As the holidays approach, it’s so important to check in with ourselves and our loved ones to see how things are going and to make sure we are using good coping skills to support our mental health.
For some, this can mean getting back to good habits like getting enough sleep, being more active and eating well or developing new habits such as mindfulness to add to your coping tool kit. For others, this can mean checking in with some of the many local supports and professionals to talk about our mental health and ways to manage through these challenges.
OPH would like to remind everyone that the holidays are a time for caring about one another and there are resources available to help.
- The Walk-in Counselling Clinic at (613) 755-2277 offers free in person sessions as well as video or phone counselling sessions in English, French, Arabic, Somali, Spanish, Mandarin and Cantonese at a variety of locations.
- The Counselling Connect service in Ottawa offers free access to a same-day or next-day phone or video counselling session.
- If you need immediate help, call the Distress Centre Ottawa and Region 24/7 at (613) 238-3311 in English or Tel-Aide Outaouais at (613) 741-6433 in French.
Ottawa Public Health is encouraging all of us to FACE the Holidays:
- F – FOCUS on what’s in your control
- A – ACKNOWLEDGE this year is different
- C – CONNECT creatively
- E – ENGAGE safely