Canadian Congenital Heart Alliance

Mental Health Resources

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Congenital heart disease affects over 257,000 Canadians. Many experience mental health issues living with their CHD.

CCHA conducted a Mental Health survey* in October of 2020. We received 66 responses from across Canada.

88% of adults living with #CHD have experienced mental health challenges at some point.

75% of those living with CHD have discussed mental health concerns with a healthcare professional. Only 41% have been referred for mental health services by those same providers or another healthcare provider?

46% of those living with CHD don’t feel like their mental health has been addressed as a priority by their health care providers.

Currently there are no programs to address CHD-related anxiety and depression and only 1 dedicated CHD psychologist in Canada.

CCHA continues to advocate for mental health resources and support for those living with CHD. The resources provided below are to provide support and assistance with mental health issues.

Studies show that psychological health impacts brain health and heart health**.  It's important to seek support when mental health issues arise and discuss with your healthcare team.  Also important is to take steps to promote wellness and resilience such as

  • physical exercise
  • quality sleep
  • learning and education
  • social activities
  • healthy eating

This includes proactive strategies for your mental health

 

Ressources en santé mentale

Les cardiopathies congénitales touchent plus de 257 000 Canadiens. Beaucoup ont des problèmes de santé mentale en vivant avec leurs malformations cardiaques.

L'ACCC a mené une enquête sur la santé mentale * en octobre 2020. Nous avons reçu 66 réponses de partout au Canada.

88% des adultes vivant avec #CHD ont connu des problèmes de santé mentale à un moment donné.

75% des personnes atteintes de cardiopathies congénitales ont discuté de problèmes de santé mentale avec un professionnel de la santé. Seulement 41% ont été référés pour des services de santé mentale par ces mêmes prestataires ou un autre professionnel de la santé?

46% des personnes atteintes de cardiopathies congénitales n’ont pas le sentiment que leur santé mentale a été traitée en priorité par leurs fournisseurs de soins de santé.

À l'heure actuelle, il n'existe aucun programme pour traiter l'anxiété et la dépression liée aux cardiopathies congénitales et seulement 1 psychologue spécialisé dans les cardiopathies congénitales au Canada.

CCHA continue de plaider en faveur des ressources et du soutien en santé mentale pour les personnes atteintes de cardiopathie congénitale. Les ressources fournies ci-dessous visent à fournir un soutien et une assistance pour les problèmes de santé mentale.

Des études montrent que la santé psychologique a un impact sur la santé cérébrale et cardiaque**.  Il est important de demander de l'aide lorsque des problèmes de santé mentale surviennent et d'en discuter avec votre équipe soignante.  Il est également important de prendre des mesures pour promouvoir le bien-être et la résilience, comme

  • exercice physique
  • un sommeil de qualité
  • apprentissage et éducation
  • activités sociales
  • alimentation saine

Cela comprend des stratégies proactives pour votre santé mentale

 

To see a list of resource by province, click here / Pour voir une liste de ressources par province, cliquez sur ici

Anxiety Canada

The association’s mission is to promote awareness of anxiety disorders and support access to proven resources and treatment. Resources for all ages.

Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA)

Mental health for all.  Founded in 1918, the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) is the most established, most extensive community mental health organization in Canada.

Certified Listeners

We’re here to listen to you, support you, and guide you in the right direction.

Crisis Services Canada

1-833-456-4566 or text 45645

A national network of suicide and distress centre hotlinesIf you’re thinking about suicide or in distress, or are worried about a friend or loved one, the Canada Suicide Prevention Service is available 24/7 for voice and 4pm to 12am ET for text.

Mental Health Commission of Canada

We are part of several initiatives, undertaken with other health-care organizations across Canada, that seek to increase access to high-quality mental health services.

Mind Beacon

Mind Beacon offers a variety of virtual mental health supports with the goal of making mental health care more accessible. Note: some resources offered may require fees or are offered through a paywall.

Mood Disorders Society or Canada

The Mood Disorders Society of Canada (MDSC) has evolved to become one of Canada’s best-connected mental health NGOs with a demonstrated track record for forging and maintaining meaningful and sustained partnerships with the public, private and non-profit sectors throughout Canada.

The Blue Dot Project

Aims to reduce stigma around maternal mental health and post-partum depression. Learn more about the program and resources they offer

Workplace Strategies for Mental Health

At Workplace Strategies for Mental Health, you'll find tools and resources for workplace mental health and psychological safety available for all Canadians at no cost, compliments of Canada Life.

