Delta MP Carla Qualtrough wants Delta residents to know the federal government has just set up a portal called Wellness Together Canada to provide help for Canadians with mental health issues during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The Government of Canada recognizes that COVID-19 will result in varying degrees of stress for many Canadians who will not have ready access to their regular support networks,” said Qualtrough, the minister of employment, workforce development and disability inclusion. “That is why the government is funding a virtual network of psycho-social supports.”
The new portal, https://ca.portal.gs/, will make it easier for Canadians to find credible information and help address mental health and substance use issues. The portal will also connect Canadians to peer support workers, social workers, psychologists and other professionals for confidential chat sessions or phone calls.
The portal’s home page states government recognizes the significant strain COVID-19 has placed on individuals and families across the country due to isolation, financial and employment uncertainty, and disruptions to daily life.
Wellness Together Canadaincludes modules for addressing low mood, worry, substance use, social isolation and relationship issues. It provides free online resources, tools, apps and connections to trained volunteers and qualified mental health professionals when needed.
The portal is the result of the work of a broad consortium of organizations, including Stepped Care Solutions, Kids Help Phone, Homewood Health, Greenspace Health, the Mental Health Commission of Canada and the Canadian Psychological Association.
