Pause.  Connect.  Reset.

Everyone talks about stress, but what is it exactly?

Stress can come from many sources and isn’t always bad. Negative stress can result from too many demands on your time like arguments with friends or family, or being bullied. Positive stress can happen too, like when you play a game or prepare for a test.

Either way, stress over a long period of time can impact your mental and physical health.

It’s time to pause, connect, reset.

Stress Hacks has information to explain stress and help you to manage it!

What’s New

For all of the latest information for families and Manitobans click here

The Anxiety Disorders Association of Manitoba has started an anxiety support line to help people cope with the stress of COVID-19.

Starting on Monday March 23, 2020, people can contact the support line at 204-925-0040 to speak to one of the organization’s staff.
The support line will be answered and checked regularly between the hours of 9 a.m. and 9 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends.

Helping Children and Teens Cope with Anxiety about COVID-19 – click here

Managing Stress during COVID-19 – click here

Mental Health Virtual Therapy Program – Now Available
Help when you need it. Where you need it.

Caring for your mental health is important during the COVID-19 pandemic. AbilitiCBT is a new digital therapy program from Morneau Shepell, available to all Manitobans experiencing low to mid symptoms of anxiety due to the pandemic.

You will be able to connect to a professional therapist trained to help you deal with:

pandemic challenges
the state of uncertainty
physical isolation
care for family and community members
information overload
stress management

To sign up for the AbilitiCBT Program click here

Helping youth 
There are many healthy ways to cope youth cope with stress. Have them:

• Talk to people they trust about their feelings – email, text, phone, video-chat. This could be a friend, parent, Elder, teacher, counselor or a phone line support person.
• Have fun! Do things they enjoy. Remember physical activity/exercise can lower stress and make them feel happier and energized.
• Find ways to relax. Take a walk, read, listen to music, watch a movie, have a nap, pray, smudge, do yoga or do deep breathing. For more relaxation tips, see Resources
• Ask friends what helps them feel better and cope with the stress.
• Tell a story about how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected them: draw, write, sing, dance, journal, take photos.
• Think about times in the past when things were difficult for you, and what helped you get through the hard times then.
• Help support others. When feeling stressed, helping to support others takes you outside their own troubles for awhile.
• Find a way to remember both the good and the bad things during the pandemic (ex: shoot a video, write, take pictures).

Kids Help – Crisis Phone Line – click here for texting and phone information.