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Living with Depression
Know that you are not alone and the feeling can be treated.
During these difficult times, it cannot be stated enough that your mental health matters. As you deal with the realities of COVID-19, it is understandable that your mood may start to take a turn for the worse.
When these moods start to last longer and affect your daily routine – your work and relationships – it may be depression. Know that you are not alone and the feeling can be treated.
It cannot be stated enough that your mental health matters.
You Are Not Alone
Depression affects hundreds of thousands of Canadians, of all ages, genders, and backgrounds. Everyone reacts differently to depression, and it should not be mistaken for just a feeling of sadness; the important thing to know is that it is treatable.
Your Mental Health Matters
The impact of COVID-19 has placed educators under tremendous stress, which can be draining to your mental health. Remember that you are only human. Be sure to meet your basic needs: eat, sleep, socialize, and take breaks. Check out this article on how to take care of yourself in any way that you need to.
Someone Is There For You
Don’t ever feel ashamed to seek treatment or care – the help you need is available. There are resources below that you can try, and a much larger list on our resources page.
If you are considering suicide or are concerned about someone who may be, call the Manitoba Suicide Prevention and Support line at 1-877-435-7170. You can also call the Canadian Suicide Prevention Service line at 1-833-456-4566. Someone will be ready to listen and speak to you.
Web Resources
For more information, we have compiled a list of resources to help you cope up with anxiety during these difficult days.
I Had a Black Dog: His Name Was Depression
Artist and writer Matthew Johnstone, who himself suffered from depression, has written and illustrated this moving and uplifting insight into what it is like to have a Black Dog as a companion. To learn more about the book, click here or watch the YouTube video.
Postpartum Depression Association of Manitoba
Postpartum Depression (PPD) affects 15% of families and can happen any time within the first year after birth. If you or someone you care about needs support to manage PPD, connect with the Postpartum Depression Association of Manitoba by calling or visit their website at https://www.ppdmanitoba.ca.
Canadian Mental Health Association – Provincial Districts
CMHA provides mental health and wellness supports and programs in branches across the Province of Manitoba. To learn more about support closer to your community, visit one of the branch website links below:
CMHA – Central
CMHA – Interlake-Eastern
CMHA – Manitoba and Winnipeg
CMHA Swan Valley
CMHA – Thompson
6 Tips to Respond to Employee Anxiety About COVID-19
Meant for employers and managers, this webpage created by the Canadian Mental Health Association contains tips for responding to the feeling of anxiety staff may be having.
7 Science-based Strategies to Cope with Coronavirus Anxiety
In this article hosted on The Conversation, psychologist Jelena Kecmanovic provides science-based methods on dealing with anxiety caused by COVID-19.
How to Stay Psychologically Healthy During the Coronavirus Outbreak
This article by Psychology Today provides proven techniques for managing stress and anxiety over the COVID-19 outbreak.
Tips for Supporting Your Mental Health Through the COVID-19 Pandemic
Written by BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services, this article contains a list of seven tips for maintaining a positive well-being during these difficult times.
COVID-19 Anxiety Coping Strategies
Provided by SafeCare BC, this graphic contains a quick guide that can easily be referenced for strategies to cope with the anxiety that may arise from COVID-19.
COVID-19 and Anxiety
This article written by the Canadian Mental Health Association’s BC Division is a reminder that it is normal to have feelings of anxiety in the situation caused by COVID-19. Rather than let it control your life, the article explains how you can take action to take care of your life.
Coping with COVID-19
Anxiety Canada knows you are not the only one struggling with anxiety during these difficult times. These series of town hall videos provide Canadians with effective strategies on dealing with the anxiety caused by COVID-19.
Depression Self Screening Test Offered Through Here to Help BC
Here to Help BC offers a variety of self-screening tests designed to look at symptoms that may be present in some mental illnesses.
Do You Feel Alone? You Are Not Alone.
Many others who have experienced depression have shared their personal stories.
Anti-Depressant Skills Workbook: A Self Care Guide
Using a cognitive and behavioural approach the ASW guides you to make important changes to help emerge from depression. ASW is available in multiple languages including: English, French, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Punjabi, Farsi, and Vietnamese.
Develop a Plan for Resilience
Workplace Strategies for Mental Health has created a booklet to assist in building a plan for resiliency.
Build Skills, Bounce Back
BounceBack® is a free skill-building program designed to help adults and youth 15+ manage low mood, mild to moderate depression, anxiety, stress or worry. Delivered online or over the phone with a coach.
Coronavirus and Mental Health: Taking Care of Ourselves During Infectious Disease Outbreaks
The American Psychiatric Association has some recommendations on how you can take care of yourself.
Looking For More?
Free resources to help with your anxiety available from your phone
Suicide Prevention Line
Call 1-877-435-7170
If you are considering suicide or are concerned about someone who may be, call the Suicide Prevention & Support line. Someone will be ready to listen and speak to you.
Call 1-877-435-7170 anytime.
Text4Mood
Text Mood to 760-670-3130
If you are suffering from depression or anxiety, Text4Mood sends you a daily inspirational text message to support positive mental health.
To join, text Mood to 760-670-3130.
