We discussed ways to keep moving forward in COVID by learning new skills, especially skills that allow us to connect with each other, such as by becoming Zoom experts like facilitator Hailee! Some of us also found new appreciation for old skills. Sharing new hobbies or new expressions of hobbies with our families and communities either virtually or by activities like dropping off delicious baked goods we found was a great way to stay connected and express care.
Joanna shared a quote which invited us to think about how we can take COVID as an opportunity to mindfully move forward and “lock in a new normal” by deciding what habits and methods of living we have enjoyed learning during COVID that we would like to hold on to. We invited everyone to consider how they have stretched or grown during COVID 19.
Participants also received a list of resources including resources on mental health, relationships, finances, fun, and self-care. but we are also sharing them here with you below this post, and at this link!
If you’re interested in attending one of our other webinar events, the next event will be November 26th 2020 at 7pm, and will feature speaker Brendan Johnson from the Guelph Neighborhood Support coalition. To register for this FREE event, please head to Eventbrite by clicking here!
Resources to help through Covid
Mental Health
10 Things you can do right now to reduce anxiety, stress, worry related to COVID-19
https://bouncebackontario.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/BounceBack-Tip-Sheet-Covid19-EN.pdf
Canadian Mental Health Association
https://cmhaww.ca/
Covid 19 - Helping Ourselves. Helping Each Other
https://www.here4help.ca/
Course - Free 3 hour online course you can take at your own pace.
Mind Control - Managing your Mental Health During Covid https://www.coursera.org/learn/manage-health-covid-19
Living Life to the Full – Helping You to Help Yourself (January - March 2021)
12 HOURS THAT CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE Cost $50 total for the 12 weeks
https://cmhaww.ca/events/llttf-winter2020/
Webinar events hosted by CMHA
https://cmhaww.ca/events/
BounceBack 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. To receive telephone coaching support, clients must either be referred by their primary care provider (family doctor, nurse practitioner) or psychiatrist, or they may self-refer as long as they’re connected with a primary care provider. For those who are not quite ready for coaching, our online videos can provide helpful tips.
Youth 15-18 https://bouncebackontario.ca/what-is-bounceback-youth/
Adults 19 + https://bouncebackontario.ca/adults-19/
Impacts of Covid on Mental Health in our Community
https://www.guelphcf.ca/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=-kDSQDcIjsA%3d&tabid=100
Managing Stress, Anxiety and Substance Abuse During Covid 1
https://www.ccsa.ca/sites/default/files/2020-04/CCSA-COVID-19-Stress-Anxiety-and-Substance-Use-Health-Care-Providers-Infographic-2020-en.pdf
Tips on Talking to Someone in Crisis during Covid 19
https://www.mentalhealthcommission.ca/sites/default/files/2020-03/Tips_Active_Listening_COVID_eng.pdf
Prioritize Your Mental Wellness While Working from Home
https://www.mentalhealthcommission.ca/sites/default/files/2020-06/tip_sheet_working_from_home_eng.pdf
Relationships
Power of relationships - video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RijQpsWEdrE
How to start dating during Covid Article
https://people.com/health/how-to-start-relationship-dating-during-covid/
Relationships, community and planning
Ontario Independent Facilitation Network (OIFN)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRFaPgKWflY
How to Build Closer Friendships - video
Thomas Frank
https://youtu.be/JiF8drvonf8
10 Ways to make and keep a friend
Psychology today
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/friendship-20/201605/10-ways-make-and-keep-friendships-adult#:~:text=10%20Ways%20to%20Make%20%28and%20Keep%29%20Friendships%20as,End%20poisonous%20friendships.%2010%20Remember%20the%20little%20things.
21 Ways to build strong friendships
https://tinybuddha.com/blog/21-ways-to-build-strong-friendships/
Self care
Self Care - What it really is - video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBn0ETS6XDk
How to get your life together - self care routine - video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SuaDEioc2j4
A self care action plan - video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0iVTQS8ftg
20 Self Care Routine Ideas - video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhVXjq7VUR8
50 Ways for self care
https://www.loveemblog.com/2020/08/50-ways-to-practice-self-care.html#:~:text=%2050%20Ways%20To%20Practice%20Self-Care%20%201,a%20quick%20run%2017%20Try%20meditation%20More%20
Why is Self Care so Important
https://lifehacker.com/why-self-care-is-so-important-1770880812
45 Simple Self Care Strategies
https://tinybuddha.com/blog/45-simple-self-care-practices-for-a-healthy-mind-body-and-soul/
Headspace app
https://www.headspace.com/
The Power of Gratitude
https://www.successconsciousness.com/blog/personal-development/power-of-gratitude/
Gratitude experiment - video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5lZBjWDR_c
If you think mindfulness isn't for you
https://auness-is-it-for-you.reachout.com/articles/mindful
Free Mindfulness resources
http://www.freemindfulness.org/download
https://mindfulnessexercises.com/free-guided-meditations-mindfulness-talks/
https://youtu.be/cyIQ6DNAuC4
25 Stay at Home Self Care Ideas
https://www.premierhealth.com/your-health/articles/healthnow/25-stay-at-home-self-care-ideas-during-covid-19
Cultivating Resilience in the Wake of Covid 19
https://www.mentalhealthcommission.ca/sites/default/files/2020-09/covid_19_tip_sheet_resilience_eng.pdf
Finances
Managing Financial Health in Challenging times
https://www.canada.ca/en/financial-consumer-agency/services/covid-19-managing-financial-health.html
Managing Covid 19 Financial Stress
https://www.mentalhealthcommission.ca/sites/default/files/2020-06/covid_tip_sheet_financial_stress_eng.pdf
Fun
Video Games for Wellbeing
https://checkpointorg.com/games-for-health/
What to do while in isolation covid 19 resources - Disability Sector Resources
https://connectability.ca/what-to-do-while-in-isolation-covid-19-resources/
Stay-at-home activities website links, here are a few:
https://themighty.com/2020/03/bored-covid19-social-distancing/
https://www.familyvacationcritic.com/things-to-do-at-home-with-kids-during-coronavirus-outbreak/art/
https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/reviewedcom/2020/03/17/50-things-you-need-stay-home-while-social-distancing-during-coronavirus-outbreak/5057159002/
https://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/30-fun-things-home.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJREjXEAOfQ
50 fun things to do in Winter https://www.wisebread.com/50-fun-things-to-do-when-youre-stuck-inside-during-winter#:~:text=50%20Fun%20Things%20to%20Do%20When%20You%27re%20Stuck,Take%20an%20Online%20Class%20or%20Tutorial.%20More%20items
Plain Language Materials
Plain Language Information on Coronavirus
https://selfadvocacyinfo.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Plain-Language-Information-on-Coronavirus.pdf
Coronavirus - What is it and what can I do
http://thearc.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Coronavirus-What-Is-It-and-What-Can-I-Do-The-Arc-MD.pdf
Important Things to know about Covid19
https://heller.brandeis.edu/lurie/pdfs/resources/covid-guide.pdf
Information about Covid
https://www.peoplefirstofcanada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/COVID19InfoForPFCBoard-1.pdf
Resources
P4P- Partners 4 Planning http://www.partnersforplanning.ca/
Family Education & Support Services - familyess.org
ConnectABILITY.ca - A resource site provided by Community Living Toronto
https://connectability.ca/en/
Autism Ontario autismontario.com
Mental Health Commission https://www.mentalhealthcommission.ca