#WeWillGetThruThis
As the pandemic restrictions lift, our hearts are lighter knowing we will be able to hug our friends and family once again. Yet we find ourselves in the ‘pandemic following the pandemic’ as we experience a mental health crisis like we have never seen before.
The pandemic is taking an emotional toll – 8 of 10 Canadians are feeling ‘worried or anxious,’ ‘bored,’ ‘stressed,’ ‘lonely or isolated’ and ‘sad’.
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on suicide rates in our society is complex; however, suicidal thoughts and feelings in the general population remain elevated at 8%, compared to 6% in the spring 2020 and 10% in the fall of 2020—substantially higher than the 2.5 per cent observed pre-pandemic in 2016.
Overall, 41% report a decline in their mental health since the onset of the pandemic, compared to 38% in the spring and 40% in the fall of last year. Also, consistent with the first and second rounds of data, the decline is more pronounced in people who are unemployed due to COVID (61%), those with a pre-existing mental health condition (54%), who are aged 18-24 (50%), students (48%), who have a disability (47%) or identify as LGBTQ2+ (46%).
We have so much work to do and we will get through this, together.
Seniors, adults, children and youth living with mental health challenges have access to free or low cost programs where they can have ‘unashamed’ conversations and learn how to develop coping skills and build resiliency, with your help.
We are asking for your help TODAY to provide accessibility to the mental health support that we all deserve.
Impact of Your Donations
As we live in this new reality with COVID-19, CMHA-VF finds itself delivering services in new and innovative ways to ensure physical distancing amongst our clients and members.
Your donation will help us provide:
- Critical information, referral services and virtual peer support for accessing mental illness and mental wellness resources.
- Emergency food, housing and hygiene supply grants (accessible to all our program participants, residents and rent supplement recipients).
- Access to free webinars focused on building resiliency and identifying early warning signs of a stress related illness.
- Programs to ensure program participants have access to technology needed to apply for benefits and associated investments in technology so we can continue to offer more services virtually (i.e. our support groups and maybe webinars).
P.S. While we will have to be flexible to adapt to new uncertainties as the pandemic unfolds over the next several months, we know with certainty that the mental health impacts of coronavirus will be profound and far-reaching. We walk beside you today, as we have always done.
You can make a one-time gift or consider becoming a monthly donor.
Honour a friend or loved one with a Tribute Gift
A gift in Honour is a wonderful way to recognize a person in celebration of a special occasion such as a birthday, holiday or marriage. A gift in Memory is a way to remember and honour a loved one who has passed away.
CMHA will notify family members when you make a gift in Memory.
- To make a donation in Honour or in Memory, please contact Sue Griffin, Director of Philanthropy, at 236-317-3303 or sue.griffin@cmha.bc.ca.
Host a Third Party Event
We love to support community groups and organizations who want to raise funds for mental health! Our team will assist you in promoting your event, selling tickets and taking donations on line so you can focus on the event itself.
When you organize and host a fundraising event—large or small—you raise awareness of mental health and addiction issues in your community while helping CMHA VF support people in finding the help they need.
- Please complete this form to tell us about your fundraiser!
Other gifts
If you don’t find the kind of donation you want to make or the right fit for you, or if you would like to make a gift of securities, life insurance, or make a bequest as part of preparing a will, please contact Sue Griffin, Director of Philanthropy, at 236-317-3303 or sue.griffin@cmha.bc.ca.