May 5, 2023
Manitoba Government Reminds Individuals, Families of Free, Accessible Mental-Health Resources
The Manitoba government is reminding individuals and families across the province during Mental Health Week about the availability of free and accessible resources to support mental health and well-being, Mental Health and Community Wellness Minister Janice Morley-Lecomte said today.
“May 1 to 7 is Mental Health Week, a perfect time to raise awareness of the many resources Manitobans can access for support,” said Morley-Lecomte. “I encourage all Manitobans to take proactive steps to promote good mental health and to reach out for help if needed.”
The minister noted online programming is available for adults affected by anxiety and depression through the Strongest Families Institute’s eight-week ICAN program, which provides virtual evidence-based, bilingual coaching services to individuals dealing with mild to moderate mental-health issues. Services focus on developing skills to overcome anxiety, depression and stress, as well as strategies to cope with major life stressors. One-on-one or group-based telephone coaching and self-directed web-based programming options are available. Individuals can self-refer to the program by calling toll-free 1-866-470-7111 or at https://login.strongestfamilies.com/signup/ican/page/1/.
Manitobans can also develop skills to improve their mental health through a five-week mindfulness-based cognitive behavioural therapy (CBTm) program. The locally developed program incorporates principles of mindfulness to help participants reduce stress, anger, fatigue, sleep problems and negative health outcomes, while building skills to cope better with stressful situations. Participants can opt for facilitator-led classes led by a trained clinician over Zoom or a web-based self-guided course. For more information on the program or to self-refer, visit https://cbtm.ca/.
In addition, virtual support for mental-health and substance-use issues is available through Wellness Together Canada including immediate crisis support, evidence-based information and tools, peer support and one-on-one sessions with a counsellor via phone, text or live chat. The free service is available 24-7. For more information, visit https://wellnesstogether.ca/.
Local mental health and addictions organizations continue to provide services and supports in person, on the phone or through virtual mechanisms. For information on local crisis and non-crisis mental-health services available by region, visit www.gov.mb.ca/health/mh/crisis.html.
The Mental Health and Wellness Resource Finder also provides a number of mental health, wellness and addictions supports and resources at https://sharedhealthmb.ca/services/mental-health/mental-health-and-wellness-resource-finder/.
As well, the Manitoba Addictions Helpline for individuals dealing with alcohol, drug and gambling issues continues to be available from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. toll-free at 1-855-662-6605. More information is available at http://mbaddictionhelp.ca/.
Since 2019, the Manitoba government has announced over 54 initiatives valued at more than $66 million to improve mental health, substance use and addictions services across the province including:
- an investment in CBTm over the past two years totalling $1 million including $300,000 to establish a CBTm hub,
- an investment of $853,000 for five new clinical psychologists, and
- more than $5 million invested in Huddle Manitoba integrated youth hub services including mental health and addictions supports for six locations provincewide.
These investments and services align with the Manitoba government’s five-year strategic plan, A Pathway to Mental Health and Community Wellness: A Roadmap for Manitoba, which was announced in February 2022 following extensive public and stakeholder engagement.
For details on the strategy, visit https://gov.mb.ca/mh/docs/roadmap.pdf.
For more information on Mental Health Week, visit https://cmha.ca/mental-health-week/.
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