COVID-19 Coping Resources for the OISE Community
If you are in crisis and need to talk to someone right away, please use one of the following 24/7 emergency counselling services:
My Student Support Program (My SSP) | 1-844-451-9700. Outside of North America, call 001-416-380-6578.
Culturally-competent mental health and counselling services in 146 languages for all U of T students.
Good2Talk Student Helpline | 1-866-925-5454 - Professional counseling, information and referrals helpline for mental health, addictions and students well-being.
Gerstein Crisis Centre: 416-929-5200
Toronto Distress Centre: 416-408-4357
Drug and Alcohol Helpline: 1-800-565-8603
Mental Health Helpline: 1-866-531-2600
To promote mindfulness and relaxation:
Calm is a meditation, sleep and relaxation app, available in both the App Store and Google Play store. Calm creates unique audio content that strengthens mental fitness and tackles some of the biggest mental health challenges of today: stress, anxiety, insomnia, and depression. As a result of COVID-19, Calm has put together a page of free resources for anyone to use. For anyone who would like to try the app, Calm offers a 7-day free trial.
https://www.calm.com/blog/take-a-deep-breath?utm_source=lifecycle&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=difficult_times_subs_031720
Progressive Muscle Relaxation will help you to lower your overall tension and stress levels, and help you relax when you are feeling anxious. It can also help reduce physical problems such as stomachaches and headaches, as well as improve your sleep.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihO02wUzgkc
Cosmic Kids Yoga and Mindfulness is a YouTube page with yoga, mindfulness, and relaxation videos designed for kids.
https://www.youtube.com/user/CosmicKidsYoga/featured
UCSD Center for Mindfulness is providing daily streams and recordings of mindfulness and compassion sessions to help cope with the current situation.
https://medschool.ucsd.edu/som/fmph/research/mindfulness/pages/default.aspx
Layola University RELAX Online is an interactive tool, narrated by Counseling Center Staff, that features videos, soothing visuals, and music.
https://www.loyola.edu/department/counseling-center/students/relaxation
OISE Wellness
Join our very own OISE Wellness sessions now available online!
https://www.oise.utoronto.ca/wellness/index.html
To manage anxiety and some of the overwhelming feelings:
Dialectical Behavior Therapy Clinic at Rutgers University (DBT-RU) has YouTube page with resources for practicing DBT skills. The playlist below, DBT Crisis Survival Skills, includes videos narrated by Dr. Rizvi, who guides the audience through using three core DBT Skills: ACCEPTS, IMPROVE, and PLEASE Skills.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVlLbxLe1Eo51f-BqC3u48AyikKun3mcT
MindShift CBT by Anxiety Canada is a free app that uses scientifically proven strategies based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) to help you learn to relax and be mindful, develop more effective ways of thinking, and use active steps to take charge of your anxiety.
https://www.anxietycanada.com/resources/mindshift-cbt/
Self-Help for Anxiety Management is free app that offers a range of self-help methods for people who are serious about learning to manage their anxiety.
iOS: https://apps.apple.com/ca/app/self-help-for-anxiety-management/id666767947
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.uwe.myoxygen&hl=en
Antidepressant Skills Workbook is a self-care manual based on scientific research about which strategies work best in managing depression. It provides an overview of depression, explains how it can be effectively managed, and gives a step-by-step guide to changing patterns that trigger depression.
https://psychhealthandsafety.org/asw
To increase wellness:
Taking Care of your Mental Health During The COVID-19 Pandemic lists 7 things you can do to help yourself and your loved ones remain mentally well through the pandemic.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IsJus1R15Ds
3 Tips for Making the Most of the COVID-19 Lockdown: https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/buddhist-psychology-east-meets-west/202003/3-tips-making-the-most-the-covid-19-lockdown
YMCA 360: On-Demand Videos wants to make sure people stuck at home due to the COVID-19 outbreak can still get the exercise they need for free.
https://ymca360.org/
To cope with the uncertainty:
Intolerance of Uncertainty Information and Worksheet:
https://www.heretohelp.bc.ca/infosheet/how-to-tolerate-uncertainty
Accepting Uncertainty Module by the Centre for Clinical Interventions:
https://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/~/media/CCI/Consumer%20Modules/What%20Me%20Worry/What%20Me%20Worry%20-%2009%20-%20Accepting%20Uncertainty.pdf
Coronavirus Anxiety: Coping with Stress, Fear, and Uncertainty:
https://www.helpguide.org/articles/anxiety/coronavirus-anxiety.htm
To promote social connections and reduce loneliness:
Netflix Party is a Chrome extension for watching Netflix remotely with friends. It synchronizes video playback and adds group chat.
https://www.netflixparty.com/
10 Ideas for Coping with Loneliness During Social Distancing:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/in-love-and-war/202003/10-ideas-coping-loneliness-during-social-distancing
pop.in: It's Game Night! is all about playing live games with other people, just like going to a party at a friend’s house.
https://pop.in/getapp
Houseparty is the face-to-face social network where you can connect and play games with the people you care about most.
https://houseparty.com/
APHD Social platforms
There are two groups on Facebook and Whatsapp that have specifically been designed to help support and help memebrs of the OISE community cope:
Do you have questions about these social platforms? Please contact Diana Burchell: diana.burchell@mail.utoronto.ca
WeChat (APHD Student Group): contact Eleonora Maldina (WeChat ID: Eleonoramaldina) and you will be added to the group.
Group name: OISE Support - COVID-19
Stay in the know with our departmental social media accounts!
Facebook: @APHDDeptOISE
Twitter: @APHDatOISE
Leisure Activity
- At home cooking club videos posted twice a week, free
- Origami projects for all skill levels
- Live Feed of aquarium animals (Monterey Bay Aquarium)
- Visit Ripley's Aquarium virtually with live events and live cams!
UofT Athletic Centre:
- Follow U of T Sport and Rec on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter as we share workouts, tips and resources to help you stay active while our facilities are closed.
- Don’t miss out on your daily workout! Our MoveU team has created a number of excellent workout videos that you can do in your own spaces. Check them out on the MoveU website.
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Meditation is another great way to manage stress and feel great. Here are 2 excellent resources:
- Meditative Mind - guided meditations and soothing music
- Honest Guys - guided meditations and soothing music
