COVID-19 Youth Mental Health Resource Hub

Online Resources

• How Do I Find Mental Health Services?

  How do I even begin? It can be daunting, but CAMH's guide to looking for mental health services is a great place to start and answers some questions about where to start, what to expect, and how to prepare.
  
  How do I find a youth program near me? Kids Help Phone has a great digital tool called Resources Around Me. Simply type in your location, and it shows you resources in your area. 
  
  Remember! Kids Help Phone is there for young people across Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic. You can contact them 24/7 by calling 1-800-668-6868 or texting 686868. It’s free and completely confidential.
   

• Get Help: Kids Help Phone's E-Mental Health Services
  

  Kids Help Phone is there for young people across Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic. You can contact them 24/7 by calling 1-800-668-6868 or texting 686868. It’s free and completely confidential.
  
  They're also sharing resources for supporting your mental, emotional, physical and spiritual health during the coronavirus outbreak. Visit KidsHelpPhone.ca/COVID19 for tips, info, interactive tools and more. Remember, you’re never alone!
  
  If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, please contact 911 or the emergency services in your area.
• Provide Support: Resources for Parents and Educators
  

  For Educators, Parents, and Students: School Mental Health Ontario works together with Ontario school boards to promote student mental health. We created a page of COVID-19 resources and answers to questions specifically designed for educators, parents, families, and students. We recognize that this is a difficult situation and that students have many questions related to COVID-19, the impact for themselves, for schools and their friends. We also recognize that information changes frequently. What we do know for sure is that you don’t need to go through this alone, our relationships are important, we are in this together. 

  For Parents: 

  If you think your child or teen may be struggling with their mental health, the award-winning Be There resource can help you start a safe, productive, and effective conversation.
  
  My Anxiety Plan for Children & Teens is an online resource that uses cognitive behavioural therapy practices to help parents coach adolescents or teens through anxiety. 
  
  Also see these articles:

  • Supporting the young people in your life during COVID-19 (Kids Help Phone)
  • 3 tips to support youth with back to school during COVID-19
  • Helping children cope with stress during the COVID-19 outbreak
  • Supporting your child’s mental health as they return to school during COVID-19 

  
  For Educators: 7 Tips for Educators Returning to School During COVID-19 from Anxiety Canada.
• Provide Support: Be There by Jack.org
  Created by Jack.org, Be There is an engaging and comprehensive online resource that teaches us all how to support someone who might be struggling with their mental health. The five Golden Rules are easily adapted to any situation, so even if you're in self-isolation or unable to be physically present with someone, you can still learn how to be there for them.
  
  Be There was voted the Top Health Website in the World by the 2020 Webby Awards.
  
  Check out one of our Be There stories below, and visit BeThere.org to get started. 
  
  
• Provide Support: Movember Conversations for Supporting Men
  Movember Conversations gives you practical guidance on how to support the men in your life who might be struggling. This interactive tool lets you experiment and practice questions and responses, giving you the skills and confidence to approach difficult conversations.
  
  
• Build Skills: Mental Health Training

  Learn about mental health with two of our youth speakers, Sadia and Jonathan! Our Virtual Jack Talk will teach you basic mental health information, how to look after your own mental health, how to support a friend’s mental health, and how to access support. We offer two versions of the Virtual Jack Talk so that anyone seeking mental health education for themselves, their families, or their students has an option!
  
  Check out the teaser below, and visit jack.org/virtualtalk
  
  

• Build Skills: Coping with Anxiety and Uncertainty

  Times are uncertain, to say the least! And sometimes this comes with increased levels of anxiety. The good news is, there are little things we can all do to increase our tolerance to uncertainty. Try some of these tips and tricks for managing anxiety in uncertain times: 

  • 13 Ways to Ease Concerns About School During COVID-19 from Kids Help Phone.
  • Returning to a New Normal: 12 Tips for Handling Uncertainty from Anxiety Canada.
  • Tolerance for Uncertainty: A COVID-19 Workbook from Bay Psychology.
• Build Skills: Working and Learning During COVID-19

  We get it. It can be super tough to stay motivated and focused when working, studying, or learning online.
  
  Start with this great resource from the University of British Columbia that helps you find motivation when you're stuck, distracted, or just need a boost. 
  
  ReachOut.com has a helpful page about studying during coronavirus that even includes a quiz to identify your at-home study style. 
  
  The StayFocused Google Chrome extension limits the time you can spend on certain websites, gently keeping your precious focus in tact. 

• Get Connected: Health and Wellness Apps

  Mental Health Assessments and Tools

  • The Wellness Together Canada web portal provides you with a "journey toolkit" that includes an assessment, personal health metrics, self-guided courses, and access to one-to-one support at no cost.
  • The Youper app is an emotional health assistant. The free version uses AI technology to provide you with a chatbot that guides you through cognitive behavioural therapy practices to improve your mental health.

  
  Physical Activity

  • The DoYogaWithMe app is offering two free months of membership for those quarantined by the coronavirus.
  • The Nike Training Club app has always been free, but now offers COVID-19 related fitness and nutrition advice in its in-app community. 

  
  Social Connection

  • The Houseparty app is free and lets you play games and connect with your people in real-time. 
  • The Netflix Party extension on Google Chrome provides chat options while you simultaneously stream a Netflix favourite with your pals.
• Stay Informed: Reliable COVID-19 Information
  There's a lot of misinformation out there about COVID-19, and it can be hard to sort through the noise. Bookmark these sites for reliable and current information on the pandemic and how it might affect you.
  
  First, consider downloading the COVID alert app. It uses Bluetooth technology to ping phones near you and track if you've been near anyone who has tested positive. Your privacy is totally protected.
  
