The COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing restrictions are impacting the well-being of caregivers and their children. Different types of mental health support may be needed as we navigate the new realities imposed by COVID-19. Below are listed a series of online resources to help parents and caregivers cope.
Kids Help Phone
Canada’s only 24/7 national support service. It offers professional counselling, information and referrals, and volunteer-led, text-based support for young people in both English and French.
Website: https://kidshelpphone.ca/
Call: 1-800-668-6868
Text CONNECT to 686868
General resources on coping and parenting during COVID-19
- AboutKidsHealth
https://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/ - Zero to Three
https://www.zerotothree.org/resources/3210-tips-for-families-coronavirus - PBS KIDS for Parents
https://www.pbs.org/parents/thrive/how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-coronavirus - Reach Out Centre for Kids (ROCK)
https://rockonline.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Resource-Kit-for-Families-COVID-19-Ages-0-6-Part-1_Updated-March-27.pdf - Reach Out Centre for Kids (ROCK)
https://rockonline.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Resources-for-Families-during-COVID-19_April-9.pdf - World Health Organization
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/healthy-parenting - Child Mind Institute
https://childmind.org/coping-during-covid-19-resources-for-parents/ - School’s Out - A Parent’s Guide for Meeting the Challenge During the COVID-19 Pandemic
https://nyulangone.org/news/schools-out-parents-guide-meeting-challenge-during-covid-19-pandemic - Pandemic Parenting Playbook
https://cheo.echoontario.ca/parent-caregiver-sessions/
General health resource hub
- Meant2Prevent
https://meant2prevent.ca/
This resource contains links to reliable sites on the topics of nutrition, mental health, physical activity, sleep and parenting. It also has a special COVID-19 section. There is also a Meant2Prevent kitchen with great recipe ideas. You can also follow them on Instagram or Facebook.
Information on anxiety and coping strategies
- Anxiety Canada
https://www.anxietycanada.com/ - AboutKidsHealth
https://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/article?contentid=18&language=english - Tolerance for Uncertainty: A COVID-19 Workbook by Dr. Sachiko Nagasawa & Assoc.
https://www.baypsychology.ca/workshops
Mental health mobile apps
- MindShift CBT (Anxiety Canada)
- AnxietyCoach (Mayo Clinic)
- Breathe, think, do with Sesame Street
- Stop Breathe & Think
- Smiling Mind
- Headspace
- Virtual Hope Box
Mindfulness supports
- Free guided meditations
https://www.uclahealth.org/marc/mindful-meditations - Breath In & Shine: Mindfulness for Children and Families
http://mindfulfamilies.ca/index.php/73-mindfulness-programs/programs/184-breathe-in-and-shine-mindfulness-for-children - Youth Mindfulness Kids Programme
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=At5h-dsIO7w - Cosmic Kids Yoga
https://www.youtube.com/user/CosmicKidsYoga
Mental health support for adults
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH)
https://www.camh.ca/500.html?aspxerrorpath=/health-info/mental-health-and-covid-19
Financial supports
- Canada Emergency Response Benefit
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei/cerb-application.html - Ontario: COVID 19 Support for people
https://www.ontario.ca/page/covid-19-support-people#section-0