Resources & Reducing Stress

Written By Stephanie Howe
We realize that in a time like this, you and your family may be experiencing heightened anxiety and other concerns. Please see our list of crisis resources. In the event of a mental health emergency, we suggest contacting the Distress Centre and/or Community Resource Team. The latest information we have received states that both of these services are still up and running.

For information on COVID-19:

coping with stress tips: 

We recommend that to manage your child’s stress (and your own), you attempt to maintain routines and keep things as structured as possible. This is especially important for kids with autism.

  • Try to create a schedule for the day with time for learning, time for fun, and time for relaxing.
  • For those homeschooling, here are some fun educational resources
  • It is easy to be overwhelmed by information. If you can, distance yourself and your child from social media. Pick up a good book, learn a new hobby, play games as a family, or use a good meditation app (we recommend Headspace or Calm).
  • Socially distancing is very important to slow the spread of the virus to vulnerable citizens. Even though we should stay apart physically, it is important to stay in touch with supports. Call or Facetime with your friends and make sure to take time to Facetime with your kiddos friends/or family!
  • Practice self-care. Take a walk outside, exercise, take time to relax. Even if you don’t have a home gym, there are great exercise and yoga videos on Youtube that don’t require equipment.

Ongoing distress:


If you or a member of your family is experiencing ongoing, impairing distress, it is recommended that you contact your primary health professional (e.g. General Practitioner, Pediatrician) to help evaluate and monitor the problem. If your primary health professional is not available, contact emergency or crisis support numbers below.

for Problems that require immediate attention:

·      Go to the nearest Emergency Department
·      Life-threatening emergencies: call 911

 Canada-wide crisis support:

·      Crisis Services Canada: call 1-833-456-4566 (24 hours) or text ‘Start’ to 45645 (4pm-midnight ET)
·      Kid’s Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868 (24 hour)

For a local list of Canadian crisis centres and resources by province/territory Click here

 

For up-to-date information about the coronavirus in Canada Click here

 

For provincial and territorial COVID-19 resources Click here

These are uncertain circumstances and things are changing every day, but stay confident in the fact that this too shall pass and the measures we take today will help ensure our health and the health of our community. 
Take care,
The Families Facing Covid-19 Team
Stephanie Howe
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