  The Health Canada website has tons of reliable information on Canada's response to COVID-19, situation updates, and a self-assessment tool that's free and easy to use. 
  
  The World Health Organization is constantly updating their site with information and advice. You can also sign up for COVID-19 updates from the World Health Organization through WhatsApp. 
  
  The Government of Canada has compiled a great resource page for youth that addresses sexual health, financial anxiety, and online safety during COVID-19.
• Resources for Black Youth

  Black communities have dealt with multiple sources of stress over the last few months. The Black community has led an international anti-racist movement, spearheaded primarily by Black youth. While this brings together feelings of strength and support from the community, it has also taken a lot of emotional labour to lead this movement, and it can be very draining to see photos and videos of systemic violence towards people who look like you. Socioeconomic and health inequities in Black communities have also led to higher risk of COVID-19 in many predominantly Black communities. Many Black youth are feeling worried about their family members’ health - especially those who have families in areas with high COVID rates. 
  
  The Black Youth Helpline connects you to professional services. An initial intake followed by a professional assessment helps identify root causes of issues and challenges, and a support plan is then developed. Services in French and other languages are available upon request, and the line is open daily from 9AM-10PM. Call 1-833-294-8650.
  
  This list of mental health resources for Black Canadians is comprehensive and detailed. 
  
  The Therapy for Black Girls Podcast is "a weekly chat about all things mental health, personal development, and all the small decisions we can make to become the best possible versions of ourselves."
  
  Therapy for Black Men collects podcasts, literature, think pieces and more into one easy-to-navigate space.
  
  Grief is a Direct Impact of Racism: Eight Ways to Support Yourself is an article by Global Health Prof. Roberta K. Timothy, and outlines self-care strategies based on her 20+ years' of experience as a health researcher and mental health professional. 
  
  Black Emotional Mental Health provides educational graphics, writing prompts, worksheets, and the Community and Self-Care Support Plan, which works as a tool to map out support plans before struggle turns into crisis. 
  
  Jessica Wilson, MS. RD is a dietician, consultant, and activist who posts critical content on body image and eating disorders and is constantly sharing new resources.
  
  Dr. Mariel Buquè is a therapist who stacks her Instagram feed with mental health strategies, thought prompts, and important reminders to self. 

• Resources for LGBTQ Youth

  The pandemic has posed unique challenges for LGBTQ youth. LGBTQ youth may not be out or accepted in the home they’re staying in during COVID and may not be able to stay connected with their chosen families. They may have to deal with misgendering or other unsupportive comments that can negatively impact their mental health. But know this: a lot of great organizations are increasing their efforts to provide relevant and appropriate resources, supports, and programs.

  Start with these LGBTQI2S Mental Health Tips during the COVID-19 pandemic. It also includes a list of online counselling resources.
  
  Youth Line offers confidential and non-judgemental peer support through telephone, text and chat services. Read about their service offerings during COVID-19 here.
  
  Trans Lifeline offers direct emotional support to trans people in crisis. All operators are transgender. The Canadian hotline number is 877-330-6366. 
  
  Stuck in quarantine with your homophobic or transphobic family? Here are some tips on things you may be considering. 
• Resources for Asian Youth

  Mental Health Mukbang is a video/podcast from the Asian Mental Health Collective that breaks down big mental health ideas into easily digestible segments. 
  
  The Asian Canadian Therapist Directory is a new resource from the Asian Mental Health Collective...and it's exactly what it sounds like! 
  
  The Asian Mental Health Instagram account promotes "mental health education for Asians and allies." Their highlights include education, data, tips, news, and resources. 
  
  The Brown Girl Therapy Instagram account is the "first and largest mental health community for children of immigrants."
  
  Moving Forward Family Services provides audio relaxation exercises in Mandarin, Arabic, Urdu, Punjabi, Hindi, and Tagalog. 

• Resources for Indigenous Youth
  We Matter is an Indigenous youth-led and nationally registered organization dedicated to Indigenous youth support, hope and life promotion. They're a place to help Indigenous youth get through hard times, whether you need support yourself or want to support someone you know.
  
  
  
  The Nunavik Mental Health Resource Guide contains a wide range of resources specific to Nunavik, Quebec, as well as national resources. It links to helplines, chats, Facebook pages, and local Indigenous organizations.
  
  Indigenous Services Canada has developed a video series on COVID-19 that covers topics like how to stay healthy, and how to access services and benefits.
  
  The First Nations Health Authority has published a resource titled Drawing on Indigenous Strengths to Stay Connected and Well that guides the reader through strategies to stay connected during the pandemic. 
  
  This one's a long read, but worth the time: The First Nations Mental Wellness Framework.
  
  Helplines

  • Kamatsiaqtut Help Line: 24/7 & toll free, available in English and Inuktituk. 1-800-265-3333
  • First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness Help Line offers immediate mental health counselling and crisis intervention to all Indigenous peoples across Canada. 24/7 & toll free, available in English and French. 1-855-242-3310 
• Resources for Muslim Youth
  If you haven't heard of Naseeha yet, then we're delighted to introduce you!
  
  7 days a week they answer calls from around the world from Muslims and non-Muslims. They provide a safe zone for youth and individuals to talk and get the help they need. Additionally, they provide workshops to youth across North America, web therapy sessions, and offer texting mental health support 5 days a week.
• Resources on Substance Use During COVID-19
  The Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction has put together this great resource on substance use during COVID-19. It's broken up into easy-to-navigate sections: Audiences, Specific Topics, Types of Resources, Relaxing Restrictions, and Media Articles.