Mental Health Program Information
Being healthy means keeping your mind as well as your body healthy. When you are mentally healthy, you enjoy your life and the people in it and you are better to cope with difficult times. Sometimes situations, feelings and behaviors can be overwhelming, difficult to manage and interfere with your quality of life and you may benefit from professional help.
Mental illness is not uncommon. One in five Canadians will personally experience a mental illness in their lifetime. It can affect people of all ages, education and income levels and cultures. Mental health exists along a continuum from better to worse – even in the absence of an official diagnosis, it is often helpful to talk to someone to improve your overall level of mental well-being.
The mental health counsellors at Grimsby Medical Associates can help you improve your mental health, targeting those with mild to moderate mental health concerns.
Common presenting concerns:
- Depression, anxiety, or other mental health issues
- Work related stressors
- Personal/family issues or conflict
- Concerns with anger, shame, substance misuse
- Poor sense of self-esteem/self-worth
- Negative thinking
- Difficulties coping with the demands of day to day life
- Poor sleep
- Situational concerns and issues
- … and more!
If you think you could benefit from speaking to one of our counsellors, please ask for a referral from your family physician.
Please note that we are not a crisis service. If you are experiencing thoughts about hurting yourself or someone else, or if you are feeling actively suicidal, please call COAST at 1-866-550-5205, for children & youth 1-800-263-4944 or visit your local emergency department. If you are in an emergency situation, please call 911.
OTHER RESOURCES
Crisis Support
Crisis Outreach and Support Team (COAST) Niagara/ Mental Health Access Line
Provides 24-7 crisis and intervention services (telephone and outreach) to people with a mental illness who are in crisis and who reside in the Niagara Area.
1-866-550-5205
Pathstone Mental Health Crisis Services
Provides 24-7 crisis and intervention services to children and youth (up to 18) who are in crisis and their families who reside in the Niagara Area.
1-800-263-4944
Crisis Outreach and Support Team (COAST) Hamilton
Provides 24-7 crisis and intervention services (telephone and outreach) to people with a mental illness who are in crisis and who reside in the Hamilton area. Serves both children/youth and adults.
905-972-8338
Distress Centre Niagara
24-hour, free, confidential telephone crisis intervention support service available to anyone in need in the Niagara Region
Grimsby, West Lincoln: 905-563-6674
St. Catharines, Niagara Falls and Area: 905-688-3711
Port Colborne, Wainfleet and Area: 905-734-1212
Fort Erie and Area: 905-382-0689
General Resources
Book: Mind Over Mood: Change How You Feel By Changing The Way You Think, 2nd edition (2015) by Greenberger and Padesky. Guilford Publications, Inc. – A CBT based self-help workbook designed to help you overcome emotional distress and learn new skills.
Website: MoodGYM (https://moodgym.anu.edu.au) – A CBT based self-help online module program targeted towards young people. Free of charge, does require signing up. Developed by the National Institute for Mental Health Research at the Australian National University.
Website: Anxiety BC (https://www.anxietybc.com) – A Canadian website designed to provide information and self-help resources for anxiety and related concerns, as well as providing resources for parents and caregivers.
Program: Bounce Back (www.bouncebackontario.ca, 1-866-345-0224) – A free program run by the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) for individuals 15+ experiencing mild to moderate depression and anxiety. Community coaches provide telephone delivery of a brief, workbook-based, self-help program to improve mental health. Self- or physician-referral.
Program: Big White Wall (www.otn.ca/bigwhitewall) – An online mental health support network for those 16+. Connect with others and share how you’re feeling 24/7. Learn new ways to take on life’s challenges. Free to patients in Ontario. Self-refer.
App: Headspace – “Meditation made simple.” An app designed to introduce you to guided meditation sessions and mindfulness training. 10 free introductory sessions plus more downloadable content available for purchase.
The mental health counsellors run monthly workshops on a variety of mental health related topics. All workshops are open to the public. Please contact Grimsby Medical Associates 905-945-5476 or stop by reception to register.
UPCOMING WORKSHOPS
All workshops will be held at the Peach King Centre in the Auditorium on the second floor (162 Livingston Avenue, Grimsby).
Mindfulness and Acceptance
Monday January 27, 2020
2:30pm to 4:30pm
Grimsby Public Library – Art Studio
18 Carnegie Lane, Grimsby, ON
- Do you struggle with staying in the present moment or have trouble focusing on one thing at a time?
- Do you get caught up in negative thoughts and emotions?
- Curious about the mindfulness trend?
Please join Grimsby Medical Associates’ Mental Health Counsellors for a workshop introducing skills and strategies to live your life more mindfully, with openness, curiosity, and acceptance.
Getting Better Sleep
Dates for 2020 will be posted soon .
- Do you struggle falling asleep, staying asleep or waking up feeling refreshed?
- Do stress or other mental health concerns make it harder to sleep or does your lack of sleep impact your mental wellbeing?
Please join Grimsby Medical Associates’ Mental Health Counsellors for a workshop that will provide practical suggestions to help you improve the quality of your sleep.
CBT: Challenging Negative Thinking
Dates for 2020 will be posted soon .
- Have you ever wanted to get better control over your thoughts or worries?
- Are you struggling with managing your mood & emotions?
Please join Grimsby Medical Associates’ Mental Health Counsellors for a workshop introducing Cognitive Behavioural Therapy theory and practice.
