With Canadian Mental Health week wrapping up, organizations like WesForYouthOnline continue to do what they can to help youth in the region.
Executive Director Jenn Mulcaster says COVID-19 has been very difficult for everyone, and offered some coping methods people can try to utilize at home.
"Exercise is key, getting out for a walk, or anything you can do to kind of get your body moving. Writing a journal, we always recommend that for young people, just jotting down your thoughts, it's purely to get whatever is going on in your mind out."
Mulcaster also suggests drawing, music, a hot bath, playing with a pet or even doing household tasks can help take away stress.In terms of other available services, Mulcaster says she always recommends Kids Help Phone, which now has an app that's free, as well as Canadian Mental Health Services, Grey Bruce Health Services Crisis Team and Jack.org, which has many suggested coping mechanisms, strategies and other services for youth.
With the stresses of COVID-19 now a factor in young people's lives, Mulcaster says they have seen a big uptick in new youth using their free online counseling service, some even outside of Ontario.
"In the month of April, WesForYouth received 104 new registrations. So 104 youth from across the country, some are from out of province and signed up to use our service, but I'd say 90 percent are from Ontario."
After 104 last month, WesForYouthOnline already has 30 new registrants so far in May. Mulcaster says so many youth from all over the place wanting to reach out is a huge positive.
"Our growth is astronomical at this point, and that's great, kids are reaching out and they're asking questions and wanting to talk, which is fantastic. It's better than keeping it all bottled up."
Mulcaster notes that WesForYouthOnline isn't government funded, and with more youth registering every month, they would appreciate any type of donations at this time. You can do so by visiting their website.
