Canadian MentalHealth Association, Ontario Division’s BounceBack program has developed a mental health tip sheet to support those who may be experiencing heightened mental health challenges as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The tip sheet, titled 10 Things You Can Do Right Now to Reduce Anxiety, Stress, Worry Related to COVID-19, offers 10 quick and easy things anyone can do to alleviate mild-to-moderate symptoms of anxiety or depression at a time when these difficulties may be exacerbated. Tips include managing news consumption, challenging unhelpful thoughts, staying socially connected, helping others, spending time outdoors and more.

BounceBack is a free, guided self-help program that’s effective in helping people aged 15 and up who are experiencing mild-to-moderate anxiety or depression, or may be feeling low, stressed, worried, irritable or angry. Participants receive telephone coaching, skill-building workbooks and online videos to help them overcome these symptoms and gain new skills to regain positive mental health.

The Ontario government recently announced an expansion of online and virtual mental health supports, including BounceBack, to help Ontarians navigating the difficult realities in the wake of COVID-19.

Further, CMHA Ontario has compiled a list of services available by branch during the pandemic, as well as a list of other provincial mental health supports.