COVID-19 Mental Health and Support

If you think you have caught Covid-19, take the Ontario online COVID assessment to see if your symptoms require a COVID test:
https://covid-19.ontario.ca/self-assessment/

Symptoms of COVID-19 have changed so check against the latest data with the self-assessment test.

If you don’t have internet access, telephone Telehealth Ontario, a free, confidential service you can call to get health advice or information. A Registered Nurse will take your call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
• Toll-free: 1-866-797-0000
• Toll-free TTY: 1-866-797-0007

You can also call Toronto Public Health Hotline from 8:30 a.m. – 8 p.m. if you have questions about COVID-19. Translation is available in multiple languages.
Telephone: 416-338-7600
TTY: 416-392-0658
Email: PublicHealth@toronto.ca

The City of Toronto has information about food delivery services, free meals, and more.
https://covid19.211central.ca
Or call them at 211. The phone number is easy:  just dial 211.

Distress Centre of Greater Toronto
Call 416-408-4357, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Text 45645 between 4 p.m. and midnight
Translation is available in many languages for crisis calls only

Kids Help Phone
Call 1-800-668-6868 or text CONNECT to 686868, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Service is available in English and French

Gerstein Crisis Centre
416- 929-5200, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Translation is available in many languages

Native Child and Family Services (for Indigenous people)
416-969-8510

Caribbean African Canadian Social Services (for black people)
416-740-1056

The Federal government has even set up a whole wellness website.
https://ca.portal.gs

And if you or someone you know is in crisis or feeling suicidal and if the risk is immediate, call 9-1-1
Or call 1-833-456-4566 toll free, text 45645 or visit www.crisisservicescanada.ca 24/7

See Toronto Public Health for other resources such as CAMH’s website on children and anxiety at this time.
City of Toronto COVID-19 Mental Health Resources

 

Coronavirus and Seniors: information from the City of Toronto

For seniors not living in long-term care facilities, the City continues to provide essential support services to seniors requiring assistance with personal care, medication reminders, and safety checks through our Supportive Housing program.

Many community agencies offer supports to seniors including Meals on Wheels, transportation to appointments, personal support, and adult day programs. Seniors and caregivers should check with the individual agencies to confirm continuity of service delivery.  Call 211 (available 24/7 in 150+ languages) to obtain up-to-date information.

Other resources for seniors include:

Toronto Seniors Helpline: 416-217-2077 or 1-877-621-2077, for support and referral to services
Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) Home Care: 310-2222 (no area code required) to find out about services in their area
Distress Centres of Toronto: 416-408-4357, 416-408-HELP
Seniors Safety Line (Elder Abuse Ontario): 1-866-299-1011

St Lawrence Neighbourhood – Secrets to a Long-Lasting Mixed Income Community

An article about St Lawrence Neighbourhood from Sidewalk Labs.

Author Philip Preville is a writer based in the Toronto area.

“Cooperative housing is a hallmark of the St. Lawrence neighborhood… Although less common in Toronto today, this approach demonstrates how giving renters an ownership stake can lead to a stronger mixed-income community.”

https://medium.com/sidewalk-talk/the-secrets-to-a-lasting-mixed-income-neighborhood-2945a1902dda