Taking care of your mental health during COVID-19 including links to SK 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 Saskatchewan:

• HealthLine811: call 8-1-1. Mental health and addictions service continue to be available, providing 24/7 crisis support, advice to help manage a caller's situation, information and connection to community resources.
• Online Therapy Unit: Free online therapy for adults in Saskatchewan experiencing mental health difficulties or stress, with a focus on depression and anxiety. Accessible any day, any time, from any computer.
• Wellness Together Canada: Connects people to peer support workers, social workers, psychologists and other professionals for confidential chat sessions or phone calls, and also offers credible information and help to address mental health and substance use issues.
• Mobile Crisis: 306-757-0127. Centres are located across Saskatchewan and operate 24/7.
• Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868. Offers professional counselling, information and referrals. You can phone, text or chat online. It's confidential, free and available 24/7.
• Farm Stress Line: 1-800-667-4442. Provides support for farmers and ranchers, and is available 24 hours per day, seven days per week.
• The Canadian Mental Health Association, Saskatchewan Division: 306-421-1871; Youth Line, 306-730-5900. Provides support to those who may be struggling in these challenging times.