Public health authorities around the world are taking action to contain the COVID-19 outbreak. Dalton Associates is proud to join the nation in the proactive response to COVID-19 by offering confidential, secure and easily accessible virtual mental health services. Use your phone, tablet or home computer to reach out and address some of the stress that comes with living in a world that is in the midst of surviving a pandemic.
Our technology allows for the opportunity to receive essential services while still practicing social distancing. Our secure distance counselling platform allows us to continue offering mental health support while many of us stay at home to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
During this time, no one is immune to the psychological and financial hardships brought on by this pandemic. The normal fears and anxieties that arise when coping with prolonged exposure to a life-threatening disease are compounded by enforced isolation and financial insecurities. As a result, countless Ontarians are suffering from acute mental health stressors.
Many individuals residing in Ontario are fortunate in that they have access to desperately needed mental health services. They are able to obtain professional support through their health insurance plans, through publicly funded services or, for those with financial means, they can purchase the services privately.
However, we are sadly aware that thousands of Ontarians who are struggling with severe anxiety because of COVID-19 do not have health insurance, do not have timely access to publicly funded services, and do not have the financial means to purchase these services privately.
It is the suffering of those individuals, couples and families, who cannot afford to access our services, that weighs heavily on our minds. A number of our associates, Psychotherapists and Social Workers, have volunteered to offer free phone and/or online brief therapy/consultation services during the time of this pandemic.
Click here to read the eligibility criteria and to register for free mental health services.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has developed several mental health considerations as support for mental and psychological well-being during the COVID-19 outbreak:
1. COVID-19 has and is likely to affect people from many countries, in many geographical locations. Don’t attach it to any ethnicity or nationality. Be empathetic to those who got affected, in and from any country, those with the disease have not done anything wrong.
2. Don’t refer to people with the disease as “COVID-19 cases”, “victims” “COVID-19 families”, or the “diseased”. They are “people who have COVID-19”, “people who are being treated for COVID-19”, “people who are recovering from COVID-19” and, after recovering from COVID- 19 their life will go on with their jobs, families and loved ones.
3. Avoid watching, reading or listening to news that cause you to feel anxious or distressed; seek information for the purposes of taking practical steps to prepare your plans and protect yourself and loved ones. Seek information updates at specific times during the day once or twice. The sudden and near-constant stream of news reports about an outbreak can cause anyone to feel worried. Get the facts. Gather information at regular intervals, from WHO website and local health authorities platforms, in order to help you distinguish facts from rumors.
4. Protect yourself and be supportive to others. Assisting others in their time of need can benefit the person receiving support as well as the helper.
5. Find opportunities to amplify the voices, positive stories and positive images of local people who have experienced the new coronavirus (COVID-19) and have recovered or who have supported a loved one through recovery and are willing to share their experience.
6. Honor caretakers and healthcare workers supporting people affected with COVID-19 in your community. Acknowledge the role they play to save lives and keep your loved ones safe.
Source: World Health Organization. (2020, March 6). Mental Health Considerations during COVID-19 Outbreak.
Retrieved from https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronavirusemental-health-considerations.pdf?sfvrsn=6d3578af_2
1. Help children find positive ways to express disturbing feelings, such as fear and sadness. Every child has his/her own way to express emotions. Sometimes engaging in a creative activity, such as playing, and drawing, can facilitate this process. Children feel relieved if they can express and communicate their disturbing feelings in a safe and supportive environment.
2. Keep children close to their parents and family, if considered safe for the child, and avoid separating children and their caregivers as much as possible. If a child needs to be separated from his/her primary caregiver, ensure that appropriate alternative care is and that a social worker, or equivalent, will regularly follow up on the child. Further, ensure that during periods of separation, regular contact with parents and caregivers is maintained, such as twice-daily scheduled phone or video calls or other age-appropriate communication (e.g., social media depending on the age of the child).
3. Maintain familiar routines in daily life as much as possible, especially if children are confined to home. Provide engaging age appropriate activities for children. As much as possible, encourage children to continue to play and socialize with others, even if only within the family when advised to restrict social contract.
4. During times of stress and crisis, it is common for children to seek more attachment and be more demanding on parents Discuss COVID-19 with your children in honest and age-appropriate ways. If your children have concerns, addressing those together may ease their anxiety. Children will observe adults’ behaviors and emotions for cues on how to manage their own emotions during difficult times.
Source: World Health Organization. (2020, March 6). Mental Health Considerations during COVID-19 Outbreak.
Retrieved from https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronavirusemental-health-considerations.pdf?sfvrsn=6d3578af_2
1. Older adults, especially those in isolation and those who have cognitive decline/dementia, may become more anxious, angry, stressed, agitated, and withdrawn during the outbreak/while in quarantine. Provide practical and emotional support through informal networks (families) and health professionals.
