Support during the COVID-19 pandemic
On-line CBT Skills Groups are now being offered to support patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Refer to Participant FAQ page for questions related to participating in a group. The resources highlighted below are for support related to the Covid-19 pandemic.
| Title | COVID-19: Managing Stress in this Anxious Time |
| Source | Institute for Disaster Mental Health |
| Summary | Handout which outlines problem focused and emotion focused coping strategies to address stress. |
| Title | FACE COVID – How to Respond Effectively to the Corona Crisis | Video (5:23) or E-book |
| Source | Dr. Russ Harris, psychologist, author of The Happiness Trap |
| Summary | Video and E-book with practical steps based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy |
| Title | Coping with stress and anxiety during COVID-19 |
| Source | CAMH: The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health |
| Summary | Article with practical strategies on coping with stress and anxiety |
| Title | Managing Stress Associated with the COVID-19 Virus Outbreak |
| Source | National Centre for PTSD, Veterans Affairs |
| Summary | Handout with strategies for increasing sense of safety, staying connected, cultivating ways to be more calm and improving sense of control and ability to endure |
| Title | Living with worry and anxiety amidst global uncertainty |
| Source | Psychology Tools |
| Summary | CBT Strategies to address worry and anxiety |
| Title | Care For Your Coronavirus Anxiety |
| Source | Shine, partnership with Mental Health America, (community-based, non-profit) |
| Summary | Articles and Toolkit including meditations for coping with anxiety and stress |
| Title | COVID-19 – Manage Anxiety & Stress |
| Source | Centre for Disease Control (CDC) |
| Summary | Article with coping strategies for general public, families and children and first responders |
| Title | Mental health and psychosocial considerations during the COVID-19 outbreak |
| Source | World Health Organization (WHO) |
| Summary | Recommendations for specific groups including general population, healthcare workers, caregivers, older adults and quarantined individuals |
| Title | Coronavirus Anxiety Daily Update #1: March 16, 2020 |
| Source | Dr. Jud Brewer, neuropsychiatrist, mindfulness researcher |
| Summary | Video (4:37) explaining anxiety/social contagion and 2 practices for good mental hygiene – deep breathing and grounding |
| Title | Antidote for COVID-19 Induced Anxiety |
| Source | Dr. Jud Brewer, neuropsychiatrist, mindfulness researcher |
| Summary | Video (20:34) explaining anxiety/mindfulness practices |
| Title | Having trouble sleeping? Why anxiety makes sleep worse and 3 things to do (Coronavirus update #8) (6:47) |
| Source | Dr. Jud Brewer, neuropsychiatrist, mindfulness researcher |
| Summary | Video (6:47) discussing sleep hygiene and body scan strategies |
| Title | What to do if you’re anxious or worried about Coronavirus |
| Source | Anxiety Canada |
| Summary |
| Title | Mental Health Wellness Tips for Quarantine |
| Source | Dr. Eileen Feliciano, Psy.D Psychologist in NYS |
| Summary | Practical Tips for Quarantine |
Many healthcare workers are on the front lines for managing a COVID-19 outbreak. Whether due to increased job demands, coping with unusual circumstances, and/or fears of contagion to self and others, an outbreak could have a profound impact on mental health and the ability to remain effective in rapidly evolving situations, while increasing the risk of distress, anxiety and burnout. Several resources have been developed specifically to highlight the mental health needs of healthcare workers. The resources below highlight several recommended strategies for healthcare workers including: preparing for heightened demands during an outbreak and monitoring own stress/wellbeing and engaging in self-care/coping strategies (including general tips above) but also: checking in regularly with family/friends/colleagues, pacing work and taking mini-break where possible, avoiding overworking or ignoring personal needs and connecting to a sense of purpose and service.
| Title | Managing Healthcare Workers’ Stress Associated with the COVID-19 Virus Outbreak |
| Source | National Centre for PTSD, Veteran Affairs |
| Summary | Article outlining potential sources of stress and strategies for preparedness and self-care |
| Title | Sustaining the Well-Being of Healthcare personnel during Coronavirus and Other Infectious Disease Outbreaks |
| Source | Centre for the Study of Traumatic Stress |
| Summary | Article with practical strategies for sustaining healthcare personnel wellbeing |
| Title | Caring for Yourself & Others During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Managing Health Care Workers’ Stress | Webinar and Handout |
| Source | The Schwartz Center for Compassionate Healthcare |
| Summary | Patricia Watson, PhD discusses ways that healthcare workers can manage stress in context of Covid-19. Overview of Stress First Aid Model which incorporates self-care and peer support. |
| Title | Briefing Note on addressing mental health and psychosocial aspects of COVID-19 Outbreak |
| Source | Inter-Agency Standing Committee |
| Summary | Extensive article on mental health and psychosocial responses to COVID-19 and targeted interventions for different groups including older adults, persons with disabilities, children, those in isolation/quarantine and frontline workers. |
| Title | Leadership Communication – Anticipating and Responding to Stressful Events |
| Source | Centre for the Study of Traumatic Stress |
| Summary | Handout on leadership communication including message development. |
| Title | COVID Hub |
| Source | CMPA |
| Summary | Up-to-date medical-legal information, advice and support regarding COVID 19 for physicians |
