COVID-19 Information for Clients & Visitors

Updated January 4, 2021 at 8:30 AM EST

The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Oxford is adapting services during the province-wide lockdown to keep our community safe, while continuing to provide mental health support. The following adaptations are in place until January 29, 2021:

1. The Oxford Self Help Drop-In will be closed. Connect with the Peer Support team on the Oxford Self Help Facebook Group for resources and information on accessing the team in-person or over the phone
2. All CMHA Oxford & Oxford Self Help groups currently being offered will be offered online
3. Oxford County Walk-In Counselling with CMHA Oxford will be available as pre-booked telephone sessions.  Sessions can be pre-booked by calling 1-800-859-7248 x 210 and leaving a voicemail with your name and phone number.  Your call will be returned with the next available time slot. Oxford County Walk-In Counselling with CMHA Oxford will be available by telephone sessions during the following days and times:
   1. Mondays 12 PM – 7 PM for Tillsonburg and area
   2. Tuesdays 3 PM – 7 PM for Ingersoll and area
   3. Saturdays 10 AM – 3 PM for Woodstock and area
4. Crisis & Outreach Services can still be accessed by calling Reach Out 24/7 at 1-866-933-2023
5. Visitors to the Woodstock, Ingersoll, and Tillsonburg offices will be screened before entering

Further reductions in service may be necessary; please continue to check our social media, this website, or call, before seeking service at any CMHA Oxford locations.

CMHA experts are reminding individuals with exacerbated anxiety and depression symptoms of how to manage their mental wellness at this time of uncertainty.

CMHA York and South Simcoe’s CEO Rebecca Shields and clinical director Dr. Deanne Simms offer these five basic tips to help individuals experiencing heightened mental health concerns to remain calm and balanced as this public health situation unfolds.

• Considering the level of attention and seriousness being paid to the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s normal to feel anxious. Try not to avoid, ignore or suppress anxious thoughts. Instead, be aware of your anxiety and accept that you’re feeling anxious in this situation. Try to keep things in perspective; notice and challenge your thoughts that may be extreme or unhelpful.
• Self-care is critically important at this time, as worries can be made worse if we aren’t taking care of ourselves. Lean on social supports, try to get enough sleep, eat healthy, exercise and engage in enjoyable activities. Do the things you would typically do to support your health, and be sure to use caution and follow health and safety guidelines while doing them.
• Seek information from reliable news sources only. Limit checking in on the latest news to short, defined periods, and refrain from setting related push notifications on your device. Appropriate information consumption may be calming and can lessen the sense of danger.
• Take the recommended precautions as outlined by Health Canada and other credible health agencies. Remain focused on the factors within your control, such as washing hands, covering your mouth during coughs and sneezes, avoiding non-essential travel, etc.
• If you’re noticing that your symptoms of anxiety (in association with COVID-19 or otherwise) are causing you significant distress or are interfering with your ability to function normally, reach out for formal mental health supports from a recognized agency, such as CMHA.

CMHA Oxford appreciates the community support with these decisions in an effort to prioritize the health of clients, visitors, and staff.