As a college, we are facing this unprecedented challenge together. The Wellness Team has put together some resources that promote mental well-being, including reminders of existing NorQuest College resources that individuals can access during this time. Please note that, as this is an ever-changing situation, resources may also change.
Alberta Health Services
Join Dr. Nicolas Mitchell, the Provincial Medical Director for Addiction and Mental Health in videos as he discusses and provides tips to common mental topics and challenges people may be experiencing during COVID.
The CASA Centre has launched a web series, “The Impact of Pandemic on Mental Health”, to support families and community members in dealing with the mental health concerns related to the pandemic, which will be an ongoing interactive online series streamed live from CASA Centre, featuring insights from CASA staff, psychiatrists, families, youth and more.
To stream and for more information, head to https://www.casaservices.org/web-series.
This is a free program through Alberta Health Services that provides daily texts with resources and tools to support building coping skills during COVID 19.
Learn more about Text4hope.
A blog post normalizing parenting challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic with tips on supporting children balanced with self-kindness.
A free children’s book written to help children explore their feelings about, and cope with, COVID-19.
This guide is available in many different languages and provides information along with tools to address worry and anxiety.
The Mental Health Commission has created some handouts to assist in developing a plan to take care of yourself during this time. This document also has a list of resources available across Canada as well as specific supports for each province and territory.
This resources was created by Alberta Health Services with some tips to support your mental health during this time.
Alberta Health Services: Mental Wellness Moment
Location: Room 1-101, Singhmar Centre for Learning Edmonton Campus
Phone: 780.644.6155
Fax: 780.644.6151
Email: wellness@norquest.ca
Monday - Friday 8:15am - 4:30pm Appointments can be made in-person or by phone.
Note: Student services are available to all NorQuest students but may not be delivered on-site at all campuses.
Alberta Health Services – Help in Tough Times
Alberta Health Services has put together a wide range of resources to support the community on a variety of topics during this time. Some of topics covered are: various mental health supports, how to support others, information regarding loss and grief, wildfire supports, relationship and parenting resources.
This resource offers free 30-minute mindfulness sessions on Zoom.
These apps are available on both Apple and Android and offer mindful meditations for wellness, sleep, improving focus, and managing stress. Headspace is free for 10 sessions. Smiling Mind is free all the time and includes activities for all ages. Try it for 10 minutes or enjoy an extended version!
In addition to the Apps mentioned in #2, here are some stress reduction exercises for managing stress and anxiety that can be accessed via the internet. The stress reduction exercises also include options for kids.
This website offers written, video, audio and mobile application resources with a broad range of strategies for coping with stress and anxiety.
This website is a great resource for guys looking for information and practical ways to manage depression and stress. Includes up-to-date posts and lots of good ideas on how to stay well.
This website offers self-help modules on a wide range of mental health concerns including depression, anxiety, mood disorders, procrastination and sleep. It provides education on each of these concerns and useful ways to change thinking patterns and behaviours to move towards wellness.
Creating Your Personal Stress-Management Plan
A ten-point guide to managing stress, including identifying the problem, taking care of your body, and dealing with difficult emotions. Includes a stress plan template with prompts and questions for the user to complete.
Togetherall
Togetherall is a clinically moderated, online peer-to-peer mental health community that empowers Albertans aged 16+ to anonymously seek and provide support 24/7.
Students can book a phone or virtual counselling appointment with one of our mental health professionals. Services are available Monday to Friday, 8:15 am to 4:30 pm, and can be accessed by calling 780.644.6155 or emailing wellness@norquest.ca.
Every 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month, join us online to connect with others and try your hand at a range of wellness activities. Click here for more information.
7 Cups of Tea (also called 7 Cups) is a website and mobile app that allows college students to get 24/7 emotional support from anywhere in the world – all for free! It is a peer-to-peer chat that matches students who want to talk with listeners who are caring, trained, and non-judgmental. Conversations are text based and private.
