COVID-19 Q&A:
I need help for my mental health but I don't want to go to an Emergency Room and expose myself to COVID. What should I do?
Answer:
It's normal for situations like Coronavirus (COVID-19) to affect your mental health. Everyone will experience these events in their own way. At The Royal, in order to reduce risks related to COVID-19, we have suspended all day programs, outreach services, and drop-in activities until further notice for our clients.
While it is always recommended to keep taking your medication prescribed by your family doctor, we understand that sometimes during stressful situations, taking our medication may not be too much for you at this time. Stopping our prescribed medication can have an impact on our mental health in a negative way, i.e., more anxious, severe depression, paranoia, etc.
If you feel your mental health is worsening, you may also want to ask your family doctor/nurse practitioner or psychiatrist about a referral to The Royal’s new C-PROMPT clinic. It’s staffed by a team of mental health nurses, psychiatrists, psychologists, and social workers who can provide the following services: urgent assessments, medication support, short-term psychotherapy (maximum four sessions per client), and help with accessing other services. Read more about it right here.
If you are in danger or feeling suicidal, please call 9-1-1- or go to your local hospital where they have safety and screening measures in place for COVID-19.
Below is a listing of more mental health resources available:
- Crisis Line, call +1 (613) 722-6914 (within Ottawa) or +1 (866) 996-0991 (outside Ottawa)
- Youth Services Bureau - +1 (613) 260-2360 or +1 (877) 377-7775 (toll free for Eastern Ontario)
- Distress Centre Ottawa and Region 24/7 - +1 (613) 238-3311
- First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness Help Line 24/7 (Bilingual, Other) - +1 (855) 242-3310
- Ontario Online & Text Crisis Services – Chat 2:00 pm to 2:00 am | Text 2:00 pm to 2:00 am to #258258
- Canada Suicide Prevention Service – Text 4:00 pm to 12:00 am to #45645
