Taking care of your mental and physical health during the COVID-19 pandemic

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If you're in crisis

If you're in immediate danger or need urgent medical support, call 911.

If you're experiencing gender-based violence, you can access a crisis line in your province or territory.

You may also access support workers, social workers, psychologists and other professionals for confidential chat sessions or phone calls by texting WELLNESS to:

686868 for youth

741741 for adults

For a wide range of resources and support for Canadians:

Fear, stress and worry are normal in a crisis

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in many changes. You might feel like you're no longer in control of things. It’s normal to feel sad, stressed, confused, scared or worried. People react in different ways. Some common feelings include:

a sense of being socially excluded or judged

concern about your children's education and well-being

fear of getting sick with COVID-19 or of making others sick

worry about losing your job, not being able to work or finances

fear of being apart from loved ones due to isolation or physical distancing

helplessness, boredom, loneliness and depression due to isolation or physical distancing

Tips for taking care of yourself

Stay informed but take breaks from social media and the news.

Practise physical distancing, but stay socially connected to friends and family through: email phone calls video chats social media

Practise mindfulness by: stretching meditating taking deep breaths

Try to: eat healthy meals exercise regularly get plenty of sleep

Follow safe food handling and cooking practices to keep you and your family safe by killing the virus and lowering your risk of infection.

Think about how to use any unexpected flexibility in your daily routine.

Focus on the positive aspects of your life and things you can control.

Be kind and compassionate to yourself and others.

If you can, limit your use of substances. If you do use substances, practise safer use and good hygiene.



If you need help, you can call:

your primary health provider

a registered psychologist

another mental health provider in your community

You may also find the following contacts helpful.

Kids Help Phone

Call 1-800-668-6868 (toll-free) or text CONNECT to 686868.

Available 24 hours a day to Canadians aged 5 to 29 who want confidential and anonymous care from professional counsellors.

Download the Always There app for additional support or access the Kids Help Phone website.

Hope for Wellness Help Line

Call 1-855-242-3310 (toll-free) or connect to the online Hope for Wellness chat.

Available to all Indigenous peoples across Canada who need immediate crisis intervention. Experienced and culturally sensitive help line counsellors can help if you want to talk or are distressed.

Telephone and online counselling are available in English and French. On request, telephone counselling is also available in Cree, Ojibway and Inuktitut.

Crisis Services Canada

If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, call the Canada Suicide Prevention Service at 1-833-456-4566.

Available to all Canadians seeking support. Visit Crisis Services Canada for the distress centres and crisis organizations nearest you.

Provincial and territorial resources

Alberta Alberta Health Services

Newfoundland and Labrador Government of Newfoundland and Labrador: Mental health and wellness

Northwest Territories Government of Northwest Territories: Mental health and social distancing

Prince Edward Island Government of Prince Edward Island: Mental health and addictions services

Related links