Even Heroes Need Help Sometimes

Tuesday, 3 November 2020 at 11:45

CMHA Oxford and United Way Oxford are teaming up to provide mental health support to frontline and healthcare heroes in the County.

OXFORD COUNTY - CMHA Oxford and United Way Oxford are teaming up to provide mental health support to frontline and healthcare heroes in the County.

The program was created in response to COVID-19 and the increased stress and anxiety it places on people working the frontlines. The program offers up to four 1 hour sessions of in-person, telephone or virtual mental health support. Manager of Peer Support, Crisis and Outreach Services at CMHA Oxford Sarah Aalbers says even heroes need help sometimes.

"Individuals who work on the frontline, whether in healthcare or any other essential service, are heroes who show up for work in the midst of COVID-19. But even heroes need support dealing with stress, exhaustion and anxieties. If you are in need of help, the Supporting our Frontline and Healthcare Heroes program is here for you."

Executive Director of United Way Oxford Kelly Gilson says this support is possible due to the partnership with United Way Oxford's Emergency Community Response Fund.

"Those working on the front line to serve our community – from grocery store clerks, taxi drivers, bank tellers, health care workers and more – have faced uncertainty and stress each and every day. We are grateful for their dedication and want to ensure that they have access to mental health care if needed. Thanks to the Federal Government’s ECSF investment, United Way is able to ensure that help is available with through the
‘Supporting our Frontline and Healthcare Heroes’ program."

To access support, frontline and essential service workers can call 519-537-8055 x 287 to leave a message with contact information. A staff member will call back to connect them to their preferred method of support, including online resources and free counselling.

Any local businesses who feel this program would benefit their employees and would like free materials can contact Sarah Aalbers at 519-539-8055 x 243.