

RNAO is aware nurses and health-care providers across Ontario are experiencing tremendous levels of physical and emotional stress due to COVID-19, and are committed to supporting you during this time.
Mental health and well being is essential. To maintain the safety of health-care workers and their families during this crisis, a list of recommended resources has been compiled to support you.
If you are in crisis, please call your local distress line. If you are facing a mental health emergency, please call 911.
Description | Resource(s) |
Clinical services to support health-care providers experiencing distress |
Support and help lines:
|
These sites provide information and suggestions about how best to cope with stress and anxiety |
The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) |
Online resources for Ontario long-term care (LTC) home leaders and team members during the COVID-19 pandemic |
Homewood resources posted in CLRI: Mental Health Supports for LTC
|
For nurses registered with the CNO who have substance use and/or mental health disorders |
|
For medical students, residents, physicians in Ontario who are experiencing distress, mental health or substance use issues |
Ontario Medical Association, Physician Health Program (PHP): PHP Confidential toll free line: 1-800-851-6606 or email php@oma.org |
Support for mental health and well being:
|
Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA)
|
Support for mental health and well being:
|
Mental Health Commission of Canada
World Health Organization (WHO)
|
Counseling and support groups for individuals who use substances |
|
Resources to support children and families |
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health World Health Organization (WHO) Ontario's Ministry of Health: Ontario.ca
Mental Health Commission of Canada |
RNAO is aware nurses across Ontario – especially those working on the frontlines of COVID-19 – are experiencing tremendous levels of physical and emotional stress and burnout. We know this can affect your mental health and well-being at this challenging time and that you may have less time to devote to your own self care.
RNAO hosts a biweekly virtual open forum series for nurses to share how they're feeling during COVID-19. During these forums, RNAO holds breakout sessions for participants to discuss themes identified in the previous forums, such as dealing with multiple losses, taking care of yourself and more.
All Ontario RNs, NPs, RPNs and nursing students – in all roles and sectors – are invited to take part and share or simply join in to listen to your nursing colleagues.
The next session is on March 3, 2021. Stay tuned for registration details.
Past sessions:
In an effort to understand the impact of COVID-19 on your work and well-being, and to determine the best ways we can continue to support you and Ontario’s nursing community, RNAO has created a short survey. If you are an RN, NP or nursing student in Ontario, please complete this short survey. Your participation will allow RNAO to better understand how this pandemic has changed your work, your attitude to work and your future in nursing, and inform our policy and advocacy efforts now and into the future. It will also allow us to capture trends and themes across health-care sectors and settings that may inform our open forum series for nurses.
All responses will remain anonymous and your privacy protected.
The deadline to complete the survey is 4 p.m. ET on Feb. 22.