific programs for mental wellness. This information is available here:https://www.coo-covid19.com/post/on-line-resources-for-indigenous-communities-mentalwellness-and-covid-19
