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Mental Health Resources

MHR

Maintaining mental health is a challenge for many of us at the best of times.

The health and economic impacts of COVID-19 are exacerbating these struggles for many and stretching the limits of mental health for people around the world, including Unifor members. If you are struggling with mental health and addictions during this time we want you to know you are not alone – many of your friends and colleagues are experiencing the same struggles right now.

In normal times, 1 in 5 Canadians will struggle with mental illness. These afflictions are a disease not a choice. You deserve to get the help and support you need to manage these challenging times.

Each person’s struggle with mental health is different. The resources below can help you navigate the tremendous amount of resources available in our community to find the support that is right for you.

Download the PDF for the website links

Download here

 

We Listen Up

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Bell Let’s Talk announces new funding for 5 organizations delivering mental health supports to youth, families and communities in the COVID-19 crisis

Read the article here…

  • Donations to address urgent need for increased resources with support for Canadian Red Cross, Canadian Mental Health Association, Kids Help Phone, Revivre and Strongest Families Institute
  • Red Cross, CMHA and Revivre to enhance service delivery on the front lines of our communities; Kids Help Phone and Strongest Families employing multiple communications platforms to support youth and families in a time of physical and social distancing
  • Bell Let’s Talk funding commitment increased by $5 million in response to COVID-19 crisis

MONTRÉAL, March 26, 2020 /CNW Telbec/ – Bell Let’s Talk today announced a special program to support 5 organizations delivering mental health support on the front lines of Canadian communities and to kids and families with remote tools in a time of social distancing.

Part of a $5 million increase in Bell Let’s Talk funding in response to COVID-19, donations to Canadian Red Cross, Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), Kids Help Phone, Revivre and Strongest Families Institute are enabling them to enhance their efforts to support Canadians confronting isolation, anxiety and other challenges during the crisis.

“The biggest public health crisis in a lifetime, COVID-19 demands an unprecedented response across every part of Canadian society, including finding new ways to accelerate the delivery of mental health services in such a challenging time,” said Mirko Bibic, President and CEO of BCE Inc. and Bell Canada. “We’ve increased Bell Let’s Talk funding by $5 million in direct response to the COVID-19 crisis, and are proud to be working with the Red Cross, CMHA, Kids Help Phone, Revivre and Strongest Families to immediately direct new mental health resources where they’re needed most.”

Community response

  • Experts in helping communities cope with crisis situations, the Red Cross is providing mental health and psychosocial support by phone, including referrals for available specialized care, and working with other first responders to support those in self isolation.
  • CMHA, with its regional and local branches that are on the front line of community mental health care, is working to adapt programming and services to virtual settings and to scale up existing virtual programs nationally.
  • Revivre is dedicated to helping people throughout Québec regain control over their mental health, and is implementing new strategies for virtual support programs for anxiety and depression.

Youth and families

  • Kids Help Phone is ramping up the capacity of its Crisis Text Line powered by Kids Help Phone, including recruiting and training responders, and developing new COVID-specific digital content for youth and parents.
  • Strongest Families Institute is building out technological and human resources capacity to meet growing demand for its services, including hiring and training more coaches and launching a secure mobile connection to increase connectivity with clients.

“These organizations are all leaders in their fields with effective, evidence-based programming that is already making a difference for Canadians. As the COVID-19 crisis continues, they are all well placed to meet the growing demand from Canadians everywhere for mental health support,” said Mary Deacon, Chair of Bell Let’s Talk. “We are proud to help ensure the Red Cross, CMHA, Kids Help Phone, Revivre and Strongest Families Institute have added capacity in place to deliver their vital services as we all face the challenges of COVID-19.”

Bell recently announced the extension of the Bell Let’s Talk initiative for a further 5 years and an increase in total Bell funding for mental health to $150 million by 2025. With the $5 million announced today in response to the COVID-19 crisis, total Bell Let’s Talk funding grows to $155 million.

Canadian Red Cross
“The support provided today from Bell Let’s Talk comes at an essential time when Canadian Red Cross is not only responding to needs emerging across the country as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, but also preparing for the possibility of floods, wildfires and other disasters that may affect families and communities in the weeks and months ahead,” said Conrad Sauvé, President and CEO, Canadian Red Cross. “In addition to providing comfort and care to those in need, the Red Cross also helps provide vital psychosocial support to people as they cope during challenging times, such as these.”

Canadian Mental Health Association – CMHA
“For over 100 years, CMHA has been proud to support Canadians’ mental health in their time of need. This generous support from Bell Let’s Talk will enable us to adapt essential community-level programs, services and supports to provide creative, responsive and vital resources in this trying time,” said Margaret Eaton, national CEO, CMHA. “We may be keeping ourselves at a distance from each other right now – but we need each other more than ever. Thank you, Bell Let’s Talk.”

