Recognizing that there has undoubtedly been an information overload during the past month, I wanted to provide a simple guide to free resources in the group benefits, employee assistance, and mental health space related to Covid-19. See below for tools & resources that are available as we navigate these challenging times:

Wellness Together Canada (Partners include Government of Canada, Kids Help Phone, Homewood Health, Mental Health Commission of Canada, Canadian Psychological Association, Medavie):

https://ca.portal.gs/

Provides free online resources, tools, apps, and connections to trained volunteers and qualified mental health professionals. Includes a self-assessment leading to suggested tools and resources.

Homewood Health:

Covid-19 Pandemic Toolkit Link

Provides a Covid-19 Pandemic Toolkit full of communications, facts, information, articles, and newsletters.

Lifeworks Morneau Shepell:

Virtual Roundtable for HR Executives: YouTube Link

Webinar – Novel Coronavirus: Webinar Link

Webinar – Emotional well-being during Covid-19: Webinar Link

Webinar – Talking to you child about Covid-19: Webinar Link

Webinar – Introduction to working remotely: Webinar Link

WellCan (Corporate Partners Morneau Sheppell, Canada Life, Sunlife, Bell, Bell Let’s Talk):

Visit wellcan.ca or download the app on the Apple App Store or search “Wellcan” in the Google Play Store. The App allows for general assessments for depression, general anxiety, and substance abuse.

WellCan offers free well-being resources to help Canadians develop coping strategies and build resilience to help deal with uncertainty, mental health and substance abuse concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic. Available to all Canadian citizens and residents. 

Stronger Minds by BEACON (Sponsors Manulife, Greenshield):

https://www.mindbeacon.com/strongerminds

Free digital program for all Canadians to support your mental well-being through the Covid-19 crisis. Day-to-day guidance from BEACON’s team of clinical psychologists through videos, quick reads, and resilience-building activites.

Workplace Strategies for Mental Health (Compliments of Canada Life):

www.workplacestrategiesformentalhealth.com

The program was established in 2007 as the Great-West Life Centre for Mental Health in the Workplace and launched its new name on Sept. 29, 2019. It has three main objectives:

• Increase knowledge and awareness of workplace psychological health and safety
• Improve the ability to respond to mental health issues at work
• Turn knowledge into action through practical strategies and tools for employers

Insurance Carrier Plan Member Websites re: Covid-19:

Canada Life: https://www.canadalife.com/about-us/how-canada-life-is-supporting-you-during-covid-19.html

Cooperators: https://www.cooperators.ca/en/PublicPages/COVID-19.aspx

Desjardins: https://www.desjardinslifeinsurance.com/en/faq/faq-group-insurance-coronavirus?Province=QC

Greenshield: https://support.greenshield.ca/SupportCentre/Home/Home/DocumentsByTopic/region_coronavirus

Manulife: https://www.manulife.ca/personal/support/update-on-covid-19/covid-19-faq.html

Medavie Blue Cross: https://www.medaviebc.ca/covid19

Sunlife: www.sunlife.ca/covid-19

SSQ: https://ssq.ca/en/coronavirus

Stay safe everyone as we all continue to adjust to our new realities. Know that there are many resources available to assist you and your employees!