Psychological First Aid

Guy Choquet, the Red Cross Director of Operations, Alberta Fire Recovery in Fort McMurray was one of thousands of people evacuated when flood waters came into the downtown area on April 26, 2020.
Choquet was also instrumental in supporting the Flood Collaborative, a group of local community organizations that formed to identify and address any gaps in services as residents began the recovery process.

The holiday season is approaching and for some, it can bring a range of emotions. It can be a joyful time of coming together with loved ones, as well as a challenging reminder of loss and hardship. Regardless of our circumstance, we all experience stress in different ways and it’s important to find the tools that help you manage. Here, we share some suggestions.

The season of hot chocolates, slippers and cozy blankets is here. This year, the Canadian Red Cross is making it easier for you with our 2022 holiday gift guide for a stress-free gift giving (and receiving) season.

Dealing with this pandemic can be overwhelming. Many of us are struggling with what we’re seeing in the news, watching case numbers rise, or still aren’t ready to “get back to normal”. If you’re struggling, here are some tips to help take care of yourself:

As Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Mental Health Week and Emergency Preparedness Week coincide, we focus on the importance of prioritizing mental health and wellbeing during times of crisis.

In the midst of a crisis, it can be difficult to cope with feelings of fear, stress and anxiety. It’s common to feel sad, overwhelmed, or anxious. Sometimes, we may feel unsure of what to do to cope. Over-exposure to the news and social media can increase stress levels, which can negatively impact mental health and overall wellbeing. Taking time for self-care is important, especially in the current global climate.

In a world where a pandemic has prevailed for more than a year, it can be overwhelming to think of children in school and how to best protect them – and ourselves – against COVID-19.
We may not be able to control certain things but we can control what to do to make things easier on us and our families during this stressful time.

It’s a trying time. As we do our best to cope with the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, remember that stress, and feelings of confusion, disappointment and worry are expected during a crisis (for adults and kids!). To help, we’ve put together some tips for parents on how to cope with the mental health impacts of COVID-19.