Pandemic – What does it mean? A message about IAM members’ mental health and available resources

For some it means an inconvenience unlike any they have encountered and for others it means missed or shortened vacations. For everyone it means new terms like ‘social distancing’, ‘flattening the curve’ or ‘self-isolating’. For many it means sickness and, possibly, death.

Still for others, it could mean uncontrollable fear, anxiety, layoffs, financial difficulties, confusion, and possibly even thoughts of suicide.

Due to our collective agreements, most members of the IAMAW have some type of counselling benefits. While this is true, some only have limited funds available for services, while others have none at all.

As Canadians, we also have services available to us that can help offset the cost of counselling and help us deal with our concerns. Below is a list of counselling services available across the country. Some provide telephone help, others provide the ability to chat online, and others can offer conventional counseling for a fee.

Below are some resources you can access during these difficult times.

Canada
811      Telehealth
211      United Way

Ending Violence Canada: https://endingviolencecanada.org/getting-help/

Crisis Services Canada: https://www.crisisservicescanada.ca/en/

E-Mental Health (most provinces and territories): https://www.ementalhealth.ca/

If you are concerned for your own or someone else’s immediate safety, call 911.

General Community Resources
Many provinces have a 211 number for information about community and government services. This is currently available in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, Québec, Saskatchewan and Nova Scotia.

Violence and Sexual Violence Support
Sheltersafe is an online resource to help women and their children seeking safety from violence and abuse. The clickable map is a fast resource to connect women with the nearest shelter that can offer safety, hope and support. This resource is for women directly impacted by violence as well as for their concerned friends, family, colleagues and employers. Sheltersafe.ca is an initiative of Women’s Shelters Canada.

Money Problems?
Credit Canada is a non-profit organisation which helps Canadians overcome debt problems and improve their personal money management skills

British Columbia

HealthLink BC: https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/mental-health-substance-use/resources/crisis-line
Crisis Lines BC: https://www.crisislines.bc.ca/

VictimLink
Phone: 1-800-563-0808
TTY accessible at 604-875-0885; to call collect, contact the Telus Relay Service at 711. Text VictimLink BC at 604-836-6381. VictimLinkBC@bc211.ca

Women Against Violence Against Women
24-Hour Crisis Line: 604-255-6344 or
National Toll-free 1-877-392-7583

Alberta

Alberta Health Services:
https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/findhealth/Service.aspx?id=6810&serviceAtFacilityID=1047134

Can We Talk: http://canwetalk.ca/get-help-if-you-need-it/types-of-help/

Family Violence Information Line:
Toll-free 24-Hour Crisis Line/ Online Chat: 310-1818 (over 170 languages available)

Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan Health Authority:
https://www.saskhealthauthority.ca/news/stories/Pages/2019/January/Mental-Health-supports-only-a-phone-call-away.aspx

Saskatchewan Government:
https://www.saskatchewan.ca/government/news-and-media/2019/august/13/free-mental-health-walk-ins

Saskatoon Interval House
24-Hour Crisis Line: 1-888-338-0880

Regina Transition House
24-Hour Crisis Line: 306-569-2292

Manitoba

Manitoba E-Mental Health
https://www.ementalhealth.ca/Manitoba/Crisis-Lines-including-Telephone-Online-and-Chat/index.php?m=heading&ID=21

Government of Manitoba, Mental Health:
https://www.gov.mb.ca/health/mh/crisis.html

Manitoba Association of Women’s Shelters
24 Hour Crisis Line: 1-877-977-0007

Klinic/ Sexual Assault Crisis Program
24-Hour Crisis Line: 1-888-322-3019
YWCA-Westman Women Shelter

Ontario

Ontario E-Mental Health
https://www.ementalhealth.ca/Ontario/Crisis/index.php?m=crisis

Centre for Addiction and Mental Health:
https://www.camh.ca/en/health-info/guides-and-publications/looking-for-mental-health-services

The Assaulted Women’s Helpline
Toll-free: 1-866-863-0511
TTY: 1-866-863-7868
Pour les services en français, veuillez appeler FEM’AIDE:
1-877-336-2433 (sans frais)
1-866-860-7082 (ATS)

Six Nations Crisis Line – Six Nations Crisis Services
1-866-445-2204 or 519-445-2404

Quebec

Ami Québec
https://amiquebec.org/

S.O.S. Violence Conjugale
Montreal: 514-873-9010
Toll-free: 1-800-363-9010

Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia Government, Mental Health
https://novascotia.ca/dhw/healthy-communities/suicide-prevention-help.asp

Transition House Association of Nova Scotia
Crisis numbers are listed by region
Shelters listed by region
http://thans.ca/our-shelters/

Avalon Sexual Assault Centre Halifax
After an immediate sexual assault (within 5 days or 120 hours), call: 902-425-0122

Prince Edward Island

PEI Mental Health Services
https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/information/health-pei/mental-health-services

Anderson House Shelter
24-Hour Crisis Line: 1-800-240-9894

New Brunswick

Chimo HelpLine
http://www.chimohelpline.ca/

Fredericton Sexual Assault Crisis Centre
24-Hour Crisis Line: 506-454-0437

Newfoundland and Labrador

Bridge the Gap
https://www.bridgethegapp.ca/adult/service-directory/service_directory_category/emergency/

Newfoundland and Labrador Sexual Assault Crisis and Prevention Centre
24-Hour Crisis Line: 1-800-726-2743

Nunavut

Assaulted Women’s Helpline
In English and French
24-Hour Crisis Line: 1-866-863-0511

Kamatsiaqtut Nunavut Helpline
Looking for mental health support?
Let the Kamatsiaqtut Help Line provide support in your time of need.
Call us. 24 hours a day. Every day. 867.979.3333
nunavuthelpline.ca

Yukon

Yukon Women’s Transition Home
24-Hour Crisis Line: 867-668-5733

Distress and Support Line – All Ages
7 pm-12 am 7 days a week (PST) 1-844-533-3030

Badge of Life
Yukon Crisis Resources

Northwest Territories

Northwest Help Line
https://www.hss.gov.nt.ca/en/services/nwt-help-line

Northwest Territories Health and Social Services—Family Violence Services for Women
Crisis Numbers Listed by Region
The Healing Journey Northwest Territories
Aboriginal Transition Houses and Family Violence Crisis Lines
Crisis Numbers Listed by Region

NWT Help Line
Serving Northwest Territories
Crisis Line: 1-800-661-0844

As always you can contact our offices and we can put you in touch with someone that can find you counseling for a fee near you.