Reach out if the pandemic is impacting on your mental health
Reach out if the pandemic is impacting on your mental health
COVID-19 has forced the cancellation or postponement of celebratory parades, parties, gatherings in parks, picnics, film screenings, and other events planned by the sexual- and gender-diverse communities.
But COVID-19 is not solely about managing the impact on our physical health. Professionals are feeling the impact of the next public health tsunami resulting from the pandemic – mental health.
One of the hardest hit populations, suggest counsellors and other mental health experts, is the 2SLGBTQ+ community. The losses of community, shared experiences, and safe spaces are leading to more isolation and subsequent health issues, feeding into mounting anxiety already created by uncertainties surrounding the pandemic.
The Canadian organization Egale, in partnership with Innovative Research Group, released a report on April 6 describing the impact of COVID-19 on the 2SLGBTQ community. The report says:
- 42% of the LGBTQI2S community reported significant impacts on their mental health in the current situation compared to 30% of non-LGBTQI2S people.
- The expected significant impact on mental health in two months rises to 58% for the LGBTQI2S community compared to 42% of non-LGBTQI2S people.
To see the full report, go to https://egale.ca/egale-in-action/covid19-impact-report/
COVID-19 and its resulting restrictions can be especially difficult for 2SLGBTQ+ youth. The Trevor Project, a U.S.-based organization, says that physical distancing, for example, can cause the loss or decrease of positive social interactions that protect vulnerable youth. They can also be confined in an environment that is unsupportive or abusive. To read the Trevor Project report, go to https://www.thetrevorproject.org/2020/04/03/implications-of-covid-19-for-lgbtq-youth-mental-health-and-suicide-prevention/
Levi Barton is a member of Niagara’s 2SLGBTQ+ community and a front-line day treatment addiction counsellor at Community Addiction Service of Niagara (CASON). When COVID-19 emerged, CASON moved to phone counselling. Groups are now held virtually. Day treatments are offered in person, socially distanced, and the number is capped for safety. That may change if numbers of infections continue to spike.
“I’m observing professionally that not as many people are reaching out or reconnecting to service after a relapse or a slip,” says Levi. “Mental health and addiction services are open and while it may look different, the support is still there. If anyone is concerned about addiction or are drinking, using substances, or gambling, then reach out to CASON. We offer both harm reduction and abstinence options. We also support family members who are coping with a loved one’s addiction. The important thing, in addition to basics like sleep and nutrition, is to reach out.”
He adds that the Distress Centre of Niagara line is accessible 24 hours, 365 days and is available to anyone who needs to process or vent. They do not give advice and are trained to actively listen. They also have a text service.
Online supports are available now until 2am EST. Text SUPPORT to 258258 to connect with responders from 2 p.m. to 2 a.m. or visit the site dcontario.org and click “chat now”. Telephone support is also available. Call 905-688-3711 (St. Catharines and area); 905-734-1212 (Welland and area); 905-563-6674 (Grimsby and area); and 905-382-0689 (Fort Erie and area).
The Mental Health & Addictions Access Line, which Levi helped to launch, is a coalition of 16 Niagara agencies. They are available 24/7 and can be called by anyone concerned about their mental health or addiction or someone else’s. Listeners will determine what’s going on and what you’ve tried and then make the appropriate referral(s). The Access Line has agreements with each agency and will provide a time window that the agency will call the client. Interim supports are provided if there is a wait list. (1-866-550-5205 x2)
COAST line mental health workers provide real-time supports and coping strategies. If someone is concerned about someone else they can call COAST and COAST will check in with that person and offer their service. (1-866-550-5205 x1)
Levi encourages people to reach out to the COAST line mental health for local supports. Quest Community Health Centre, a supporter of the access line, has specific supports for Niagara’s 2SLGBTQ+ community. He also suggests clicking on https://takecare19.com for online support by category.
“Personally, I’ve had trauma come up throughout this,” says Levi. “Reaching out and talking to loved ones is important but what is most important is reaching out to a counsellor as it has done wonders for me. We are all dealing with this in different levels but it will be traumatic for everyone having things uprooted, which is why I stress that you should reach out and talk.”
