The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Oxford and United Way Oxford are collaborating to provide mental health support to Oxford County’s frontline and healthcare heroes.
This program is created in response to COVID-19 and the increased stress and anxiety experienced by those working on the frontlines during the pandemic. It provides up to four 1-hour sessions of in-person, telephone, or virtual mental health support.
“Individuals who work on the frontline, whether in healthcare or any other essential service, are heroes who show up for work in the midst of COVID-19,” says Sarah Aalbers, Manager, Peer Support, Crisis and Outreach Services at CMHA Oxford. “But even heroes need support dealing with stress, exhaustion and anxieties. If you are in need of help, the Supporting our Frontline and Healthcare Heroes program is here for you.”
This support is possible due to the partnership with United Way Oxford’s Emergency Community Response Fund.
“Those working on the front line to serve our community – from grocery store clerks, taxi drivers, bank tellers, health care workers and more – have faced uncertainty and stress each and every day. We are grateful for their dedication and want to ensure that they have access to mental health care if needed. Thanks to the Federal Government’s ECSF investment, United Way is able to ensure that help is available with through the ‘Supporting our Frontline and Healthcare Heroes’ program,” says Kelly Gilson, Executive Director, United Way Oxford.
To access support, frontline and essential service workers can call 519-537-8055 x 287 to leave a message with contact information. A staff member will call back to connect them to their preferred method of support, including online resources and free counselling.
Any local businesses who feel this program would benefit their employees and would like free materials can contact Sarah Aalbers at 519-539-8055 x 243.
About Canadian Mental Health Association Oxford
The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Oxford is a pillar in community mental health care in Oxford County. CMHA Oxford pursues hope, recovery, and resilience for all. CMHA Oxford provides recovery-focused programs and services for people of all ages and their families, including Crisis & Outreach Support, Case Management, and Peer Support, and Walk-In Counselling.
About United Way Oxford
United Way Oxford is dedicated to creating opportunities for a better life for everyone living in Oxford County. Working in partnership, we mobilize people and resources to support a network of programs that help people when they need it most. United Way Oxford’s investments work to address root causes of social issues and create lasting, measurable change. We focus our efforts on three priority areas: moving people from poverty to a life of possibility, supporting mental health, well-being and strengthening communities, and helping children and youth reach their full potential.