Hello everyone,
With COVID-19 on everyone's mind, I wanted to reach out and give you an update on Family Mental Health Initiative's commitment to the health and safety of family caregivers. These are challenging times for all of us as we try and determine how to best to manage the COVID-19 pandemic. I have been receiving daily situation reports from Canadian Mental Health Association, National Branch who are in close communication with the local public health units across Canada, the Government and our system providers.
To reduce the spread of the virus, I have decided to cancel the Oxygen Program scheduled for April until further notice. I don't know how this situation will unfold minute by minute. At this time, March 16, 2020 at 11:30am I want family caregivers to know that I am an email away: tmaxwell@cmhastarttalking.ca and if you would like to talk with me by phone, please feel comfortable to email me so we can make arrangements to talk. I will be regularly checking my email. I will continue to work to support family caregivers to the best of my ability during this time. We are all in this together.
I have been provided information that Simcoe Muskoka Crisis Services have reduced their services to phone support, 705-728-5044. Crisis beds are closed until further notice.
Canadian Mental Health Association offers these 5 basic tips to help individuals experiencing heightened mental health concerns to remain calm and balanced as this public health situation unfolds:
• Considering the level of attention and seriousness being paid to the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s normal to feel anxious. Try not to avoid, ignore or suppress anxious thoughts. Instead, be aware of your anxiety and accept that you’re feeling anxious in this situation. Try to keep things in perspective; notice and challenge your thoughts that may be extreme or unhelpful
• Self-care is critically important at this time, as worries can be made worse if we aren’t taking care of ourselves. Lean on social supports, try to get enough sleep, eat healthy, exercise and engage in enjoyable activities. Do the things you would typically do to support your health, and be sure to use caution and follow health and safety guidelines while doing them
• Seek information from reliable news sources only. Limit checking in on the latest news to short, defined periods, and refrain from setting related push notifications on your device. Appropriate information consumption may be calming and can lessen the sense of danger
• Take the recommended precautions as outlined by Health Canada and other credible health agencies. Remain focused on the factors within your control, such as washing hands, covering your mouth during coughs and sneezes, avoiding non-essential travel, etc.
• If you’re noticing that your symptoms of anxiety (in association with COVID-19 or otherwise) are causing you significant distress or are interfering with your ability to function normally, reach out for formal mental health supports from a recognized agency, such as CMHA.
Here are resources you may find beneficial:
Public Health Information:
Health Canada COVID-19 Outbreak Update
Ontario Ministry of Health COVID-19
Public Health Ontario Fact Sheet
Take care of yourselves.
Tara Maxwell, Coordinator
Family Mental Health Initiative of Simcoe County