Kids Help Phone
“We are grateful to Bell for their leadership in inciting critical conversations about mental health and well-being, especially during this unprecedented time,” said Katherine Hay, President and CEO, Kids Help Phone. “This support ensures Kids Help Phone can respond to the record surge in the demand for our virtual services providing immediate access to Crisis Responders and counsellors. We are open on the frontlines 24/7. This is what Kids Help Phone was built for, with thanks to Bell as our Founding Partner.”

Revivre
“This donation from Bell Let’s Talk will make it possible to offer our J’avance! workshops in an urgently needed virtual format, providing quick help to thousands of Quebecers living with anxiety, depression or bipolar disorder,” said Jean-Rémy Provost, Executive Director of Revivre. “This kind of immediate help in response to the COVID-19 crisis is extremely welcome as we work to support our clients as quickly as possible, including in online group workshops.”

Strongest Families Institute
“Strongest Families Institute is grateful to Bell Let’s Talk for its generous gift. Our distance services remain available to help children, youth, adults and families who are struggling with mental health problems such as anxiety, depression and behavioural challenges. This funding will increase our telephone support work force, including help for those in rural or under-resourced communities and fund enhancements to process increased demands for service,” said Dr. Patricia Lingley-Pottie, President and CEO, Strongest Families Institute. “With this donation we can help more Canadians, promote good mental health and equip people with valuable skills to improve quality of life during these challenging times.”

About Bell Let’s Talk
The largest-ever corporate commitment to mental health in Canada, Bell Let’s Talk is focused on 4 key action pillars – Anti-stigma, Care and Access, Research and Workplace Leadership. Since its launch in 2010, Bell Let’s Talk has partnered with more than 1,000 organizations providing mental health services throughout Canada, including hospitals, universities, local community service providers and other care and research organizations.

To learn more about Bell Let’s Talk, please visit Bell.ca/LetsTalk.

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Applying for employment insurance: a how-to guide for (Eligible) Unifor members

Efforts made by businesses, governments and individuals to contain and slow the spread of COVID-19 are welcome. As expected, these efforts are taking a toll on workers and the economy. As business slows down, factories temporarily close, and non-essential shops and services lock their doors, more workers in Canada will face layoff, and look to access Employment Insurance (EI) benefits to help cover lost income.

The Employment Insurance system is built to provide income assistance to workers on lay-off (through not fault of their own). Workers contribute to the system each year, as do employers, and are entitled to the benefits it provides as long as they are eligible (for eligibility criteria, click here or visit www.unifor.org/COVID-19 for additional resources).

During this extraordinary economic situation, workers may be applying for regular EI benefits for the first time (Note: Regular benefits apply to layoff for economic or other reasons. If you are off because you are sick, or in self-isolation, you should apply for EI sickness benefits. For more information EI sickness benefits click here).

For some applicants, the process can be challenging. To assist, Unifor has prepared the following “How-To” guide that takes you through the online application process, step-by-step.

Let’s get started!

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BEFORE YOU START

To complete the online EI application, you will need the following 8 pieces of information and resources:

  1. your Social Insurance Number (SIN);
  2. your mother’s maiden name;
  3. your mailing and residential addresses, including postal codes;
  4. your complete banking information, including the financial institution name and number, the branch number, and your account number for direct deposit of benefits;
  5. the names and addresses of all employers you worked for in the last 52 weeks, as well as the dates of employment and the reasons for separation from these employers;
  6. if accessible, the dates (Sunday to Saturday) and earnings for each of your highest paid weeks of insurable earnings in the last 52 weeks or since the start of your last EI claim, whichever is the shorter period. This information will be used, along with your Record(s) of Employment, to calculate your weekly EI benefit rate.
  7. pen and paper
  8. access to a printer (helpful, but not necessary)

STEP 1: When to apply

Apply as soon as you stop working. You can apply online at home. The website takes you step by step through the application process.

STEP 2: How to apply

STEP 3: Filling out the application

  • The online application form will then ask you a series of questions (listed below). Here is how you can answer them.
    1. Are you trying to retrieve an application you began within the last 72 hours but did not complete?

Click “Yes” if already started process or “No” if starting a new application. Then click “Continue”

  1. What type of Employment Insurance benefits would you like to claim?

Click “Benefits for employees”, Click “Continue”

  1. Reference Code

Click “No”, Click “Continue”

  1. Benefit TypeClick “Regular”,

    Click “Continue”. Read Instructions, Click “Continue”

  2. Identity InformationInput your Social Insurance Number (SIN), Date of Birth, Last Name, First Name, Last Name at Birth, Gender and Mother’s Maiden Name.

    Click “Continue”

  3. Identity ValidationReview for accuracy,

    Click “Continue”

  4. Temporary Password (8 digit number),

Write down the temporary password, Click “Continue”

  1. Personal Information‘Speaking’, click “English” (or your preferred language),

‘Writing’, click “English” (or your preferred language).

