If you are experiencing a mental health crisis right now, please see “Crisis Lines” at the bottom of this page.
During these unprecedented times, it’s no surprise that this situation has affected everyone mentally, emotionally, and/or physically. Over the course of the last several weeks, there has been a surge in demand for social workers, psychologists, and crises workers.
As a naturopathic doctor, we are still able to conduct telemedicine while in-person appointments are recommended against. In checking in with my patients, there is an unanimous sentiment of psychological struggle specific to this pandemic, staying at home, and social isolation. There is no doubt that others are struggling. I struggled to find a comprehensive list of resources to direct people to that catered to topics beyond the normal scope everyday living.
I recently came across COVID-specific mental health resources and I just couldn’t wait to share — takecare19.com is a website that was created by Vivian Ngai, initially as a crowd-sourced Google Doc sharing free/low-cost mental health resources to cope with COVID-19. I had reached out to her to ask if I could share some of the amazing resources she has graciously put together.
The following list has been tailored. For a more comprehensive list of resources, please visit takecare19.com.
Informational
- Coronavirus: How to protect your mental health
- Managing COVID-19 Pandemic Panic
- #COVIDdisability: Disability-Related Resources for Families
- Caregiver Mental Health During COVID-19 Outbreak
- Talking to your Anxious Child about COVID-19
- Being a Highly Sensitive Person During the COVID-19 Crisis
- Support for Kids with ADHD During Coronavirus Crisis
- Tips for Talking with your Child With Autism about COVID-19
Mindfulness & Meditation
Free apps
- Headspace
- Prana Breath (Android) — for guided breathing
- Balance (iOS)
- Calm
- Insight timer
Paid apps
- 10% happier
- Aura
- Buddhify
- Simple Habit
Education (free!)
- The Science of Well-Being (offered by Yale University)
- Mind Control: Managing Your Mental Health During COVID-19 (offered by University of Toronto)
- Mindshift: Break Through Obstacles to Learning and Discover Your Hidden Potential (offered by McMaster University)
- De-Mystifying Mindfulness (offered by Universiteit Leiden)
- …and more from Stay the F*** Home & Learn, a website dedicated to compiling a list of educational resources that are available for free or cheaper than usual due to COVID-19
Therapy
- COVID Therapists for Frontline Workers: pro bono initiative by Ontario-based mental health professionals
- 7 cups: connecting caring individuals for emotional support 24/7
- Big White Wall: online service for those suffering with anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues by creating a support network and access to professionals 24/7
- Umbrella Mental Health Network: offering online psychotherapy & e-counselling services by queer and trans-identified mental health professionals for those in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, intersex, asexual, two-spirited (LGBTQIA2S) community
Activity & Movement
- Downdog: exercise app that includes yoga, HIIT, barre (free download until June 1st, healthcare providers get free access until July 1st)
- Nike Training Club: creates a personal plan that adjusts to your progress and schedule, includes yoga, cardio, HIIT, strength training
- DoYogaWithMe: Free online yoga videos for 2 months
- 7 Minutes Workout app (Android)
Crisis Lines
- Crisis Text Line (24/7) — Canadians text 686-868, text HOME to 741-741 to connect with COVID-19 Crisis Counselor
- Toronto Distress Centre (24/7) – (416)-408-4357
- Kids Help Phone (24/7) – 1-800-668-6868
- Assaulted Women’s Helpline – dial #7233 (SAFE) on your Bell, Rogers, Fido, or Telus mobile, call toll free 1-866-863-0511
- Mental Health Crisis Line (Canada wide) – 1-888-893-8333