AHS reminds of mental health support services as pandemic continues
By Medicine Hat News on December 17, 2020.
Alberta Health Services is touting a wide range of supports to help people through the pandemic and uncertain times. If you are in crisis, contact your health-care professional or call 911 if it’s an emergency. Throughout the South zone there are specific supports available: Addiction and mental health community clinics are available to help children, families and individuals in Medicine Hat, Lethbridge, Brooks, Taber, Pincher Creek, Blairmore, Fort Macleod, Cardston, Oyen, Foremost and Bow Island. There is also “virtual” health support in other areas. If you need to speak to someone outside clinic hours, call the mental health helpline at 1-877-303-2642 or the addiction line at 1-866-332-2322. You can also call Health Link at 811 to find the service that’s right for you. Trained staff are available to offer support at those numbers 24/7. An extensive list of support services is available online on the “Help in Tough Times” webpage: http://www.ahs.ca/helpintoughtimes This includes Text4Hope, which offers free daily text messaging that helps people identify and adjust negative thoughts, feelings and behaviours that may be provoked by the pandemic. To subscribe, text: COVID19HOPE to 393939. Online stress management workshops are available. Transform Your Stress: The Resilience Advantage – Strategies for Managing Stress in Challenging Times, is a free AHS-facilitated online workshop. To learn more: http://www.ahs.ca/helpintoughtimes or email ahs.heartmath@ahs.ca There is a free online network that provides anonymous, peer-to-peer mental health services 24 hours a day called, Togetherall. http://www.ahs.ca/virtualmentalhealth Clinical moderators monitor the platform to help keep members safe, protect anonymity, and direct users to available and appropriate free resources. AHS advises that family doctors are important for physical health and to have conversations about how we are coping. If you do not have a family doctor, you can locate one at: http://www.albertafindadoctor.ca Canadian Mental Health Association offers a wide range of programs and services as well as some online supports, in Medicine Hat 403-504-1811. Kids Help Phone and Crisis Text is available to both young people and adults. To access support, call 1-800-668-6868 or visit their website: http://www.kidshelpphone.ca Young people can access support by texting CONNECT to 686868. The Kids Help Phone also offers crisis text support. Adults can access support by texting 741741 to reach a crisis counsellor at Crisis Text Line. You can also visit http://www.crisistextline.org AHS encourages anyone in need of support to reach out to someone they trust. Talk to a family member, friend, someone you can be honest with to talk about your concerns. Public health restrictions can create feelings of isolation so reach out to someone by phone or video chat. If you notice that people in your social circle are struggling, reach out to them. Offer support by mentioning what you have noticed, listen to their concerns and connect them with the resources mentioned above. You don’t have to be a counsellor or expert to show that you care and offer support and hope. 25-24
