Mental Health Resources
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Congenital heart disease affects over 257,000 Canadians. Many experience mental health issues living with their CHD.
CCHA conducted a Mental Health survey* in October of 2020. We received 66 responses from across Canada.
88% of adults living with #CHD have experienced mental health challenges at some point.
75% of those living with CHD have discussed mental health concerns with a healthcare professional. Only 41% have been referred for mental health services by those same providers or another healthcare provider?
46% of those living with CHD don’t feel like their mental health has been addressed as a priority by their health care providers.
Currently there are no programs to address CHD-related anxiety and depression and only 1 dedicated CHD psychologist in Canada.
CCHA continues to advocate for mental health resources and support for those living with CHD. The resources provided below are to provide support and assistance with mental health issues.
Studies show that psychological health impacts brain health and heart health**. It's important to seek support when mental health issues arise and discuss with your healthcare team. Also important is to take steps to promote wellness and resilience such as
- physical exercise
- quality sleep
- learning and education
- social activities
- healthy eating
This includes proactive strategies for your mental health
- Optimism
- Purpose and alignment with values
- Mindfulness: strategies for awareness, relaxations, medication
- Sources of pleasure and happiness
- Gratitude
- Self-compassion (How to practice self -compassion: 8 techniques and tips)
Ressources en santé mentale
Les cardiopathies congénitales touchent plus de 257 000 Canadiens. Beaucoup ont des problèmes de santé mentale en vivant avec leurs malformations cardiaques.
L'ACCC a mené une enquête sur la santé mentale * en octobre 2020. Nous avons reçu 66 réponses de partout au Canada.
88% des adultes vivant avec #CHD ont connu des problèmes de santé mentale à un moment donné.
75% des personnes atteintes de cardiopathies congénitales ont discuté de problèmes de santé mentale avec un professionnel de la santé. Seulement 41% ont été référés pour des services de santé mentale par ces mêmes prestataires ou un autre professionnel de la santé?
46% des personnes atteintes de cardiopathies congénitales n’ont pas le sentiment que leur santé mentale a été traitée en priorité par leurs fournisseurs de soins de santé.
À l'heure actuelle, il n'existe aucun programme pour traiter l'anxiété et la dépression liée aux cardiopathies congénitales et seulement 1 psychologue spécialisé dans les cardiopathies congénitales au Canada.
CCHA continue de plaider en faveur des ressources et du soutien en santé mentale pour les personnes atteintes de cardiopathie congénitale. Les ressources fournies ci-dessous visent à fournir un soutien et une assistance pour les problèmes de santé mentale.
Des études montrent que la santé psychologique a un impact sur la santé cérébrale et cardiaque**. Il est important de demander de l'aide lorsque des problèmes de santé mentale surviennent et d'en discuter avec votre équipe soignante. Il est également important de prendre des mesures pour promouvoir le bien-être et la résilience, comme
- exercice physique
- un sommeil de qualité
- apprentissage et éducation
- activités sociales
- alimentation saine
Cela comprend des stratégies proactives pour votre santé mentale
- Optimisme
- Objectif et alignement avec les valeurs
- Pleine conscience : stratégies de prise de conscience, relaxations, médicaments
- Sources de plaisir et de bonheur
- Gratitude
- Auto-compassion (How to practice self -compassion: 8 techniques and tips)
To see a list of resource by province, click here / Pour voir une liste de ressources par province, cliquez sur ici
The association’s mission is to promote awareness of anxiety disorders and support access to proven resources and treatment. Resources for all ages.
Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA)
Mental health for all. Founded in 1918, the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) is the most established, most extensive community mental health organization in Canada.
We’re here to listen to you, support you, and guide you in the right direction.
1-833-456-4566 or text 45645
A national network of suicide and distress centre hotlines. If you’re thinking about suicide or in distress, or are worried about a friend or loved one, the Canada Suicide Prevention Service is available 24/7 for voice and 4pm to 12am ET for text.
Mental Health Commission of Canada
We are part of several initiatives, undertaken with other health-care organizations across Canada, that seek to increase access to high-quality mental health services.
