Mental Health Resources Available for Citizens, Businesses Affected by COVID-19

Stratford – For many people, the COVID-19 pandemic has created feelings of stress, anxiety, uncertainty and fear, and the City of Stratford would like to highlight some of the mental health supports available to our community.

The City of Stratford Social Services Department works in partnership with Family Services Perth-Huron to make a variety of counselling services available to its clients, including support for mental health and wellness. Information about those services is available at http://familyservicesperth-huron.ca/

For local business owners and entrepreneurs hit hard by COVID-19, help is available through investStratford, the Perth Community Futures Development Corporation and the Stratford Perth Community Foundation, and also made possible through financial donations from Orr Insurance and Hyde Construction. Those partners have funded a project with the United Way Perth Huron to connect local entrepreneurs to the team at Family Services Perth-Huron, who will provide mental health and wellness support and counselling to businesses in Stratford, St. Marys and Perth County.

Referrals to the program are made through the mentorship teams at both the Stratford-Perth Centre for Business (https://www.stratfordperthbusiness.ca), and Perth Community Futures (https://www.perthcfdc.ca).

The United Way Perth-Huron and the Stratford & Perth County Community Foundation are also providing support and services to individuals, organizations and families affected by COVID-19. Information is available at http://perthhuron.unitedway.ca and https://spccf.ca/

And all residents can access support through the Province of Ontario’s mental health supports including:

• ConnexOntario: Adults and frontline workers who are dealing with the realities of COVID-19 can call ConnexOntario at 1-866-531-2600 for mental health, addictions and problem gambling support. 
• BounceBack: A free, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) program that provides guided mental health self-help supports for adults and youth 15+. Call 1-866-345-0224
  
• Kids Help Phone: Children and youth 18 and under who need to talk to someone about their mental health can call Kids Help Phone at 1-800-668-6868, for 24/7 virtual, phone and text support.
• Good2Talk: A phone and texting service that provides confidential support to post-secondary students. Call 1-866-925-5454  or text GOOD2TALKON to 686868.

“These are difficult times, but we want people to know they’re not alone,” said Mayor Dan Mathieson. “Please don’t hesitate to ask for help if you need it, because we’re all in this together.”