Mental Health Week: Staying Connected Mental Health Week 2020This is Mental Health Week, a week of awareness first introduced by our Association back in 1951 and which has since become a Canadian tradition. This year’s theme is social connection and it couldn't be more timely. Research shows that social connection and social support are factors that protect and promote good mental health. As we face the COVID-19 global pandemic, social connection is more important than ever. In these days of physical distancing we are learning that we don’t have to be close to feel close. We are together, even when we're apart. This week we are encouraging British Columbians to have frank and honest conversations about how they are really feeling. CMHA BC expanded servicesWe are proud to offer enhanced and expanded supports to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic crisis, thanks to recent funding announced by the Province of B.C. Peer support, BounceBack® coaching, Living Life to the Full courses, community counselling and more of our programs and services will now benefit from additional staff and have been adapted for online delivery. New mental health assessment toolWe have launched a new resource designed to help youth and adults manage their mental health during COVID-19. People are encouraged to check in on how they are feeling using a new self-assessment tool that has been specifically developed to direct users to the information that is the most useful for them. Care for CaregiversWe have partnered with SafeCare BC to launch Care for Caregivers, a new online education resource designed to protect and support the psychological health and well-being of health care workers responding to COVID-19. The website will serve as a hub of trusted mental health resources, information and webinars. Webinar: Shaping social policyIn case you missed it, you can now view our policy team’s recent webinar on shaping social policy on YouTube. The webinar featured a panel of community leaders who discussed , which policy interventions are working, what else is needed, and how the pandemic could change the future of our social safety net. You can support the mental health of British Columbians. Together we can make a difference. MIND MATTERS is completely free and your e-mail address is not shared with any third party. If you would like to know more about our efforts to ensure your privacy is maintained, please contact us. Mind Matters wouldn't be possible without support from donors like you. If your BC agency has news or events you would like to promote in Mind Matters, please e-mail a short paragraph to mindmatters@cmha.bc.ca. If you no longer wish to receive Mind Matters, you may unsubscribe. DISCLAIMER |