Mind Beacon offers a variety of virtual mental health supports with the goal of making mental health care more accessible. Note: some resources offered may require fees or are offered through a paywall.
Mood Disorders Society or Canada
The Mood Disorders Society of Canada (MDSC) has evolved to become one of Canada’s best-connected mental health NGOs with a demonstrated track record for forging and maintaining meaningful and sustained partnerships with the public, private and non-profit sectors throughout Canada.
Aims to reduce stigma around maternal mental health and post-partum depression. Learn more about the program and resources they offer
Workplace Strategies for Mental Health
At Workplace Strategies for Mental Health, you'll find tools and resources for workplace mental health and psychological safety available for all Canadians at no cost, compliments of Canada Life.
Our online lifeline and extensive web resource at www.yourlifecounts.org runs in parallel with our offline community outreach and support services. Find support numbers to crisis lines and distress centers in your Country and state/Province.
Youth
Call 1-800-668-6868 (toll-free) or text CONNECT to 686868 Phone | Text | Chat | Messenger.
Available 24 hours a day to Canadians aged 5 to 29 who want confidential and anonymous care from professional counsellors.
Good2Talk provides confidential support services for post-secondary students in Ontario and Nova Scotia.
Wellness & Emotional Support for youth online:
To provide wellness and emotional support for youth through online professional counselling in a safe, secure, and confidential manner.
YMHC: Youth Mental Health Canada
To provide youth mental health and wellness education through our tool kit of resources and aids. To support students, parents/families and educators in promoting mental wellness. To increase students’ sources of strength, awareness, resilience and support.
Developed by the BC Children's Kelty Mental Health Resource Centre and BC Children's Centre for Mindfulness, along with young people, this free app provides ways to get started with mindfulness.
Free service provides immediate access to mental health services, when they’re needed, wherever they’re needed for children and youth age 0-17 or parents/caregivers are welcome to connect to the service with their child to ensure access. They provide culturally safe and appropriate support to every corner of Ontario. Available in multiple languages and certified therapists’ experiences and backgrounds are as diverse as the communities they support
The Mindful Adventures of Unicorn Island
A family-friendly animated series of 10-minute episodes with a diverse cast, that introduces and teaches children
Indigenous
Call 1-855-242-3310 (toll-free) or online chat. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Offers immediate mental health counselling and crisis intervention to all Indigenous peoples across Canada. Experienced and culturally sensitive help line counsellors can help if you want to talk or are distressed.
COVID-19 Resources
Apps and Resources
Free mindfulness based resources
Free University ofToronto course on managing anxiety: https://www.coursera.org/learn/manage-health-covid-19
Community and Peer Support
Online chat group for people struggling with anxiety
A community dedicated to your well-being where you can exchange with our network of professionals and others like you.
TogetherAll (formerly Big White Wall)
An online peer-to-peer support community for your mental health
International
Through social media we offer open and closed forums to learn, chat, grow, and ask questions in a safe environment.
Mended Hearts and Mended Little Hearts
Joining Mended Hearts connects you instantly to patients and caregivers just like you who understand the needs of cardiovascular disease patients. The Mended Hearts program provide counselling and emotional support at the hospital bedside, one-to-one support after discharge, plus a variety of helpful support group meetings, educational materials, online events and social activities.
Social support from people with similar diseases or experiences from CHD to Emotional Wellbeing and others.
MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT BY PROVINCE
MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT BY PROVINCE
Alberta
403-266-4357
Alberta Health Services also offers free programming for Albertans struggling with a chronic health condition.