7 Cups offers personal growth paths that students can work on independently to make wellness a daily habit. You’ll also get support along the way from trained volunteer listeners. Doing simple activities to relax and manage stress can significantly improve your well-being.
Additional information about 7 Cups
MyWellness is a resource providing students access to mental health and wellness information. This tool is completely free to you, compliments of the Students Association of NorQuest College (SANQC). MyWellness also has online counselling services where you can participate in group sessions, couple sessions, or individual sessions for an extremely reduced rate! Your first session is completely free.
For more information about MyWellness and SANQC services, contact your SANQC program and services coordinator via email students.association@norquest.ca or visit My Wellness on MyStudentPlan.ca
The SANQC is available for some assistance with basic needs for students, including food bank. Contact SANQC by sending them a message
The following crisis lines and online chat options are here to help:
780.482.4357 (HELP) 24-hr phone line for providing confidential listening and support for those in crisis or distress.
780.342.7777 A mental health team that may go on location (e.g., to your home) to assess and stabilize a crisis situation (e.g. suicidal ideation or intention, anxiety, fear, paranoia, schizophrenia, and other unusual behavior).
780.423.4121 Available 9 AM - 9 PM Crisis line for survivors of past and current sexual assault. For 24/7 support, contact The Central Alberta Sexual Assault Centre for phone/text support at 1-866-956-1099.
1.855.242.3310 24-hr phone line for providing confidential listening and support for First Nations and Inuit individuals.
1.833.456.4566 (Available 24/7) Phone support, online chat, or text for those in distress Text: 45645 ONLINE CHAT (Chat/text available 2 PM - 10 PM daily)
Available weeknights 6 PM - 10 PM, and weekends 12 PM - 4 PM https://edmonton.cmha.ca
Available 3 PM - 10 PM daily) http://www.distresscentre.com
For individuals under age 30. Available 7 PM - 1 AM daily. http://youthspace.ca
1.866.332.2322 24-hr crisis line dealing with alcohol, drugs, gambling and tobacco; provides information and referral to programs and services.
Every first and third Wednesday of the month, join us online to connect with others and try your hand at a range of wellness activities. Click here for more information.
780.757.0900 or info@walkinedmonton.org or complete online intake form at https://www.momentumcounselling.org/book-an-online-or-phone-appointment/
Online and telephone counselling appointments available on sliding scale based on household income. In person appointments suspended at this time due to COVID-19.
Edmonton: 780.391.3233 or Wetaskiwin: 780.352.5535 www.cssalberta.ca/Our-Services/Mercy-Counselling
Telephone counselling services are provided on a sliding fee scale ($35-190/hr.) based on family income. Internet access is required for this service. Call for more information or to connect with an intake worker. Video counselling is planned to begin March 30, 2020.
780.482.6215 or complete online intake form at https://www.cornerstonecounselling.com/request-an-appointment/
In person, online and telephone counselling appointments available on sliding scale based on household income. Some restrictions apply to in person appointments based on COVID-19.
https://www.dropinyeg.ca/locations/ Free phone counselling available for a variety of mental health concerns. Psychological services provided by supervised Intern Therapists who are completing their Master or PhD in therapy or other counselling areas.
Send an email to therapy-leads@familycentre.org or call 780.423.2831 if you would like to have a phone counselling session with a mental health therapist.
2-1-1 is a comprehensive information and referral service to community resources, available in eight provinces across Canada. Their website is currently providing up to date information regarding changes to community resources as a result of COVID-19. Students across Alberta can call or text STUDENT to 211 or visit www.ab.211.ca and click “live chat” 24/7 to reach a live person, a community resource specialist who will listen, connect and refer to appropriate community resources.
Call 780-644-9992 for financial support, to apply for income support. They are available Monday to Friday 8:15am-4:30pm. The option of attending the office is not available. Call for further direction.
Call 780.644.5135 for support in emergency situations. For example, when in need of food vouchers, emergency accommodation, needing to fill a prescription and pay for medication or transportation to flee for safety etc. Call and they will be able to tell you if your situation is an emergency or not.