911 if urgent crisis
Mental Health Help Line & Suicide Prevention Information from Alberta Health Services
Support is available 24/7 – call, text or online chat
Clients having thoughts of suicide should call Health Link at 811 or the Mental Health Help Line at 1-877-303-2642, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Text and online chat options are available for all Alberta youth through Calgary ConnecTeen, Monday-Friday 3pm-10pm and Saturday, Sunday 12pm-10pm. Visit calgaryconnecteen.com or text 587-333-2724.
The federal First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness Help Line at 1-855-242-3310 is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Clients can also access an online chat at Hope for Wellness.
Support is also available for caretakers because caring for people who are at risk for suicide can take its toll. Caretakers can reach out for help by calling Health Link at 811 or the Mental Health Help Line at 1-877-303-2642.
Kids Help Phone (Free)
Phone: Kids Help Phone counsellors available 24/7 at 1-800-668-6868
Text: 24/7 Crisis Text Line - Text CONNECT to 686868 · Website: kidshelpphone.ca – includes information on a number of topics, including COVID-19, bullying, friends and family, relationships, etc.
Alberta Education has opened a helpline and email for parents of students, particularly those with disabilities, during COVID-19 and at-home learning.
The helpline can be accessed at 780-422-6548 (toll-free by first dialling 310-0000, followed by the 10-digit phone number) or via email at: studentsupport@gov.ab.ca
Alberta Education has established the help line and email to assist families with their questions and connect them to their boards where appropriate. This could include key members of the school district (teacher, principal, school district leadership, school board) to find collaborative solutions to meeting their child’s learning needs at home.
The Parent Help Line will be answered Monday through Friday from 8:15 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Text4Hope helps people identify and adjust the negative thoughts, feelings and behaviours a pandemic might be expected to provoke. Through a set of daily messages, people receive advice and encouragement helpful in developing healthy personal coping skills and resiliency.
For anyone impacted financially or emotionally by COVID-19, Alberta Health Services resources and services here.
Includes links to resources related to mental health and addiction, emotional support (including for seniors), financial help, groceries and other supplies, etc.
Chat support and Virtual Assistant available. Website also includes a special Resources for COVID-19 in Alberta link with extensive information on many topics including provincial and federal supports.
Healthy Together is an AHS guide to family and home life during COVID-19. Each weekday, they post a new story about how families can be healthy, active and safe in these changing times.
From the Mental Health Commission of Canada shares credible information and resources about maintaining mental health during this time of crisis.
Includes resources and strategies for managing anxiety, what to do if you are worried or anxious about COVID-19, talking to kids about COVID-19, and balancing public and mental health.
The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health has created this webpage full of strategies, suggestions, and information for adults and parents manage anxiety during this challenging time.
Richard Weissbourd, shares "Five Guideposts" to support parents in talking with children and youth about Coronavirus.
Dr. Jody Carrington shares her perspective as a leader navigating through uncharted, unprecedented times with COVID-19 and how getting through hard things is human.
“Psychology Works” Fact Sheet: Psychological Impacts of the Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Gives parents and caregivers a few tips on how to speak to children about COVID19, and some ideas of how to manage the emotional response in reaction to global distress
Tips for parenting teenagers during this time. Guidance on how to support teenagers in social distancing and remote schooling.
Audrey Duck asks Susan about the coronavirus. Why can't I play with my friends? Why do you have to work sometimes? What can I do when you can't play with me? I miss my grandparents and cousins. What can I do when I'm feeling scared, mad, or sad?
Leaning into Social-Emotional Learning Amid the COVID-19 Crisis. Additional supportive links, to assist teachers in coping and processing Social Emotional Learning.
Students need a chance to share their thoughts and feelings about the coronavirus. Here are some guidelines for creating a supportive space for this conversation.
Mind Yeti is a library of research-based guided mindfulness sessions that help kids calm their minds, focus their attention and connect to the world around them.
12 mental health practices to share with families or incorporate into your planning for students from School Mental Health Ontario.
Activities designed to empower younger years kids and foster their independence.
Cultivate kindness and empathy for kids with these activities and list of great picture books.
Help students feel safe through the three Cs: communication, consistency, and control
A story book for children on COVID-19. The book is available as a PDF in 16 languages, and was based on a global survey that assessed children’s mental health and psychosocial needs during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Cornonavirus lesson plans to help children understand their feelings during this time.
Leaning into Social-Emotional Learning Amid the COVID-19 Crisis. Additional supportive links, to assist teachers in coping and processing Social Emotional Learning.
While an American perspective, this brief article supports teachers in considering how to address the issue of COVID-19 related racism in the context of their teaching.
An on-line game for students who would benefit from SEL skill building while at home.
26 ideas, strategies and techniques to help students cope if they are experiencing stress.
Share this website with your students to provide COVID related education, tools, support and reliable information .
Help students feel safe through the three Cs: communication, consistency, and control
Useful information in creating communications for families that encourage self-care from North American Centre for Threat Assessment and Trauma Response
Suggested script for counsellors or administrators reaching out to students and families who may require supports.
Counsellors can share this article from Autism Speaks to support families of students with Autism Spectrum Disorders while they adjust to learning at home from Autism Speaks
Each chapter of this guide contains activities suitable for a different age group, from infants to teenagers.
Three regularly updated and topic-specific resource lists related to COVID-19 and ACEs Science
A story book for children on COVID-19. The book is available as a PDF in 16 languages, and was based on a global survey that assessed children’s mental health and psychosocial needs during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Recognizing, Reporting and Responding to Child Abuse from a Distance
Indoor, yard, driveway and sidewalk, large space, nature, and scavenger hunt activities to support families in living active while at home.
A collection of health and physical education content for learning while at home to stay healthy and active.
Use this deck of Alphabet AniMoves to help explore fun and creative movements while learning the names of animals in Blackfoot, Cree, and Stoney Nakoda.