Staying home has been the safest option in fighting the spread of coronavirus. However, home is not a safe place for everyone. Children who are regularly abused, women who bare the brunt of their partners unmanaged anger, and those who were facing food insecurity before any of this began – these are a few of the scenarios where home is not safe.
In addition to violence and abuse, I predict mental health issues to be at an all time high coming out of self isolation. We can first help by ensuring we are taking care of ourselves. Minding your mental health takes more than a bubble bath and a little self care. It requires daily intentional self awareness and communication with someone who you trust. If you don’t have someone you’re checking in with, find someone. Pick a friend or a family member, and commit to mental health check in’s. if that’s not available, use the BLOOM app for daily check in’s. (more resources available below)
I’ve seen the destruction a family experiences when home is not safe. After working in a group counseling centre for court mandated anger management therapy, I looked hundreds of domestic violence offenders in the face and rehabilitated them. Right now, group counseling is not happening. Physical counseling sessions are impossible, and the result is an obvious increase in worst case scenarios for many families.
Now more than ever, we need to be getting resources to those who need them most. I’ve put together a list of resources for various needs below.
Please share this to your page, and help get this information to those who need it. One phone call could save someone’s life. There are articles at the bottom of this list with more info.
Helplines during Covid 19 – CANADA
Domestic Violence
Canada has seen drastic spikes in dv in every province. In Toronto alone, there have been reports over an 18% spike. One dv call centre notes a 300% increase in calls since the start of stay at home orders.
- Assaulted Women’s Helpline (AWHL) can be reached at 1 866 863 0511
- Francophone Ontarians can call Fem’aide at 1-877-336-2433
- Indigenous women can access Talk4Healing services in 14 languages at 1 855 554 HEAL (4325)
Provincial/Local helplines and centres:
BRITISH COLUMBIA
- VictimLink BC: 1 800 563 0808
- Vancouver Island Crisis Line: 1 888 494 3888
- Victoria Sexual Assault Centre: 250 383 3232
- Women Against Violence Against Women: 1 877 392 7583
- Battered Women’s Support Services: 604 687 1867
ALBERTA
- Alberta One Line (for sexual violence): 1 866 403 8000
- Calgary Communities Against Sexual Abuse: 1 877 237 5888
- Central Alberta Sexual Assault Centre: 1 866 956 1099
- Dragonfly Counselling and Support Centre (Bonnyville): 780 812 3174
- Lloydminster Sexual Assault Services: 1 306 825 8255
- Waypoints: 1 780 791 6708 (Sexual Trauma Support)
- 1 780 743 1190 (Family Violence Support)
- Pace Community Support Sexual Assault & Trauma Centre: 1 888 377 3223
- Chinook Sexual Assault Centres: 1 844 576 2512
- YWCA Lethbridge (Amethyst Project): 1 866 296 0477 (Sexual Assault Support)
SASKATCHEWAN
- Regina Women and Sexual Assault Line: 306 352 0434
- Saskatoon Sexual Assault & Information Centre: 306 244 2224
- West Central Crisis & Family Support Centre: 306 933 6200
- Lloydminster Sexual Assault Services: 306 825 8255
- Prince Alberta Mobile Crisis Unit (Sexual Assault): 306 764 1039
MANITOBA
ONTARIO
- Talk4Healing – 24/7 hotline for Indigenous women
- Assaulted Women’s Helpline: 1 866 863 0511
- Support Services for Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse: 1 866 887 0015
- Sexual Assault for Quinte & District: 1 877 544 6424
- Muskoka/Parry Sound Sexual Assault Services: 1 800 461 2929
- Hope 24/7: 1 800 810 0180
- Sexual Assault Centre of Brant: 519 751 3471
- Kawartha Sexual Assault Centre: 1 866 298 7778
- Sexual Assault Support Services SDG&A: 1 877 336 2433 (FR)
- Sexual Assault Centre Hamilton: 905 525 4162
- Kenora Sexual Assault Centre: 807 468 7233
- Sexual Assault Centre Kingston: 1 877 544 6424
- Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region: 519 741 8633
- Durham Rape Crisis Centre: 905 668 9200
- Amelia Rising Sexual Violence Support Centre: 705 476 3355
- Sexual Assault Support Centre of Ottawa: 613 234 2266
- Ottawa Rape Crisis Centre: 613 562 2333
- Women’s Sexual Assault Centre of Renfrew County: 1 800 663 3060
- Women in Crisis (Algoma) Inc.: 1 877 759 1230
- Niagara Sexual Assault Centre: 905 682 4584
- Centre de santé communautaire Hamilton/Niagara: 1 866 885 5947
- Sexual Assault Crisis Centre of Essex County: 519 253 9667
- Assault Response & Care Centre (Brockville): 1 800 567 7415
- Guelph-Wellington Women in Crisis: 1 800 265 7233
- Sexual Assault & Violence Intervention of Halton: 905 875 1555
- Sexual Assault Survivors Centre Sarnia-Lambton: 519 337 3320
- Haldimand & Norfolk Women’s Services: 1 800 265 8076
- Timmins & Area Women in Crisis: 1 877 268 8380
- Athena’s Sexual Assault Counselling and Advocacy Centre: 1 800 987 0799
- Toronto Rape Crisis Centre: 416 597 8808
QUEBEC
- SOS Violence Conjugale
- Sexual Assault Crisis Line: 1 888 933 9007
- CALACS de L’outaouis: 1 866 757 7757
- CALACS Abitibi Action IKWE: 819 7327889
- CALACS Coup de coeur: 1 866 756 4999
- CALACS La Chrysalide: 1 866 964 7888
- CALACS Rimouski: 1 888 707 9400
- CALACS Entre Elles: 1 866 666 1004
- CALACS Trois-Rivières: 1 866 373 1232
- CALACS Estrie: 1 877 563 0793
- La Passerelle: 819 478 3353
- Assault Sexuel Secours: 877 855 6968
MARITIMES
- Support Line Sexual Violence New Brunswick: 506 454 0437
- Crisis Line NFLD Sexual Assault Crisis and Prevention Centre: 1 800 726 2743
- Prince Edward Island Rape and Sexual Assault Centre: 902 368 8055
TERRITORIES
Kid’s Support
These resources are specifically available for kids to call or text. Professionals are available 24/7 to support you.
- Kids Help Phone 1-800-668-6868 for 24/7 confidential support
- Text Kids Help Phone 686868
Resource for parents:
https://www.google.ca/amp/s/childmind.org/article/supporting-kids-during-the-covid-19-crisis/amp/
Mental Health
Don’t wait for your breaking point to reach out for help. We are all under unrealistic levels of stress, pressure, and possible anxiety. Our structure and regular framework has shifted. These resources can help to alleviate some of the pressure and assist you in process what is happening.
- BounceBack offers free Cognitive Behavioral Therapy https://bouncebackontario.ca
Provincial/Local resources:
Alberta
- COVID-19 and Your Mental Health
- Text4Hope- Supporting Mental Health & Wellness in a Time of Stress & Isolation
British Columbia
Manitoba
New Brunswick
Newfoundland and Labrador
- Mental Health and Wellness
- Free Online courses and webinars for Wellness and Mental Health (Canadian Mental Health Association – Newfoundland and Labrador)
North West Territories
Nova Scotia
Nunavut
Ontario
Prince Edward Island
Québec
Saskatchewan
Yukon
*info from Mental Health Commission
Resources in Response to COVID-19
- Choosing sources of information
- Mental Health First Aid COVID-19 Self-Care & Resilience Guide
- The Working Mind COVID-19 Self-care & Resilience Guide
- Tips on talking to someone in crisis during COVID-19
- Caregiving in the era of COVID-19: What to expect, and how to cope
- Webinar – Best Practices for Supporting the Mental Health of Healthcare Workers During Covid-19
- First Responder Q&A COVID-19 Resource
- Coping With Stress, Anxiety, And Substance Use During Covid-19 (infographic)
- Managing Stress, Anxiety And Substance Use During Covid-19: A Resource For Healthcare Providers(infographic)
- Crisis Training: Caring for Yourself
- Crisis Training: Caring for your Team
- Crisis Training: Caring for Others
References:
https://endingviolencecanada.org/crisis-lines/
https:/www.mentalhealthcommission.ca/English/mhcc-covid-19-resources
https://www.google.ca/amp/s/childmind.org/article/supporting-kids-during-the-covid-19-crisis/amp/
*I’m not affiliated with any of these organizations.
– the Wife
EAT PRAY WIFE 