Mindfulness exercises are the gold standard for managing COVID stress for a reason.

The Self-Help Booklet Series is for people with intellectual disabilities and can be used with the support of family members, friends, staff, and health care professionals. There is a how-to guide accompanying each booklet. The booklets are intended to give people with intellectual disabilities an opportunity to talk through their feelings and make plans for staying well at this difficult time.

SPECIAL OFFER! For those quarantined by the coronavirus, contact them for 2 free months.

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused stress and uncertainty for many of us. Wellness Canada has compiled mental health and substance use support resources to help us through this time, including free 45-minute counselling sessions.

Here’s a fun guide on the basics of yoga and how it can help with stress.

If you’re panicking about the Coronavirus, stop yourself by trying these 7 methods; at-home wellness guide to staying healthy during COVID-19; and more…

Among the many, many changes we have all experienced in recent weeks, some are easier to get used to than others. Most of us find ourselves working from and parenting in the midst of an unprecedented public health emergency. Here are some resources on working from home, parenting, and taking care of your personal well-being to help you with your new day-to-day life.

Stay healthy! Generate hand washing infographics based on your favourite song lyrics.

Looking for ways to meet new people and stay socially connected? This calendar was created to help people with diverse abilities know about different fun and inclusive opportunities to connect with others during COVID-19.

Social distancing doesn’t have to mean social isolation. Find an experience to spark connection.

They post three types of weekly events and opportunities from their partners and the wider community.

• Connect with local community
• Disconnect and clear your mind
• Connect with the wider world

The National Film Board of Canada (NFB) offers a wide range of short- and feature-length films. From animation, and documentary to fiction, there’s a little something for everyone, for free, on their site.

DayOfMusic.ca is a hub of freely available performances, from across the province, for the whole world to watch. Over 100 artists including choirs, orchestras, individuals and bands, from every corner of the province, have contributed performances.

The BC government is expanding its 211 hotline in an effort to pair volunteers with isolated seniors during the Coronavirus pandemic. The line can now be called from anywhere in BC and will be staffed by live operators. The 211 operators will match volunteers with seniors who need help picking up medication, groceries or performing other tasks. You can call 2-1-1 or visit http://www.bc211.ca if you are a senior in need, or would like to volunteer with a senior in your community to check in on them or help pick-up groceries/prescriptions. The helpline takes calls 7 days/week to help keep seniors safe.

Includes a phone line.

Includes a phone line.

Jewish Family Services has recently launched the JFS Community Care Hotline as an emergency response resource. It is now available from 9am-9pm, 7 days a week and staffed by JFS to provide emergency essential services.

Priority services include:

• Meal or food bank grocery delivery
• Counselling/Emotional Support
• Friendly Phone “Visiting”

Three ways to contact for help:

• Call: 604-558-5719
• Email: [email protected]
• Complete the form at www.jfsvancouver.ca/jfs-cares

If you have questions about COVID-19, please call:

• COVID-19 Questions: 1-888-COVID19 (1-888-268-4319)
• BC HealthLink: Dial 811

Please refer to the BC Centre for Disease Control for steps for prevention and report any concerns of illness to the provincial hotline 811. Your local health authority will take the lead in providing immediate response to any health and safety incidents.

This activity book serves up some fun and meaningful activities, events and experiences. Please note that some of the items listed may not be possible to do during this pandemic.

As governments and communities struggle to respond to BC’s rapidly evolving COVID-19 crisis, Inclusion BC warns of growing concerns that people with intellectual disabilities are being left behind, along with the families and community agencies who support them. Read their press release from March 19, 2020.

COVID-19 plain language information with a disability focus.

Telus has recently changed their Internet for Good Program allowing for persons receiving PWD to tap into the program. It provides internet service for $9.95/m for 24m & the option to purchase a low cost computer ($100-$120) through BC Technology for Learning.

During this unprecedented time, families are facing some significant challenges. Children are out of school and lives as we know it are drastically different for the foreseeable future. Imagine what this means for families of children with autism. Parents who depend on a village to keep themselves and their families afloat. This short podcast discusses some strategies for families who may be faced with managing severe behavior while cooped up with corona. For more resources, visit www.behaviorbabe.com/cooped-up-w-corona.

Stay informed:

• Website
• Twitter (@GovCanHealth)

Stay informed:

• Website
• Twitter (@PHSAofBC)
• Facebook

Handout and videos about COVID-19 in multiple languages.

Stay informed:

• Website
• Twitter (@CDCofBC)

These resources are provided as a reference for those seeking information on the economic measures introduced by the Government of Canada to support Canadian workers and businesses during this challenging period. For more details, see Canada’s COVID 19 Economic Response Plan: www.canada.ca/en/department finance/economic response plan.html

Stay informed:

• Website
• Twitter (@EmergencyInfoBC)

The government announced a web-based benefits finder tool, “Find financial help during COVID-19”, on canada.ca/coronavirusbenefits, to help people living in Canada determine which government benefits programs best meet their needs.

• Free 1-hr webinars
  •  Mental Health and Resilience During COVID-19
  •  Working from Home During COVID-19
• Stress reduction exercises
• Free handouts
• Blog articles

The #COVIBOOK is a helpful resource for families explaining #COVID19 to kids. You can print the PDF, read it together, and invite kids to colour the pages. It’s available in 17 languages.

This activity book serves up some fun and meaningful activities, events and experiences. Please note that some of the items listed may not be possible to do during this pandemic.

Resources for being cooped up at home.

The Canadian Shield has added Reusable Kids Face Shields to their ever-growing line of Canadian-made PPE products. Their kids shields have all of the same features as their original face shield design — they’re breathable, adjustable, recyclable and can be reused 15+ times with proper sanitation. Shields for kids ages 5-12 are now available on their online store in packages of 2, 5 and 20!

From baking to sewing lessons to science experiments, tips for keeping kids occupied at home during the coronavirus outbreak.

A new animated video to help kids understand the ins and outs of COVID-19 is hitting the internet as children head back to school. The video, produced by a team at the University of B.C. (UBC), features Super Dot, a spherical superhero who helps explain the coronavirus in a comic book setting.