Grace Iarocci, KBHN Researcher:
I am sorry to hear that you are experiencing depression during such a stressful time. If you’re feeling overwhelming anxiety or depression that is interfering with your ability to care for your kids or you feel that your distress is affecting your kids’ emotional well-being, I recommend seeking professional advice from a psychologist, counsellor or doctor. Although you may need a referral from a physician to see a psychologist on staff at a hospital, you can self-refer to psychologists in private practice. Here is where you can find a psychologist: cpa.ca/public/finding. You can also find a psychologist based on your location using: findapsychologist.ca/wp-content/the. If you’re strapped for cash, there are also free resources: cbc.ca/life/wellness/.
Also, here’s some information on how this pandemic may be affecting your mental health: cpa.ca/docs/File/Publ.
Here’s a factsheet on working from home during COVID, with and without children: https://cpa.ca/docs/File/Publications/FactSheets/PW_COVID-19_Working%20from%20Home.pdf.
If you’ve lost anyone during this time, you can also check out this factsheet of grief and bereavement during COVID: https://cpa.ca/docs/File/Publications/FactSheets/FS_Grief_Bereavement_COVID-19.pdf.
Lastly, if you’re unable to leave the house, here is a webpage that lists virtual mental health supports during COVID-19: www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/he.
