Dear colleagues and fellow community members,
We hope that you are remaining safe and well while navigating these challenging times. The COVID-19 pandemic has not only threatened our physical health, but it has also created significant stressors for our emotional wellbeing.
CASP welcomes the increasing dialogue about both the immediate and longer-term mental health needs and concerns that have emerged, knowing that they will only continue to grow over the course of this national crisis. We have received many questions about what this will mean for suicide in Canada, as we continue to support all of those who are responding on the frontlines as well as gathering information to help us better understand what the full impact will truly be.
Now that the focus has shifted to mental health and suicide, many of us are getting requests to share both our professional opinions and personal stories about how the novel coronavirus, with its physical, emotional, social and economic consequences, has added to and changed our risk for and response to suicide. CASP appreciates the importance of talking about suicide, but always in as safe a way as possible.
Keeping Well – Keeping Safe!
The Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention (CASP) is aware that the physical and economic challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic may impact your mental health and emotional state of well-being. Please reach out to connect with others and to keep yourself informed from reliable sources.
To support your self-care, we have identified a number of strategies and resources to help you through these challenging times.
Strategies
- Please follow the public health guidelines for keeping yourself well and safe.
- There is a lot of information through the media, we would encourage you to stay informed and regularly disconnect from continuous news stories.
- Whether you are working from home or you have been laid off, keep some structure and routine in your daily life, such as getting up at a set time in the morning, dressing, doing some scheduled activities (see below for suggestions).
- Enjoy social media, internet and television for diversion and connection and take some time out, too.
- Try to limit solitary activities and make sure you connect with others where possible. Maintain physical distancing while staying connected with your loved ones and social network (phone calls, facetime, messenger video, zoom, etc.).
- It’s hard not to think about the situation all the time and we would encourage you to give yourself breaks from anxious worrying and rumination. There are many Apps that offer meditation, mindfulness practices, and yoga. Most apps have a free section and a paying section; usually, the free section is enough (Headspace, Calm, Insight Timer, Zenfie, and many more). Many musicians, yoga studios, etc. are offering free online classes right now too.
- Rediscover the pleasure of reading, drawing, coloring, cooking, knitting, crochet, playing or listening to music, arts, and craft. Sing, dance, do nothing, enjoy the sun on your face, do that “thing” you have been wanting to do for so long but never had the time to.
- Reach out for help, it’s a sign of courage and wisdom!
Resources
Resources
article
Engage in dialogue with compassion and curiosity that can promote understanding and connection
article
Nine things you can do to help
pdf
Suicide worldwide in 2019 - Global Health Estimates
pdf
A high-level overview of what to consider when using suicide risk assessment tools
Dear colleagues and fellow community members,
We hope that you are remaining safe and well while navigating these challenging times. The COVID-19 pandemic has not only threatened our physical health, but it has also created significant stressors for our emotional wellbeing.
CASP welcomes the increasing dialogue about both the immediate and longer-term mental health needs and concerns that have emerged, knowing that they will only continue to grow over the course of this national crisis. We have received many questions about what this will mean for suicide in Canada, as we continue to support all of those who are responding on the frontlines as well as gathering information to help us better understand what the full impact will truly be.
Now that the focus has shifted to mental health and suicide, many of us are getting requests to share both our professional opinions and personal stories about how the novel coronavirus, with its physical, emotional, social and economic consequences, has added to and changed our risk for and response to suicide. CASP appreciates the importance of talking about suicide, but always in as safe a way as possible.
Keeping Well – Keeping Safe!
The Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention (CASP) is aware that the physical and economic challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic may impact your mental health and emotional state of well-being. Please reach out to connect with others and to keep yourself informed from reliable sources.
To support your self-care, we have identified a number of strategies and resources to help you through these challenging times.
Strategies
Resources
Resources
Vocabulary – How to Talk about Suicide
Engage in dialogue with compassion and curiosity that can promote understanding and connection
You Can Help With Suicide Prevention
Nine things you can do to help
Suicide worldwide in 2019 – Global Health Estimates
Suicide worldwide in 2019 - Global Health Estimates
Suicide Risk Assessment Kit
A high-level overview of what to consider when using suicide risk assessment tools
Related Information
Guidelines for Sharing Experiences with Suicide
Toolkit for People Impacted by a Suicide Loss
Ways to Donate
Events
How To Handle Distress Calls At Work