Mental health and counselling agencies have been deemed an essential service by the government of Ontario, meaning support is permitted to continue amidst COVID-19, but at a social distance.
The Canadian Mental Health Association Sudbury/ Manitoulin (CMHA S/M), Northern Initiative for Social Action (NISA), and the Sudbury Action Centre for Youth (SACY) have all closed their locations to the public, but will be available through alternative means of communication for those needing assistance.
CMHA S/M has suspended the majority of its in-person service delivery at the Sudbury and Espanola locations, in place of online and telephone alternatives to care. This includes programs offered during the day and evening hours, community visits and appointments, group meetings, and training exercises.
The Residential programs and Off the Street Shelter, located at 200 Larch St., will continue to be offered to those in need with additional infection prevention measures in place.
More information on CMHA S/M programs and services can be found online or by calling their office at 605-675-7252.
Those seeking immediate assistance are encouraged to contact the Crisis Intervention Unit at 705-675-4760 or the Mental Health Helpline at 1-866-531-2600.
Peer support agency Northern Initiative for Social Action (NISA) has been closed to the public since March 17 but is offering peer-support Monday to Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. through their office line at 705-222-6472.
Staff will also be available for support through the Regional Warm Line, seven days a week from 6 p.m. to midnight at 1-866-856-9276.
“When you call, you will be speaking to someone who personally understands the anxieties, stresses and mental health challenges this public health emergency has brought about,” said Audrey O’Brien, NISA communications and strategy coordinator.
“Our peer workers are here to offer our community an empathetic and supportive listening ear.”
Sudbury Action Centre for Youth (SACY) is closed to the public, but will remain staffed, with occupancy restricted to five people per floor, said Julie Gorman, executive director.
Ensuring those who rely on its programs and services and youth who fall on hard times as a result of these extraordinary circumstances, have somewhere to turn.
While access to the drop-in centre for Harm Reduction or youth services has been suspended, staff will continue to collect donations related to these programs for distribution to clients. While categorized to their intended audience, Gorman said these items are available to anyone who needs them.
Items distributed as part of SACY’s Harm Reduction program include:
- Naloxone kits
- Needles
- Sterile water
- Disinfectant wipes
- Safe-smoking kits
- Biohazard bins
Items distributed as part of SACY’s Youth Program include:
- Hygiene products
- Conditioner and shampoo
- Underwear and socks
- 24/h meal kits
Staff have also begun handing out disposable gloves and hand sanitizer, for individuals unable to access a public or private washroom to clean themselves.
Those looking to donate to SACY can do so by knocking on the office door Monday to Friday between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. or by calling the office to arrange a drop-off.
Staff will also continue to prepare and provide a hot dinner Monday to Friday from
4:30-5 p.m., to be distributed in to-go containers accompanied by fresh milk. Those looking to utilize this service are asked to arrange themselves in groups of five or less before approaching the door.
ALL TG Innerselves, transgender support group meetings and Homeless Network home-visits have been postponed until April 13. Clients are to be serviced over the phone or through other digital means of communication.
Due to a high volume of calls and personal messages, the staff’s Provincial Youth Outreach Worker (YOW) is in the process of establishing a unified means of communication but will be unavailable in the meantime.
More information will be released through SACY’s website and social media pages, said Gorman.
Outdoor outreach, such as needle collection will continue, with increased safety measures for the protection of both client and staff.
When asked what the public could do to help beyond contributing donations to the Harm Reduction and Youth Program, Gorman said anyone with the means to do so is asked to support the SACY staff.
"There are a lot of people out there helping the homeless but there’s not a lot of protective equipment in the community, let alone in the hospitals and staff are starting to get nervous."
Any personal protective equipment the public has the means to donate would be greatly appreciated.
