For some it means an inconvenience unlike any they have encountered and for others it means missed or shortened vacations. For everyone it means new terms like ‘social distancing’, ‘flattening the curve’ or ‘self-isolating’. For many it means sickness and, possibly, death.
Still for others, it could mean uncontrollable fear, anxiety, layoffs, financial difficulties, confusion, and possibly even thoughts of suicide.
Due to our collective agreements, most members of the IAMAW have some type of counselling benefits. While this is true, some only have limited funds available for services, while others have none at all.
As Canadians, we also have services available to us that can help offset the cost of counselling and help us deal with our concerns. Below is a list of counselling services available across the country. Some provide telephone help, others provide the ability to chat online, and others can offer conventional counseling for a fee.
Below are some resources you can access during these difficult times.
Canada
811 Telehealth
211 United Way
Ending Violence Canada: https://endingviolencecanada.org/getting-help/
Crisis Services Canada: https://www.crisisservicescanada.ca/en/
E-Mental Health (most provinces and territories): https://www.ementalhealth.ca/
If you are concerned for your own or someone else’s immediate safety, call 911.
General Community Resources
Many provinces have a 211 number for information about community and government services. This is currently available in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, Québec, Saskatchewan and Nova Scotia.
Violence and Sexual Violence Support
Sheltersafe is an online resource to help women and their children seeking safety from violence and abuse. The clickable map is a fast resource to connect women with the nearest shelter that can offer safety, hope and support. This resource is for women directly impacted by violence as well as for their concerned friends, family, colleagues and employers. Sheltersafe.ca is an initiative of Women’s Shelters Canada.
Money Problems?
Credit Canada is a non-profit organisation which helps Canadians overcome debt problems and improve their personal money management skills
British Columbia
HealthLink BC: https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/mental-health-substance-use/resources/crisis-line
Crisis Lines BC: https://www.crisislines.bc.ca/
VictimLink
Phone: 1-800-563-0808
TTY accessible at 604-875-0885; to call collect, contact the Telus Relay Service at 711. Text VictimLink BC at 604-836-6381. VictimLinkBC@bc211.ca
Women Against Violence Against Women
24-Hour Crisis Line: 604-255-6344 or
National Toll-free 1-877-392-7583
Alberta
Alberta Health Services:
https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/findhealth/Service.aspx?id=6810&serviceAtFacilityID=1047134
Can We Talk: http://canwetalk.ca/get-help-if-you-need-it/types-of-help/
Family Violence Information Line:
Toll-free 24-Hour Crisis Line/ Online Chat: 310-1818 (over 170 languages available)
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan Health Authority:
https://www.saskhealthauthority.ca/news/stories/Pages/2019/January/Mental-Health-supports-only-a-phone-call-away.aspx
Saskatchewan Government:
https://www.saskatchewan.ca/government/news-and-media/2019/august/13/free-mental-health-walk-ins
Saskatoon Interval House
24-Hour Crisis Line: 1-888-338-0880
Regina Transition House
24-Hour Crisis Line: 306-569-2292
Manitoba
Manitoba E-Mental Health
https://www.ementalhealth.ca/Manitoba/Crisis-Lines-including-Telephone-Online-and-Chat/index.php?m=heading&ID=21
Government of Manitoba, Mental Health:
https://www.gov.mb.ca/health/mh/crisis.html
Manitoba Association of Women’s Shelters
24 Hour Crisis Line: 1-877-977-0007
Klinic/ Sexual Assault Crisis Program
24-Hour Crisis Line: 1-888-322-3019
YWCA-Westman Women Shelter
Ontario
Ontario E-Mental Health
https://www.ementalhealth.ca/Ontario/Crisis/index.php?m=crisis
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health:
https://www.camh.ca/en/health-info/guides-and-publications/looking-for-mental-health-services
The Assaulted Women’s Helpline
Toll-free: 1-866-863-0511
TTY: 1-866-863-7868
Pour les services en français, veuillez appeler FEM’AIDE:
1-877-336-2433 (sans frais)
1-866-860-7082 (ATS)
Six Nations Crisis Line – Six Nations Crisis Services
1-866-445-2204 or 519-445-2404
Quebec
Ami Québec
https://amiquebec.org/
S.O.S. Violence Conjugale
Montreal: 514-873-9010
Toll-free: 1-800-363-9010
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia Government, Mental Health
https://novascotia.ca/dhw/healthy-communities/suicide-prevention-help.asp
Transition House Association of Nova Scotia
Crisis numbers are listed by region
Shelters listed by region
http://thans.ca/our-shelters/
Avalon Sexual Assault Centre Halifax
After an immediate sexual assault (within 5 days or 120 hours), call: 902-425-0122
Prince Edward Island
PEI Mental Health Services
https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/information/health-pei/mental-health-services
Anderson House Shelter
24-Hour Crisis Line: 1-800-240-9894
New Brunswick
Chimo HelpLine
http://www.chimohelpline.ca/
Fredericton Sexual Assault Crisis Centre
24-Hour Crisis Line: 506-454-0437
Newfoundland and Labrador
Bridge the Gap
https://www.bridgethegapp.ca/adult/service-directory/service_directory_category/emergency/
Newfoundland and Labrador Sexual Assault Crisis and Prevention Centre
24-Hour Crisis Line: 1-800-726-2743
Nunavut
Assaulted Women’s Helpline
In English and French
24-Hour Crisis Line: 1-866-863-0511
Kamatsiaqtut Nunavut Helpline
Looking for mental health support?
Let the Kamatsiaqtut Help Line provide support in your time of need.
Call us. 24 hours a day. Every day. 867.979.3333
nunavuthelpline.ca
Yukon
Yukon Women’s Transition Home
24-Hour Crisis Line: 867-668-5733
Distress and Support Line – All Ages
7 pm-12 am 7 days a week (PST) 1-844-533-3030
Badge of Life
Yukon Crisis Resources
Northwest Territories
Northwest Help Line
https://www.hss.gov.nt.ca/en/services/nwt-help-line
Northwest Territories Health and Social Services—Family Violence Services for Women
Crisis Numbers Listed by Region
The Healing Journey Northwest Territories
Aboriginal Transition Houses and Family Violence Crisis Lines
Crisis Numbers Listed by Region
NWT Help Line
Serving Northwest Territories
Crisis Line: 1-800-661-0844
As always you can contact our offices and we can put you in touch with someone that can find you counseling for a fee near you.