‘Mailing’, enter your postal code, then click “Retrieve Address”. Click on range and select your address. Complete street number.

“Is your residential address different than your mailing address?” Select appropriate response and enter residential address if it is different.

Confirm accuracy, Click “Continue”.

  1. Programs and Services

“I am”, Click status or if none applicable, Click “Continue”.

  1. Income Tax Information

“How will you access your T4E?” click by mail. “Personal Tax Credit” click “Basic”, Click “Continue”.

  1. Direct Deposit

Click “Yes” if you have set up direct deposit, confirm using same direct deposit information or Click “No” if you have NOT set up direct deposit, provide bank information. Click “Continue”

  1. Other Personal Information Indicate highest level of education, Click appropriate response.

“Are you a member of a Union or Professional Association?” Click “Yes”, Type “Unifor” and enter your local number. Click “Continue”.

  1. Last Employer Information

Enter Business Name, Enter First Day Worked (this is your hire date), Enter Last Day Worked, “Will you be returning to work with this employer?” Click “Yes”, “Do you know the date of your return?” Click “No”. Click “Continue”

  1. Reason for Separation

Click “There was a shortage of work (includes closure due to COVID-19, layoff, end of contract or season and office closure).” Click “Continue”.

  1. Rate of Pay

No need to enter rate, Click “Continue”.

  1. Job Title Information

Enter “Job Title”, Click “Job Search”, Select job title from list. Confirm and Click “Continue”

  1. ROE Information

Click “I have a paper Record of Employment and will submit it or have submitted it to Service Canada or my employer submitted the Record of Employment electronically.” Click “Continue”.

  1. Other Employers

Click “Yes” if you have other employment or “No” if you have no other employment, Click “Continue”

  1. Other Employer Information

If you answered “Yes” to the question above, then:
Enter Business Name, Enter Last Day Worked, Click “Continue

  1. Reason for Separation Click “There was a shortage of work (includes closure due to COVID-19, layoff, end of contract or season and office closure).” Click “Continue”.
  2. ROE Information Click “I have a paper Record of Employment and will submit it or have submitted it to Service Canada or my employer submitted the Record of Employment electronically.” Click “Continue”.
  3. Summary of Employer if no other employers Click “Continue”
  4. Information on Quebec Parental Insurance Plan benefits

Answer based on your personal circumstances (for Quebec residents only), Click “Continue”

  1. Workers Compensation Payments

Answer based on your personal circumstances, Click “Continue”

  1. Information on Pensions

Answer based on your personal circumstances, Click “Continue”

  1. Business Relationship

Answer based on your personal circumstances, Click “Continue”

  1. Variable Best Weeks

Click “Yes” if you worked less than 22 weeks in the last 52 weeks, Click “No” otherwise

  1. If you clicked “Yes” above, complete Work History, then Click “Continue”
  2. If you clicked “No” above, complete the following:
    1. Average earnings, Click based on personal circumstances, then:
    2. Would you like to now provide the details for each week of your highest earnings? (This is a required question), Click “No” – unless you are prepared to answer.
  1. Self-Employment Information

“Are you self-employed, other than fishing or farming?” answer based on your personal circumstances, Click “Continue”.

*If you clicked “Yes” to the above question, complete Self Employment Information, then click “Continue”

  1. Farm Information

“Do you or will you declare farming income on your Income Tax Return?” answer based on your personal circumstances, Click “Continue”.

*If you clicked “Yes” to the above question, complete Farm Information, then click “Continue”

  1. Course or Training Program

“Are you taking or will you be taking a course or training program?” answer based on your personal circumstances, Click “Continue”.

*If you clicked “Yes” to the above question, complete Course or Training Information, then click “Continue”

  1. Third Party Assistance

Click “No”, Click “Continue”

  1. Rights and Responsibilities

(6 pages) Read carefully, Click “Continue” after each page. On page 6, Click “I accept my rights & responsibilities.” Click “Continue”

  1. Attestation

Click “accept the above attestation and want to submit my Application for Employment Insurance benefits online.” Click “Submit”

  1. Confirmation and Information

Print both the “Confirmation” and “Rights and Obligations” for your records. Click “Exit the Confirmation Page” Note: If you are unable to print, please write down the confirmation number and put it in a safe place.

That completes the application process. Should you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact Service Canada, using their toll-free assistance line: 1-800-206-7218.

Keep in mind, Service Canada is handling an unprecedented number of questions and claims, and call wait times may be extensive.

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COVID HEROES – A message from President Jerry Dias

A message from Jerry Dias

A lot has changed in just a week.

We’re calling relatives and neighbours to check in on them, reaching into the pantry to make groceries last just a little longer, and relying on health care workers to help us navigate the new world of isolation, screening, and care.

