The first week of May was the Canadian Mental Health Association’s Mental Health Week and their message on the need for empathy was clear. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, we have witnessed a dramatic increase in sick leave and extended leave of absence requests from our clients from employees struggling with stress, anxiety, depression and overwhelm. It has been a tough, isolating and stressful couple of years with few people left untouched by the effects of COVID and other societal issues. Whether dealing with a sick family member, managing work-life balance while working from home, worrying about reduced revenues or income, contemplating social justice issues like racial equality and the trauma of residential schools, being horrified by the war in Ukraine, or suffering from general existential angst – we can relate. If you, your employees or anyone you know, is facing mental health challenges, please speak up, reach out, talk to a medical professional and get help.
Here are some useful mental health resources:
- Canadian Mental Health Association
- Mental Health Commission of Canada
- Workplace Strategies for Mental Health
- Urgent Help Resources:
- Call 911 if you need immediate help
- 310-Mental Health Support – Call 310-6789 for emotional support, information on appropriate referral options, and a wide range of support relating to mental health concerns.
- Canada Suicide Prevention Service – Call 1-833-456-4566 if you are thinking about suicide or are worried about a friend or loved one.
- KUU-US Crisis Line Society – Call 1-800-588-8717 for culturally-safe help and support for Indigenous people throughout BC.
- Here2Talk: Call 1-877-857-3397 if you are a student needing mental health support. They offer free, confidential counselling and community referral services 24/7 via app, phone or web.
Did you know?
The BC Parks Foundation launched PaRx, Canada’s first national nature prescription program, in November 2020 in BC, and expanding to other provinces in 2021. Participating doctors, nurses and other licensed health care professionals can prescribe an Adult Parks Canada Discovery Pass to their patients who would benefit from the positive mental and physical effects of spending time in nature. Ask your doctor for more information.