2. Share simple facts about what is going on and give clear information about how to reduce risk of infection in words older people with/without cognitive impairment can understand. Repeat the information whenever necessary. Instructions need to be communicated in a clear, concise, respectful and patient way. And it may also be helpful for information to be displayed in writing or pictures. Engage their family and other support networks in providing information and helping them practice prevention measures (e.g. handwashing etc.)
3. If you have an underlying health condition, make sure to have access to any medications that you are currently using. Activate your social contacts to provide you with assistance, if needed.
4. Be prepared and know in advance where and how to get practical help if needed, like calling a taxi, having food delivered and requesting medical care. Make sure you have up to two weeks of all your regular medicines that you may require.
5. Learn simple daily physical exercises to perform at home, in quarantine or isolation so you can maintain mobility and reduce boredom.
6. Keep regular routines and schedules as much as possible or help create new ones in a new environment, including regular exercising, cleaning, daily chores, singing, painting or other activities. Keep in regular contact with loved ones (e.g. via telephone, e-mail, social media or video conference).
Source: World Health Organization. (2020, March 6). Mental Health Considerations during COVID-19 Outbreak.
Retrieved from https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronavirusemental-health-considerations.pdf?sfvrsn=6d3578af_2
1. Stay connected and maintain your social networks. Even in situations of isolations, try as much as possible to keep your personal daily routines. If health authorities have recommended limiting your physical social contact to contain the outbreak, you can stay connected via e-mail, social media, video conference and telephone.
2. During times of stress, pay attention to your own needs and feelings. Engage in healthy activities that you enjoy and find relaxing. Exercise regularly, keep regular sleep routines and eat healthy food. Keep things in perspective. Public health agencies and experts in all countries are working on the outbreak to ensure the availability of the best care to those affected.
3. A near-constant stream of news reports about an outbreak can cause anyone to feel anxious or distressed. Seek information updates and practical guidance at specific times during the day from health professionals and WHO website and avoid listening to or following rumors that make you feel uncomfortable.
Source: World Health Organization. (2020, March 18). Mental Health Considerations during COVID-19 Outbreak.
Retrieved from https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronavirusemental-health-considerations.pdf?sfvrsn=6d3578af_2
Latest information from the Ontario Ministry of Health:
https://www.ontario.ca/page/2019-novel-coronavirus
Latest information from the Public Health Agency of Canada:
Latest information from WHO on where COVID-19 is spreading:
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/situation-reports/
For individuals who have access to professional support through their health insurance plans, Dalton Associates has more than 70 therapists offering counselling services over the telephone or via secure online video conferencing. Both options are compliant with Ontario’s Privacy Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA) and the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA).
B.F.A., M.F.A., Gestalt Therapist, M.Sc. Registered Psychotherapist
Barbara Smith practices counselling and therapy in Hamilton and Dundas under the supervision of a Registered Psychologist or Registered Psychological Associate who are members of the College of Psychologists of Ontario.
View Profile
B.Sc., RP, RCAT, DVati, Registered Psychotherapist
Heather Caruso is a registered psychotherapist (RP), trauma counselor, certified narcissistic abuse clinician and art therapist who offers in-person and online therapy for adults.
View Profile
B.A., B.Ed., M.Ed., Registered Psychotherapist
Claudine is a member of the Ontario Association of Mental Health Professionals (OAMHP) and member of the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario and practices under the supervision of a Registered Psychologist or Psychological Associate who are members of the College of Psychologists of Ontario.
View Profile
B.A Hons. Psyc., MA., RP (Qualifying)
Mary Zamil practices psychotherapy in Bradford, ON under the supervision of a Registered Psychologist or Registered Psychological Associate who are members of the College of Psychologists of Ontario.
View Profile
B.A.H.S. (Psychology), M.A. (Psychology), Registered Psychotherapist
Paitra offers Counselling/Psychotherapy services.
View Profile
MA, Registered Psychotherapist
Sarah Allen is a Registered Psychotherapist through the College of Registered Psychotherapist of Ontario.
View Profile
Positive Psychology Kit – Resource containing five of the most relevant tools to help you and help others to navigate uncertainty: https://positivepsychology.com/the-crisis-kit/
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Information on how to manage stress and anxiety during COVID-19: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/managing-stress-anxiety.html
American Psychological Association – Past research findings and tips to help reduce COVID-19 anxiety: https://www.apa.org/news/apa/2020/03/covid-19-research-findings
Guide to helping families cope with coronavirus: https://www.centerforstartservices.org/covid-19-resources
General coping with COVID19 uncertainty, self-isolation, and how to talk to kids about it.
https://www.iheartradio.ca/newstalk-1010/audio/podcasts/mar-14-ted-woloshyn-dr-vivien-lee-1.10758698
Mental health issues and management during COVID19:
https://www.iheartradio.ca/newstalk-1010/audio/podcasts/being-overwhelmed-with-covid-19-1.10793937
World Health Organization. (2020, March 6). Mental Health Considerations during COVID-19
Outbreak. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronavirusemental-health-considerations.pdf?sfvrsn=6d3578af_2
