Resources to protect your health, safety and well-being during COVID-19

At CMHA Peel Dufferin, we are committed to protecting the health, safety and well-being of every staff member, student, volunteer, service user, and family member in our community. With the amount of information and attention on COVID-19, we understand it can be overwhelming to find credible and accurate information, causing feelings of distress, fear and anxiety.

It is our goal to protect the mental health of our community. This is why we’ve compiled a list of resources from trusted government officials, healthcare professionals and mental health organizations to help you navigate the available information.

For immediate mental health support via phone or online/text, please contact:

• CMHA Peel Dufferin – for services call 905-451-2123 or 1-877-451-2123 (Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm)
• CMHA Peel Dufferin – for crisis call 24.7 Crisis Support Peel Dufferin line at 905-278-9036 or 1-888-811-2222 (Caledon & Dufferin) (24/7)
• Bounce Back CMHA Ontario – online
• Big White Wall (24/7 support) – online
• Kids Help Phone (24/7 support) – CALL: 1-800-668-6868 or TEXT: 686868

Our trusted CMHA branches and community partners have created a variety of tips, tools and information to protect your mental health during this difficult time: 

1. CMHA Ontario provides five key mental health tips for individuals who may be experiencing increased stress and anxiety.
2. The Canadian Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) has put together evidence-based tips and information to help you manage your mental health.
3. The Mental Health Commission of Canada has compiled the following tips to help Canadians protect their mental health as they strive to safeguard their physical well-being and that of their loved ones.  They have also created a COVID-19 Self-Care & Resilience Guide.
4. Children’s Mental Health Ontario (CMHO) has created tips to talking to your anxious child about COVID-19.
5. Green Mountain Self-Advocates shared COVID-19 Information By and For People With Disabilities.
6. Government of Ontario child care for health care and frontline staff
7. CMHA Peel Dufferin provides 24 Ways To Stay Mentally Healthy While Physically Distancing
8. CMHA provides Online Resources for Social Connection and Mental Wellness during COVID-19.
9. Food Resources Accessible to the Public During COVID-19.

For free at-home activities for individuals and families:

• Supplementary resources for elementary and secondary students to practice math and literacy skills and learn at home:
  • Government of Ontario
  • Khan Academy
  • Scholastic Canada
  • Audible Books for Kids
• Free webinars to help address the impact COVID-19 has on our work and well-being:
  • Mental Health Works (April 15, April 17, April 21)
• Activities for kids:
  • Crayola
  • Mandala Maker
  • Cosmic Kids Yoga (3+)
  • Drawing Classes For Kids of All Ages
• Virtual tours from:
  • Google Arts and Culture Museums
• At home, no-equipment workouts:
  • Self Magazine Fitness Workouts

If you’re experiencing health issues unrelated to coronavirus and need to see a medical professional, free telemedicine services (OHIP covered) are available to get a better understanding of your symptoms from your home:

• Get Maple– for Canadian residents
• Cover Health– for Ontario residents

If you think you or someone you know may be experiencing symptoms of coronavirus, use the Ministry of Ontario’s self-assessment tool to determine if you need to seek further medical care:

• Ministry of Ontario’s self-assessment tool

For current public health updates and information regarding COVID-19, please visit:

• Peel Region Public Health– Region of Peel information
• Ontario Ministry of Health– Provincial information
• Health Canada– Federal information
• World Health Organization– Worldwide information

For education on how to best protect yourself from coronavirus, please visit:

• Public Health Canada: Know the Difference: Self-monitoring, Self-isolation, and Isolation for COVID-19
• World Health Organization: Busting myths about COVID-19
• Public Health Ontario: How to properly wash your hands and use hand sanitizer
• Public Health Ontario: How to properly self-isolate
• Canadian Psychological Association: (page 2-3) Understanding social distancing and flattening the curve

This page will be updated regularly as new information and resources become available.  This page was adapted from a CMHA Toronto resource page with thanks.