Viva Vitality: Offering hope and connecting people to valuable resources
By MICHELLE SAUVE on December 11, 2021.
As we spend more time indoors, finding ways to connect and support each other is more important than ever. But what can one person, family or group do to make a difference? Alberta Health Services South Zone is encouraging Albertans to familiarize themselves with supports available in our communities. Through individual and community awareness, we can offer each other hope and connect people to resources. Southern Alberta has experienced many challenges yet we remain resilient. Community connection creates hope and we need your support to spread the word. Together we can make a difference. The Alberta Health Services website at http://www.ahs.ca offers an extensive listing of help lines, COVID-19 resources, and various programs and services. Search for “Help In Tough Times” to locate this page. You will find online tools and resources to support you through stressful times and find reliable information on steps you can take to care for yourself. One example of a service you will find listed on the Help In Tough Times page is Text4Hope, a new daily text messaging service launched earlier this year. It offers free daily text messaging that helps people identify and adjust the negative thoughts, feelings and behaviours a pandemic might be expected to provoke. To subscribe text COVID19HOPE to 393939. Another daily text messaging service just for youth is MoreGoodDays. This free daily text messaging service for youth delivers inspiration and advice straight to their cell phone via text message. These simple messages can shift a young person’s perspective and give them something positive to build on. Brought to Albertans by Kickstand and Alberta Blue Cross in co-ordination with Alberta-based health foundations. To subscribe text MoreGoodDays to 393939. You can learn more at http://www.mykickstand.ca Workshops are also available online to learn how to identify and manage stress. “Transform Your Stress” is a free online workshop facilitated by Alberta Health Services. To learn more about upcoming workshops for the New Year via the Zoom platform, email ahs.heartmath@ahs.ca or go to http://www.ahs.ca and search for “Help In Tough Times” and you will find this workshop listed under “Mental Health Online Sessions.” Some resources to encourage connection from the Alberta Health Services website include worksheets such as Health Is In My Hands and Spiritual Practice For a Disaster or Emergency as well as a tool kit to encourage connection called Simple Connections, Stronger Families. Connection is important. We encourage anyone who needs support to also reach out to someone they trust, talk to a family member, friend, someone they can be honest with to talk through concerns. Sometimes reaching out is too hard though. If you notice someone in your life who may be struggling, reach out to them. Offering support can include mentioning what you have noticed, listening to their concerns, and connecting them with some of the resources noted above. Know that starting a conversation does not require you to be a counsellor or an expert… just a caring person, offering support and hope. In an emergency, call 911. Addiction Helpline – 1-866-332-2322 Mental Health Helpline – 1-877-303-2642 Michelle Sauve is a Health Promotion Facilitator with Alberta Health Services in the South Zone. 12-11
