Community News
Mental health support during COVID-19 pandemic
BY PAUL JUNOR
The global coronavirus pandemic has had a significant impact on people all over the world. The PC government has taken steps to increase mental health support particularly to front-line workers. There was an announcement made in a press release on Thursday, April 2nd, 2020, that $12 million will be available to increase online and virtual mental health supports, and $2.6 million to hire new psychologists and other mental health workers to support Ontario Provincial Police personnel.
This is good news. Front line workers such as: medical personnel, caregivers, food and medicine delivery, shop owners and bus drivers are at greater risk of exposure to the virus and need help.
Mental health is very important to everyone at this time of enormous emotional, mental, economic, social and psychological upheaval. It is “Connected to how we think about and appraise ourselves, our lives and the people we know and care about .It involves our ability to make realistic sense of the world around us and to react menacingly to it” (Heath and Physical Education document, 2015).
In the press release, Premier Doug Ford states, “Dealing with an evolving crisis like COVID-19 puts a lot of stress on everyone. We are self-isolating, dealing with families with kids out of schools, and the frontline health care workers and first-responders who are keeping us safe each and every day. This very difficult situation will impact different people in different ways, but I can assure everyone we will be there to support you and help you cope in every way we can. Clearly, protecting our health and well-being is everything and that includes mental health.”
The government is working on several initiatives to increase mental health support. In the words of Christine Elliot Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, “It’s never been more important for Ontarians to stay home to stop the spread of COVID-19. As they do, we need to provide them with the support they need to stay mentally healthy during these challenging times as more Ontarians experienced heightened anxiety and depression,”
In an interview on CTV on Saturday, April 4th, 2020, Roger McIntyre (Professor of Psychiatry and Pharmacology at University of Toronto) stated that these disruptions occurred overnight making it more stressful for people. People who have lost their jobs are more likely to become suicidal or turn to alcohol or addictive pursuits as coping mechanisms.
He suggests that there are certain things that people can do to develop resilience. It involves, “Being able to recover from difficulties or change to function as well as before and then move forward” (Ministry of Children and Youth Services, 2009).
He recommends that people most affected can: develop social resilience by getting governmental help and support, individual resilience by getting enough sleep, exercising and healthy eating, and by developing interpersonal connections through meaningful and engaging ways. Social media may have a negative impact as it prevents no-one interaction.
What do the governments plans look like?
Focusing on mental health agencies by hiring and training more staff
Purchasing equipment and appropriate technology
Expansion in evidence-informed cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) BounceBack will help youth aged 15 and over through interactive lessons and workbooks
KidsHelp Phone 24/7 will provide virtual support service through professional counselling
Internet-based Cognitive Behavioural (iCBT) Therapy-Online CBT supported by therapists will be offered in English and French
ICBM will be provided for frontline health care workers who are experiencing anxiety, burnout and PTSD
Training for brief CBT-based interventions for frontline workers at Telehealth Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) personnel will receive greater mental help support.
Reference Links
Heath and Physical Education document, 2015
http://schools.wrdsb.ca/doo/files/2013/11/Parent-Handout-Ontario-HPE-Curriculum-QA.pdf
Ministry of Children and Youth Services, 2009
http://www.children.gov.on.ca/htdocs/English/about/rbp/Results_2009-2010.aspx