Supporting mental health through virtual connections

It’s been almost a year since the first COVID-19 case was detected in Alberta. While the vaccine brings hope, it’s likely the pandemic will continue to impact our lives – physically, mentally, economically – for many months to come. The provincial government is conscious of the sacrifices that Albertans have made to help keep each other safe.

Pandemic fatigue is being experienced by many people. If you are feeling stress, anxiety or sadness during this challenging time, you are not alone. A December national study by the Canadian Mental Health Association reported 40% of Albertan respondents felt their mental health had deteriorated since the onset of the pandemic. One of the greatest reported causes of stress or worry was being separated from friends and family.

Luckily, there are many ways to connect virtually. People with addiction have been attending online mutual support groups, like AA. I’ve also heard of people having video coffee dates, playing online games together and hosting virtual crafting nights. With public health restrictions easing a bit, we can also once again get together outdoors in small, physically distanced groups of 10.

While these connections can ease stress and worry, they may not provide the opportunity to talk about mental health challenges – which can be difficult at the best of times. With the pandemic impacting the emotional well-being of many people, it’s important to connect with those who are experiencing and feeling similar things. Today, I’d like to highlight one such peer-to-peer resource: Togetherall.

Togetherall is a safe place to talk and get mental health and emotional support, where you can connect with people without fear of judgement. It’s free for Albertans 16+, plus it’s anonymous and moderated 24/7 by professionals. Access is immediate after signing up.

Beyond the benefit of a supportive community, Togetherall also offers a variety of tools and resources to encourage positive mental health. For example, you can keep a personal journal, set and work towards goals, or join an online course.

Register for Togetherall today to join the conversation.