Mental Health Awareness Month
The Government of Canada How to Cope With Stressful Life Events
When learning to cope with a life altering diagnosis or the palliative care state of a loved one, loss can be one of life’s most triggering events. It takes time to heal, and every person handles loss and grief differently. Grief is by its very nature complex, and deeply personal. There is no one way to grieve, and the feelings, thoughts, reactions, and challenges related to grief are different within each individual and can change rapidly within different circumstances you yourself may experience over time. Often, these may seem counterintuitive or even at odds with each other. Experiencing the complexities of grief and loss can add a level of uncertainty, guilt, or confusion as to how you may be coping with the situations you find yourself in. When dealing with the complexities of grief or life- threatening illness, there is no right or wrong way to respond – we are all different. Remember that it is not necessarily helpful to tell yourself what you should be thinking, feeling, or doing after a diagnosis or serious health event – what matters most is how you process and act upon your own inner experiences and emotions. It is important to remember that when you are experiencing mental health struggles related to grief or loss, you must still be kind to yourself. Grief is part of being human, but that does not mean we have to go through the journey alone or without external support. It can be important and helpful to access resources and support during times of personal strife. The following supports are available, in addition to local resources that may be found in your own community. The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Check In on Your Mental Health has a variety of ways in which you can assess your own mental health and wellbeing. Additionally, there are CMHA Toolkits that will provide resources for you and for your community.
Visit Crisis Services Canada for the crisis centres nearest you.
Canada Suicide Prevention Service If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, call the Canada Suicide Prevention Service at 1-833-456-4566 (24/7). Kids Help Phone Call 1-800-668-6868 (toll-free) or text CONNECT to 686868. Available 24 hours a day to Canadians aged 5 to 29 who want confidential and anonymous care from trained responders. To access support through Facebook Messenger see the Kids Help Phone website. Hope for Wellness Help Line Call 1-855-242-3310 (toll-free) or connect to the online Hope for Wellness chat. Available to all Indigenous peoples across Canada who need immediate crisis intervention. Experienced and culturally sensitive help line counsellors can help if you want to talk or are distressed. Telephone and online counselling are available in English and French. On request, telephone counselling is also available in Cree, Ojibway and Inuktitut. Additional Resources: Canadian Mental Health Association Indigenous Mental Health Promotion: Recommended Resources Coping with a Life Threatening Illness Mental Health Awareness - Community Mental Health Action Plan
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