How 211 Alberta Can Help During a Pandemic During a pandemic or disaster, things change quickly. Government supports and social services might be closed, have limited hours, or have significant phone wait times. New community resources might pop up as people try their best to respond to community needs. Information and referral services such as 211 Alberta are essential in reducing the strain on emergency services, government departments and support service agencies during disaster situations by handling non-emergency calls. 211 is an essential service that helps Albertans find the right resou ..read more

Why change can be stressful The only thing constant in life is change. But the scale of how stressful those changes are can differ. Experiences like landing a job and losing a job, entering a relationship and a relationship breakdown, becoming a parent and losing a loved one can create waves of change that may trigger stress and affect mental health. Change can be especially difficult for those who have depression, anxiety or neurodivergency.   So why are some life changes more stressful than others? It comes down to our perception towards the change and the resources we have to cope wit ..read more

It is no secret that getting outside has been known to improve mental health. Think back to the last time you spent time outside. How did you feel? Chances are you felt a bit better after breathing in the fresh air and taking in some sunshine. From stepping out your front door for a 10-minute walk to a multi-day camping trip, spending time outdoors provides many benefits for your mental health. Energizes the brain Our senses take in experiences and send them to the brain, where they are processed and either creates positive, negative, or neutral outcomes. Studies have shown that just looking ..read more

Since 2010, Bell Let’s Talk Day has been opening up the conversation on mental health to break down stigma, raise funds and awareness, and educate. This year is no different—except for the fact that our mental health is getting worse. Before the pandemic, 1 in 5 Canadians experienced symptoms of mental health disorders but now 1 in 4 Canadians are experiencing these challenges. Even if you’re not experiencing mental health challenges yourself, chances are you will encounter someone in your life who is. For a person experiencing a mental health challenge, talking about it can be a huge step ..read more

The Community Mental Health Engagement Toolkit was developed to support people looking to engage their communities in impactful ways around the conversation of mental health.  It provides a framework as well as some engagement tools people can use to start the conversation and explore possibilities – whether that is in the workplace or beyond.   This blog was written by Launa Clark, Community Mental Health Facilitator at Imagine Institute of Learning  The role of mental health has become a top conversation on front porches, zoom rooms, and Olympic arenas –  basically ..read more

Written by Allison Tunis, an award-winning visual artist and community arts facilitator working on Treaty 6 land in Amiskwaciwâskahikan. She is also the Administrative Backbone Support for the Community Mental Health Action Plan and active in community organizing.  When we think about disabilities, especially in the workplace, mental illness is often overlooked . While we may recognize that mental illnesses can be difficult to cope with and impact someone’s ability to work, employees with disabilities are often under-supported. Layers of a ..read more

About the Action Plan in 6 Images 1. Easier Access to Services for Individuals and Families Struggling with Mental Health, Mental Illness, and Addiction The purpose of the Community Mental Health Action Plan is to ensure that everyone involved in mental health and addiction in Alberta has the opportunity to maximize collective resources, leverage opportunities to respond to existing gaps, foster innovative approaches and identify a continuum of integrated supports and services. This will translate into easier access to services for individuals and families struggling with poor mental health ..read more