Canadian Mental Health Association - Alberta Division
780-482-6576
Suicide Information and Education Services
403-347-2480
Psychologists Association of Alberta - Find a Psychologist
1-888-424-0297
British Columbia
Guided workbook to manage anxiety – requires referral on website (see attached, can be GP or self)
Canadian Mental Health Association - British Columbia Division
1-800-555-8222
1-800-661-2121
Greater Vancouver Area:
604-872-3311
Howe Sunshine & Sunshine Coast:
1-866-661-3311
604-675-2551 or 1-866-884-0888
B.C. Psychological Association - Find a Psychologist
604-730-0501
Manitoba
Manitoba Suicide Prevention Line "Reason to Live"
1-877-435-7170
1-888-322-3019
Canadian Mental Health Association - Manitoba Division
204-982-6100
204-784-4090
Mental Health Education Resource Centre of Manitoba
1-855-942-6568
Manitoba Psychological Society - Find a Psychologist
204-488-7398
New Brunswick
1-800-667-5005
Canadian Mental Health Association - New Brunswick Division
506-455-5231
College of Psychologists of N.B. - Find a Psychologist
506-382-1994
Newfoundland and Labrador
1-888-737-4668
Canadian Mental Health Association - Newfoundland and Labrador Division
1-877-753-8550
Mental Health and Addictions Services triage line
1-844-353-3330
Association of Psychology in Newfoundland and Labrador - Find a Psychologist
709-739-5405
Northwest Territories
Northwest Territories Help Line
1-800-661-0844
Department of Health and Social Services
1-867-767-9061
Nova Scotia
Mental Health Mobile Crisis Line
1-888-429-8167
Canadian Mental Health Association - Nova Scotia Division
1-877-466-6606
Association of Psychologists of Nova Scotia - Find a Psychologist
Nunavut
Nunavut Kamatsiaqtut Help Line
1-800-265-3333
Ontario
Guided workbook to manage anxiety – requires referral on website (can be GP or self)
1-866-925-5454 or text GOOD2TALKON to 686868
416-929-5200
In Ottawa: 613-722-6914
In the larger Ottawa area: 1-866-996-0991
ONTX Ontario Online & Text Crisis Service
Text 258258
District and Crisis Ontario Helplines
416-486-2242
ConnexOntario provides free and confidential health services information for people experiencing problems with alcohol and drugs, mental illness or gambling by connecting them with services in their area.
1-866-531-2600
Ontario Psychological Association - Find a Psychologist
416-961-5552
Canadian Mental Health Association - Ontario Division
Counseling and Crisis Resources
1-800-875-6213
416-248-2050
1-888-579-2888
416-408-4357 or text 45645
Prince Edward Island
1-800-218-2885
Canadian Mental Health Association - Prince Edward Island Division
902-566-3034
Psychological Association of Prince Edward Island - Find a Psychologist
Quebec
Centre de Prevention du Suicide de Quebec
1-866-277-3553
AMI-Quebec – FR
1-855-272-7837
AMI-Quebec – EN
514-486-1448 1-877-303-0264 outside Montreal
Association Québécoise pour les Parents et Amis de la Personne Atteinte de Maladie Mentale – Montréal
514-524-7131
Centre de Prevention du Suicide du Haut-Richelieu
450-348-6300
514-849-3291
Saskatchewan:
Saskatoon Crisis Intervention Service
306-933-6200
306-757-0127
Canadian Mental Health Association - Saskatchewan Division
1-800-461-5483
Psychology Association of Saskatchewan - Find a Psychologist
Yukon
Yukon Crisis Line
403-668-9111
Yukon Health and Social Services
1-866-456-3838 (area code 867)
Mood Disorders Society of Canada - Yukon Division
1-867-667-8346
Canadian Mental Health Association - Yukon
1-867-668-6429 – to book appointment
Reach Out Support Line
1-844-533-3030
*The mental health survey was conducted in partnership with MacEwan Univeristy NURS 424 students in October 2020. / L'enquête sur la santé mentale a été menée en partenariat avec les étudiants NURS 424 de l'Université MacEwan en octobre 2020.
** Taken from the Optimizing brain health across the lifespan presentation by Dr. Thalia Fields at the 2024 Fontan Education Day / Tiré de la présentation Optimiser la santé cérébrale tout au long de la vie par la Dre Thalia Fields lors de la Journée d'éducation Fontan 2024
Thanks to Barb Bailey NP and Peter Munk Cardiac Centre for assistance with resources. Thanks to Reina Arnold of Centennial College for researching mental health resources across Canada. Students from MacEwan and Centennial were through virtual internships with Riipen available through an RBC Future Launch program grant.
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