Difficult times require new and different ways to cope

By MPP Toby Barrett 

To The Haldimand Press

We continue to get a lot of calls during these tough times – bear in mind, it’s normal to feel stressed out, worried, sad, and confused during this pandemic.

What’s really important is to look after yourself – not only your physical health but also your mental health.

We know that more and more people are experiencing stress, anxiety, and other mental health problems as they help stop the spread by staying home, often times alone. There are many who are comfortable being home all the time – perhaps retired, or farming, or running a home workplace electronically – but for many the lack of social and physical contact can result in loneliness, depression, strife, domestic violence, etc.

Since the first case was diagnosed in Ontario on January 25, I have been directing people to Ontario.ca/coronavirus – a website with an informative tab outlining some of the supports available for mental health and addictions.

This is a difficult time for everyone – and everyone has different ways to cope. In some cases, social isolation can lead to potential relapse for people with a history of addiction and substance abuse. I had a 20-year career with the Ontario Addiction Research Foundation before being elected – the resources are there, and it’s important to reach out for help and support. The Addiction Research Foundation merged into the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health – a valuable resource for tips and coping strategies can be found at camh.ca. As well, many AA meetings having moved from church basements are moving online through technology like Zoom. Founded in 1935, Alcoholics Anonymous is found at aa.org.