Taking care of your mental health during COVID-19 including links to MB resources

We have passed the six-month mark of living in a COVID-19 world and things are not getting any less stressful. Now, more than ever, it’s important to take steps to care for your mental health. Here are some tips that can help:
 

• Take breaks
• Maintain healthy habits (eating, sleeping, exercising)
• Practice stress management techniques (breathing or mindfulness)
• Maintain healthy relationships
• Ask for help if you need it
• Remember that not everything you’re seeing on social media is accurate. Ensure you are getting your information from credible sources. However, if you’re finding the news distressing, take a break and consider logging off social media.

Help your children:
 

• Encourage children to talk to you about their feelings. Listen to them. Be honest when you are feeling sad, afraid, or worried – but let them know you are there to work through it together.
• Provide children with age-appropriate but factual information about what is going on.
• Be honest when you don’t have the answer to their question but assure them you will let them know when you know.
• Empower children with what they can do right now, review things like proper handwashing and explain why it’s important to disinfect common surfaces and toys.
• Do some activities together as a family. Try some yoga or other indoor workouts.

If you or anyone you know is struggling with continued feelings of extreme stress, can’t shake feelings of despair, anxiety or depression, consider seeking support. Here are some options of organizations that can help in Manitoba.

Klinic Crisis Line
204-786-8686 or 1-888-322-3019
TTY 204-784-4097

Manitoba Suicide Prevention & Support Line
1-877-435-7170 (1-877-HELP170)

Kids Help Phone (national line available to Manitoba Youth)
1-800-668-6868

Klinic Sexual Assault Crisis Line
204-786-8631 or 1-888-292-7565
TTY 204-784-4097

Manitoba Farm, Rural & Northern Support Services
supportline.ca - online counselling
1-866-367-3276 (hours Mon-Fri 10 am to 9 pm)

First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness Help Line
1‑855‑242-3310
Counselling available in English and French - upon request, in Cree, Ojibway, and Inuktitut.
 
For a full list of Manitoba resources please visit: https://www.gov.mb.ca/health/mh/crisis.html