Your Life Counts

Our online lifeline and extensive web resource at www.yourlifecounts.org runs in parallel with our offline community outreach and support services.  Find support numbers to crisis lines and distress centers in your Country and state/Province.

 

Youth

Kids Help Phone

Call 1-800-668-6868 (toll-free) or text CONNECT to 686868            Phone | Text | Chat | Messenger.

Available 24 hours a day to Canadians aged 5 to 29 who want confidential and anonymous care from professional counsellors. 

Good2Talk

Good2Talk provides confidential support services for post-secondary students in Ontario and Nova Scotia.

Wellness & Emotional Support for youth online:

To provide wellness and emotional support for youth through online professional counselling in a safe, secure, and confidential manner.

YMHC: Youth Mental Health Canada

To provide youth mental health and wellness education through our tool kit of resources and aids. To support students, parents/families and educators in promoting mental wellness. To increase students’ sources of strength, awareness, resilience and support.

Breathr

Developed by the BC Children's Kelty Mental Health Resource Centre and BC Children's Centre for Mindfulness, along with young people, this free app provides ways to get started with mindfulness.

OneStopTalk

Free service provides immediate access to mental health services, when they’re needed, wherever they’re needed for children and youth age 0-17 or parents/caregivers are welcome to connect to the service with their child to ensure access. They provide culturally safe and appropriate support to every corner of Ontario. Available in multiple languages and certified therapists’ experiences and backgrounds are as diverse as the communities they support

The Mindful Adventures of Unicorn Island

A family-friendly animated series of 10-minute episodes with a diverse cast, that introduces and teaches children mindfulness skills to help kids learn how to regulate their emotions in day-to-day life. Children will learn mindfulness tools and mental health principles, like meditation and breathing exercises to help navigate stressful situations

 

Indigenous

Hope for Wellness Help Line

Call 1-855-242-3310 (toll-free) or online chat. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Offers immediate mental health counselling and crisis intervention to all Indigenous peoples across Canada.  Experienced and culturally sensitive help line counsellors can help if you want to talk or are distressed.

 

COVID-19 Resources

CAMH

Mental Health Commission

 

Apps and Resources

Calm Together

Free mindfulness based resources

Free University ofToronto course on managing anxiety: https://www.coursera.org/learn/manage-health-covid-19

 

Community and Peer Support

Anxiety Panic Support

Online chat group for people struggling with anxiety

Canadian Caregiver Network

A community dedicated to your well-being where you can exchange with our network of professionals and others like you.

TogetherAll  (formerly Big White Wall)

An online peer-to-peer support community for your mental health

 

International

Conquering CHD

Through social media we offer open and closed forums to learn, chat, grow, and ask questions in a safe environment.

Mended Hearts and Mended Little Hearts

Joining Mended Hearts connects you instantly to patients and caregivers just like you who understand the needs of cardiovascular disease patients. The Mended Hearts program provide counselling and emotional support at the hospital bedside, one-to-one support after discharge, plus a variety of helpful support group meetings, educational materials, online events and social activities.

Support Network

Social support from people with similar diseases or experiences from CHD to Emotional Wellbeing and others.

 

MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT BY PROVINCE

 

MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT BY PROVINCE

Alberta

Distress Centre

403-266-4357

Better Choices, Better Health

Alberta Health Services also offers free programming for Albertans struggling with a chronic health condition.

Canadian Mental Health Association - Alberta Division

780-482-6576

The Outreach Centre

Suicide Information and Education Services

403-347-2480

Psychologists Association of Alberta - Find a Psychologist

1-888-424-0297

 

British Columbia

Bounceback BC

Guided workbook to manage anxiety – requires referral on website (see attached, can be GP or self)

Canadian Mental Health Association - British Columbia Division

1-800-555-8222

HeretoHelp

1-800-661-2121

Youth in BC

Greater Vancouver Area:

604-872-3311

Howe Sunshine & Sunshine Coast:

1-866-661-3311

Aboriginal Wellness Program

604-675-2551 or 1-866-884-0888

B.C. Psychological Association - Find a Psychologist

604-730-0501

 

Manitoba

Manitoba Suicide Prevention Line "Reason to Live"

