As COVID-19 cases soar and winter approaches, mental health providers in Windsor-Essex want to encourage people to reach out.
"If you're not sure if you might be struggling, you just feel a little bit off or you notice something isn't quite right, it's not your job, you don't have to worry about figuring out what it is, pick up the phone and call," said Executive Director of the House of Sophrosyne Karen Waddell.
Resources for mental health and addictions are available through Hotel-Dieu Grace Healthcare, Family Services Windsor-Essex, the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), Windsor Essex County Branch, and the House of Sophrosyne.
"The more accessible we make it for everyone to get support the easier it is for people to make that first call and then to get the support they need before the situation becomes a crisis," said HDGH CEO Janice Kaffer.
To help fight the COVID blues mental health professionals also encourage people to connect to those around them, focus on the positives instead of the negatives and give yourself grace on your off-days.
"We don't need to put the face on, we can just allow ourselves to be in that space," said Claudia den Boer, CEO, Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), Windsor Essex County Branch. "Reach out in one way or another, do not retreat and isolate yourself."
To find out more about the resources available in the community, check out this conversation with Mayor Drew Dilkens and mental health and addictions specialists in the community.