For me, it means negotiating for Unifor members over the phone instead of across the table and talking to news networks by Skype from my kitchen.

For too many, the COVID-19 crisis means sudden layoff and isolation.

If we can, we are staying home and staying safe, but let’s not forget the workers stocking shelves, keeping us connected by phone and internet, keeping the lights and gas on, and more importantly, providing personal care to the sick in hospitals and to the elderly in long term care.

For COVID-19 front-line workers, it means getting up and going to work every day, despite the risk and despite their worries about their own families.

Unifor represents transit operators, personal support workers and health care workers, shelter staff, telecommunications technicians, energy workers, grocery store workers, retail workers and even mill workers who are keeping the nation stocked with toilet paper.

Many of these “COVID Heroes” are undervalued and underpaid in the best of times and are now working under increasing pressure and at great personal risk. In the midst of this crisis, these are the workers we all need to stay healthy.

They are here for us, and there are ways we can defend the COVID-19 heroes.

We can reduce personal contact, stay home as much as possible, and when we must buy essential supplies, practice social distancing. Staying six feet from others reduces risk for everyone.

When you do run out of supplies, or when you need medical care or services, please be gracious and patient. Canada’s workers are doing the best they can.

Canadians who are working from home right now, like me, can show support with personal action and with political demands to protect and support workers.

Both government and employers must do more and must act fast.

Workers are asking Ottawa to move quickly on Employment Insurance reforms and emergency measures to ensure all workers affected by the pandemic have a reliable, decent paycheque.

The federal government has expanded some E.I. benefits, but gaps remain. Any worker laid off must still wait one week to qualify for benefits. We must close the gaps and pay every worker.

Part-time and casual workers typically do not have enough hours to qualify for benefits. This must change.

Unifor has negotiated premiums for workers in major retail employers across Canada and new protective gear, sick leave benefit improvements, and full income assistance for sick leave has been implemented.

These conversations are happening in every one of the essential service sectors. Transit services are listening to workers and enforcing loading on the back of the bus. Telecom technicians are screening customers before entering homes, and are wearing protective gear.

In health care we are monitoring closely to ensure workers stay safe on the job. Now is the time to listen to professionals, and to heed the calls of workers and our unions.

I believe that people in Canada are ready to band together to fight this pandemic. That means protecting the health care, retail, transit, telecommunications, transportation, forestry, crown, and energy workers who are keeping our infrastructure running.

When we reach the other side of this crisis, we must never forget the lengths they went to keep us safe, fed, and connected.

The next time you hear about cuts to your local hospital, or a campaign against poverty wages, that will be your turn to give back and defend these COVID Heroes.

Let’s do more than say thanks. Let’s raise the standards.

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Naureen Rizvi, Ontario Regional Director

NR

Dear members,

I want to acknowledge how difficult this time is for you, your family, and so many Unifor members who are dealing with the anxiety and uncertainty of the pandemic’s effects.

I also want to personally thank everyone working in frontline essential service jobs across so many sectors who are keeping us all connected as more health restrictions are being introduced to combat the spread of the coronavirus.

This is an unprecedented time for us all and rest assured that your union is working around the clock to pressure employers and government to enact measures that will protect your health, your income and your job security.

The government of Ontario will provide a fiscal update tomorrow at 4 p.m. that will include its COVID-19 strategy.

We need your help to send a message to Ford to enact Unifor’s COVID-19 proposals immediately in advance of tomorrow’s fiscal update. 

Many measures our union has called for have been implemented including protections for those workers in quarantine or in self-isolation as well as changes to Employment Insurance. All of the details can be found on Unifor’s COVID-19 website.

So far, the Government of Ontario’s COVID-19 strategy has been criticized by health authorities as slow, incremental, and potentially ineffective. Reports are mounting of exorbitant wait-times and delays with COVID-19 testing. Ford’s cuts to health care in our province are undoubtedly having an effect on our capacity to respond to the public health emergency.

The end of the month is approaching and Ontarians are facing bills, mortgages, and rents while the government still has not indicated if it will introduce emergency funds for those affected by the pandemic.

Lastly, the Ford government hasn’t adequately protected long-term care residents and Personal Support Workers by addressing the staffing shortages in this province.

Together, these issues are creating the conditions for an unimaginable public health and economic crisis in the province.

Will you send a message to Ford to enact Unifor’s COVID-19 proposals immediately?

Share a message on social media as soon as possible using the suggested text below and the shareable image here and tell Doug Ford to adequately protect Ontarians from COVID-19.

I’m calling on @FordNation to protect me and flatten the #COVIDOntario curve with real measures protect my health, income and job. That includes $1 billion in health care funding to protect long-term care workers and residents by addressing the #PSWCrisis

Click here to share this tweet.

In solidarity,

Naureen Rizvi
Ontario Regional Director