1-877-435-7170

Klinic Crisis Line

1-888-322-3019

Canadian Mental Health Association - Manitoba Division

204-982-6100

Klinic Community Health

204-784-4090

Mental Health Education Resource Centre of Manitoba

1-855-942-6568

Manitoba Psychological Society - Find a Psychologist

204-488-7398

 

New Brunswick

Chimo Helpline

1-800-667-5005

Canadian Mental Health Association - New Brunswick Division

506-455-5231

College of Psychologists of N.B. - Find a Psychologist

506-382-1994

 

Newfoundland and Labrador

Mental Health Crisis Line

1-888-737-4668

Canadian Mental Health Association - Newfoundland and Labrador Division

1-877-753-8550

Mental Health and Addictions Services triage line

1-844-353-3330

Association of Psychology in Newfoundland and Labrador - Find a Psychologist

709-739-5405

 

Northwest Territories

Northwest Territories Help Line

1-800-661-0844

Department of Health and Social Services

1-867-767-9061

 

Nova Scotia

Mental Health Mobile Crisis Line

1-888-429-8167

Canadian Mental Health Association - Nova Scotia Division

1-877-466-6606

Association of Psychologists of Nova Scotia  - Find a Psychologist

 

Nunavut

Nunavut Kamatsiaqtut Help Line

1-800-265-3333

 

Ontario

Bounceback Ontario

Guided workbook to manage anxiety – requires referral on website (can be GP or self)

Good2Talk

1-866-925-5454 or text GOOD2TALKON to 686868

Gerstein Crisis Centre

416-929-5200

Mental Health Crisis Line

In Ottawa: 613-722-6914

In the larger Ottawa area: 1-866-996-0991

ONTX Ontario Online & Text Crisis Service

Text 258258

District and Crisis Ontario Helplines

416-486-2242

Connex Ontario

ConnexOntario provides free and confidential health services information for people experiencing problems with alcohol and drugs, mental illness or gambling by connecting them with services in their area.

1-866-531-2600

Ontario Psychological Association - Find a Psychologist

416-961-5552

Canadian Mental Health Association - Ontario Division

Counseling and Crisis Resources

1-800-875-6213

Reconnect

416-248-2050

Ontario Victim Support Line

1-888-579-2888

Toronto Distress Centre

416-408-4357 or text 45645

 

Prince Edward Island

The Island Helpline

1-800-218-2885

Canadian Mental Health Association - Prince Edward Island Division

902-566-3034

Psychological Association of Prince Edward Island - Find a Psychologist

 

Quebec

Centre de Prevention du Suicide de Quebec

1-866-277-3553

AMI-Quebec – FR 

1-855-272-7837

AMI-Quebec – EN

514-486-1448   1-877-303-0264 outside Montreal

AQPAMM

Association Québécoise pour les Parents et Amis de la Personne Atteinte de Maladie Mentale – Montréal  

514-524-7131

Centre de Prevention du Suicide du Haut-Richelieu

450-348-6300

Movement SanteMentale Quebec

514-849-3291

 

Saskatchewan:

Saskatoon Crisis Intervention Service

306-933-6200

Mobile Crisis Services

306-757-0127

Canadian Mental Health Association - Saskatchewan Division

1-800-461-5483

Psychology Association of Saskatchewan - Find a Psychologist

 

Yukon

Yukon Crisis Line

403-668-9111

Yukon Health and Social Services

1-866-456-3838 (area code 867)

Mood Disorders Society of Canada - Yukon Division

1-867-667-8346

Canadian Mental Health Association - Yukon

1-867-668-6429 – to book appointment

Reach Out Support Line

1-844-533-3030

 

*The mental health survey was conducted in partnership with MacEwan Univeristy NURS 424 students in October 2020. / L'enquête sur la santé mentale a été menée en partenariat avec les étudiants NURS 424 de l'Université MacEwan en octobre 2020.

** Taken from the Optimizing brain health across the lifespan presentation by Dr. Thalia Fields at the 2024 Fontan Education Day / Tiré de la présentation Optimiser la santé cérébrale tout au long de la vie par la Dre Thalia Fields lors de la Journée d'éducation Fontan 2024

Thanks to Barb Bailey NP and Peter Munk Cardiac Centre for assistance with resources. Thanks to Reina Arnold of Centennial College for researching mental health resources across Canada. Students from MacEwan and Centennial were through virtual internships with Riipen available through an RBC Future Launch program grant.

 

Are you an adult with congenital heart diseases? To find a cardiologist with specialized training in adult congenital heart disease, please read for important info.

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