Take Care of Your Mental Health

A pandemic is a very stressful event for individuals, families and communities. It’s normal to feel some stress and anxiety during these times. It’s also very common for people to display great resiliency during times of crisis.

Everyone reacts differently to stressful situations.

Taking care of yourself, your friends, and your family can help you cope with stress. Helping others cope with their stress can also make your community stronger. The following is a list of mental health resources available to help.

Mental Health Help Lines

Support Program	Telephone Number
Mental Health and Addictions Phone Line	1-833-553-6983  toll-free
Farmer Assistance Program	1-800-736-8006 toll-free
Kids Help Phone	1-800-668-6868 toll-free or text 686868

Are you in distress or a crisis?

For immediate assistance, call the Mental Health and Addictions Phone Line at 1-833-553-6983 day or night. A trained and caring staff member or volunteer will help you figure out what to do - be it crisis intervention, emotional support, or helping to problem solve. In an emergency, call 9-1-1

Community Resources for Mental Health

Canadian Mental Health Association, PEI Division

Visit pei.cmha.ca for resources and suggestions to help support your mental health at this time of uncertainty.

For Farmers, Farm Families and Farm Workers

For support, visit farmerstalk.ca/fap or call the Farmer Assistance Program at 1-800-736-8006

Kids Help Phone

Children and youth experience stress, anxiety and emotional overload too and may also need support during this challenging time.

Visit kidshelpphone.ca or call 1-800-668-6868 24/7 or text 686868

The Hospital for Sick Children

The Hospital for Sick Children created an online hub for resources on coping with COVID-19, while also supporting children's mental health and wellbeing.

Visit www.aboutkidshealth.ca/COVID-19.

Stay Well

Taking care of your emotional health will help you think clearly and react to urgent needs to protect yourself and your loved ones.¹ Here are some recommendations to stay well overall:

Keep physically active

You may not be able to go to the gym or a fitness, but it’s still okay to walk, run or even snowshoe outside, as long as you practice social distancing. Many fitness classes are now available online, for example, go! Live@Home is offering a NEW series of free live physical activity sessions that you can join from the comfort of your home.

Eat healthy

Continue to make good food choices by eating a variety of foods each day.

Drink alcohol responsibly

Drinking alcohol is a personal choice. If you are aged 25 to 65 and choose to drink, Canada's low-risk drinking guidelines will help you figure out your limits. Learn more at www.shouldihaveanother.ca.

Stay Connected with Others

Yes, it may be impossible to stay connected with your family and friends as you typically would while self-isolating. Yet, individuals and communities are responding and finding new ways to keep in touch by chatting and sharing on social media, making regular calls by telephone to check in with one another, and dropping care packages and essential supplies at door steps.

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¹ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US): https://emergency.cdc.gov/coping/selfcare.asp