Taking care of your mental health with links to ON resources

Taking care of your mental health is more important than ever! It has been a challenging and stressful year, leaving many with feelings of loneliness, frustration, and confusion. While these feelings are expected, there are steps you can take and resources that can help you take care of your mental health and wellbeing.

• Take breaks from social media and the news.
• Be patient with yourself and those around you.
• Try to stick to a routine, eat healthy and drink lots of water.
• Exercise for 15 - 30 minutes a day, it can help boost your mood.
• Connect with friends and loved ones.
• Seek help if you are feeling overwhelmed.

• The impact of stress on your mental health
• The benefits of exercise for your physical and mental health
• Taking care of mental health during COVID-19

Psychological First Aid
The Red Cross Psychological First Aid course allows people to: recognize how stress affects them, identify the protective factors in their daily life, and then work to understand what distress looks like in others and how to identify supports to help them.
 
Find more information about the course and how to register here. 
 
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, here are some additional resources that may help:

Kids Help Phone

For children and youth ages 5 to 20.
Toll-free: 1-800-668-6868
Text CONNECT to 686868
Live web chat

Hope for Wellness Helpline

A 24/7 immediate mental health counselling and crisis intervention helpline for all Indigenous peoples across Canada.
Toll-free: 1-855-242-3310
Live web chat
 
Good2Talk Helpline

A 24/7 hotline for postsecondary students.
Toll-free: 1-866-925-5454
Text GOOD2TALKON to 686868

BounceBack

A free, guided self-help program for people aged 15 and up who are experiencing mild-to-moderate anxiety or depression, or may be feeling low, stressed, worried, irritable or angry.
https://bouncebackontario.ca/

ConnexOntario

A 24/7, free and confidential health services information for people experiencing problems with alcohol and drugs, mental health and/or gambling.
Toll-free: 1-866 -531-2600
www.connexontario.ca 

LGBT Youthline Ontario

Ontario-wide peer-support for lesbian, gay bisexual, transgender, transsexual, two-spirited, queer and questioning young people.
Toll-free: 1-800-268-9688
Text: 647-694-4275
Live Web Chat

Seniors Safety Line

A 24/7, confidential and free resource that provides contact and referral information across the province, for elders experiencing abuse.
Toll-Free: 1-866-299-1011