The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly changed our lives. Not only are we facing isolation due to physical distancing, we're also experiencing fears surrounding infection, loss of life, and loss of income -- as well as the actual experience of these realities. These stressors don’t just affect us physically; they affect us mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Research demonstrates that widespread disease and economic recession lead to increased rates of depression, anxiety, and other mental health challenges, and due to COVID-19, experts predict a long term uptick in the rate and severity of mental illness. Children and youth are of particular concern as existing mental health issues are exacerbated by isolation and family stress, disrupted education, and fears about the future.
We recognize that there are many resources available to you, and that you've likely found ones that are helpful and supportive. However, should you find it useful, here are some resources related to mental health, parenting during COVID, and online safety listed below. If you need some help finding a counsellor, contact us, VEV has a counsellor referrals list. Also, for the latest from Pastor Gordie regarding COVID-19, please read A Pastoral Letter, COVID-19.
It's our sincere hope you'll find something helpful, either for yourself or someone you love.
MENTAL HEALTH
Crisis Resources (BC based):
911
In case of a mental health emergency, please call 911 or attend your nearest hospital emergency room.
Crisis Lines
If you are considering suicide or are concerned about someone who may be, crisis lines are free, anonymous, confidential, and available 24/7.
Vancouver: 604-872-3311, B.C. wide: 1-800-784-2433 (I-800-SUICIDE)
Youth Crisis Chat
Youth can chat with a trained crisis responder online from noon until 1:00 am.
Kids' Help Phone
Kids can reach a professional counsellor 24/7, Call: 1-800-668-6868
Information and Support (BC based):
310 Mental Health Support Line
BC crisis line workers can provide emotional support as well as mental health information and resources. Call: 310-6789 (no area code required)
Here to Help
Website of the BC Partners for Mental Health and Addictions. This site provides help for individuals, families and professionals. Self-screening, information sheets, general resources, quick links and news updates, fact sheets and other useful information.
Foundry
Foundry offers young people ages 12-24 health and wellness resources, services and supports – online and through integrated service centres in communities across BC.
Kelty Mental Health
Kelty helps families across the province navigate the mental health system, listen and offer peer support, and connect to resources and tools. B.C.’s information source for children, families and youth. Find information for parents on navigating the mental health system with their children/youth.
Bounce Back
A free skill-building program designed to help adults and youth 15+ manage low mood, mild to moderate depression, anxiety, stress or worry.
Canada-wide
Wellness Together Canada
The government of Canada's response to the mental health repercussions of COVID-19. Free for everyone. Take a five minute self-assessment, access self-guided courses and apps, as well as free counselling.
PARENTING TIPS
COVID-19 Parenting Tips
Expert tips to help you deal with COVID-19 parenting challenges. This UNICEF resource is prefaced by a linked table of contents so that you can easily find tips that are most relevant to you.
COVID-19 Guide for Parents
A UNICEF resource hub featuring articles categorized by topic, including: learning and play, health and wellness and resources for moms.
Six parenting tip sheets
Parenting for Lifelong Health and partners have developed a series of tip sheets on the following topics: One-on-One Time; Keeping it Positive; Structure Up; Managing Challenging Behaviours; Keeping Calm and Managing Stress; and Talking about COVID-19. Please scroll down and select "English" as your language preference. *Note: Please adapt messages as appropriate. For example, language around bad behaviours on Tip Sheet 4 may not be ideal, so consider using more positive language.
COVID-19: wellbeing of you and your children
A tip sheet created by Child Protection, UNICEF and Save the Children promoting wellbeing for parents/caregivers and their children.
Five Ways to Wellbeing for Children
A 6 minute Sanctuary blog post exploring how to cultivate the 5 ways to wellbeing with children.
ONLINE SAFETY
During COVID-19, experts on child digital protection are concerned that risks to children online are increasing. In particular, there is mounting evidence that online child sexual exploitation and abuse (OCSEA) is rising alongside children's consumption and sharing of sexually explicit images and porn. Relatedly, there is evidence that adult consumption and addiction to porn are increasing as people try to cope with isolation and more time online, among other things. There are many resources for preventing and responding to online child protection and digital safety issues; here are some which may support you in navigating these with the children and youth in your lives:
International edition COVID-19 Global Online Safety Advice for Parents and Carers
A resource with tips for keeping children safe online and specific advice on the following topics:
media, misinformation, and scams; time online; parental controls and safe search options; unwanted contact and grooming; online pornography; sexting; cyberbullying; online gaming; and help seeking and self-care.
(also available in Chinese, Arabic, Spanish, French, Russian)
Think U Know
Downloadable parent help-sheets on digital safety (options for primary and secondary aged children).
Safe Online
A short film outlining the issues. Scroll down for articles (support parents and caregivers, provide a safe online learning experience for students, empower children online, make online platforms safe for children) and a resource pack, all from The Global Partnership to End Violence Against Children.