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Your Mental Health & COVID-19
Emergencies are always stressful and in a pandemic it is common for individuals to feel stressed and worried. Some common responses but specific stressors particular to the COVID-19 outbreak may include:
- Risk of being infected and infecting others, especially if the transmission mode of COVID-19 is not 100% clear.
- Common symptoms of other health problems (e.g. a fever) can be mistaken for COIVID-19 and lead to fear of being infected.
- Caregivers may feel increasingly worried for their children being home alone (due to school closures) without appropriate care and support.
- Deterioration of physical and mental health of vulnerable individuals, for example older adults, and people with disabilities, if care givers are placed in quarantine or become sick and no other support is in place.
It is normal to feel sad, distressed, worried confused scared or angry during any crisis. Some common responses might included:
- Fear of falling ill and dying.
- Avoiding approaching health facilities due to fear of becoming infected while in care.
- Fear of losing livelihoods and not being able to work during isolation, and of being dismissed from work.
- Fear of being socially excluded/ placed in quarantine because of being associated with the disease (e.g. racism against persons who are from or perceived to be from affected areas).
- Feeling powerless in protecting loved ones and fear of losing loved ones because of the virus.
- Fear of being separated from loved ones and caregivers dur to a quarantine regime.
- Feelings of helplessness, boredom, loneliness and depression due to being isolated.
- Fear of reliving the experience of a previous epidemic.
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How to stay informed
The information and understanding of COIVD-19 is constantly evolving and changing. It is important to obtain your information from credible sources. For up to date information please refer to the following links: |
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| Government of Manitoba |
World Health Organization |
Shared Health |
For information about Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan please visit the Government of Canada site by click on the following icon:
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How to support your mental health
Maintain a healthy lifestyle, (including a proper diet, sleep, exercise and social contact with loved ones at home).
Keep in touch with family and friends through email, phone calls, and making use of social media platforms.
If you feel overwhelmed, talk to a counsellor or another trusted person in your community (e.g. religious leader, or community elder). Some resources that are readily available to you are: |
| IERHA 24 Hour Crisis Line |
Klinic Crisis Line |
Kids Help Line |
| 1-866-427-8628 |
188-322-3019 |
1-800-668-6868 |
| 204-482-5419 |
204-786-8686 |
https://kidshelphone.ca |
| Although it is important to stay informed, decrease the time you and your family spend watching or listening to upsetting media coverage. This is an opportunity to busy yourself with other activities. Check out the sites listed below for ideas. |
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| Calm in the Storm App |
Stop, Breathe & Think App |
Challenging Worries& Anxious Thoughts |
Worry & Anxiety Amidst Global Uncertainty |
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| Self Isolation |
Corona virus and your wellbeing |
Pandemic pushing your buttons? Check out some helpful strategies to work through this time of uncertainty |
Tips for Social Distancing |
| E-Books by Russ Harris |
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How to Develop
Self-Compassion |
FACE COVID is a set of practical steps for responding effectively to the Corona Crisis, using the principles of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) |
Mental Health First Aid
Self-Care and Resiliency |
Help Next Door is a network of helpers coming together as a community. If you are a volunteer ready to provide your support or someone who needs a helping hand through difficult times, this platform can connect you. |
 Click Icon to Access the MHCC Resource Hub |
Contact Health Links-Info Santé at 204-788-8200 or (toll free) 1-888-315-9257 of you are experiencing symptoms of the 2019 novel coronavirus |
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The Manitoba Government is investing in the mental health of Manitobans. Free on-line support to address anxiety caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Click the coming soon icon to access the press release.
Visit the website to sign up and to be notified once AbilitiCBT becomes available. Help will now be available from the comfort of your own home. AbilitiCBT is a new digital therapy program that will help with anxiety symptoms related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Click here for more information. |
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How to support your family and kids
Hey Sigmund is a website to support parents and guardians with children and teens who are experiencing feelings of anxiety. Please click on the below icon.
The Manitoba government is taking additional proactive measures to help reduce the impact of COVID-19 while supporting front line critical workers to help to respond to COVID-19. For more information please call the Manitoba Child Care Line at 204-945-0776 or 1-888-213-4754 or email cdcinfo@gov.mb.ca.
A new child care worker request process to help identify and prioritize critical workers who require care in order to match their needs with available child care providers. To expedite service, critical front-line workers who need child care options should complete and submit the Essential Workers Child Care Online Request Form
Please click on the following icon to learn how to help kids cope with stress during the COVID-19 outbreak.
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In these times of quickly moving communication and uncertainty, you are encouraged to not only have empathy and compassion for your friends and family and the general population, but for yourselves. Please take the time to watch this video on self-compassion. It speaks volumes to the current common human experience we are all facing.
Anxiety Disorders Association of Manitoba has opened up a support line for anyone seeking support during this challenging time. Individuals are invited to call the support line at 204-925-0040. The line will be checked regularly between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on weekends. Individuals are asked to leave their name, phone number or email address and an ADAM representative will get in touch with them within a short period of time. The support line is not a crisis line. Individuals experiencing a crisis should call the Crisis Services, Klinic Crisis Line, or Emergency services at 911.
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Mental health includes our emotional and social well being. It affects how we think, feel and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, build relationships, and make choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood through to adulthood.
Mental health challenges can affect us all and may include difficulties in thinking, mood and behaviour, but help is available. Please navigate your way through the buttons below.
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Click below to access the Mental Health Resource Guide:
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Mental Health In Real Life
Please click here to watch Recovery:
Hope Changes Everything
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If you would like to contact the Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority to share your voice, please click the button above to access the form to share your experience.