Province unveils COVID-19-focused online counselling program

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This article was published 27/03/2020 (2017 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The province will launch a new online mental health therapy program in the next two weeks to help Manitobans cope with the anxiety caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The program, to be offered in English and French, will be accessed through the government’s website (www.manitoba.ca/covid19). It will be available to those age 16 and older, and will not require a referral, Health Minister Cameron Friesen said Friday.

“Pandemics… bring a high level of stress and anxiety,” the minister said.

“People are worried about getting sick. They are worried about their job. They’re worried about their families. They’re worried about exams and school. They’re worried about being isolated.”

The province is partnering with Morneau Shepell, a leading Canadian provider of technology-enabled HR services, to launch the internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy program.

The province will spend $4.5 million to provide the service to Manitobans — free of charge — for up to a year.

The program is “guided by professional therapists and addresses anxiety symptoms related to the uniquely challenging aspects of pandemics,” which include uncertainty, physical isolation, caring for family members and stress management, according to a press release.

Morneau Sheppell’s national network includes thousands of therapists experienced in dealing with the psychological impacts of traumatic events, the government said.

The online program is designed to help people who are feeling “mild or moderate anxiety because of the pandemic,” Friesen said, adding it will supplement — not replace — existing services.

He told reporters the program will be open to an unlimited number of Manitobans.

The program can be accessed through a smartphone, tablet or computer. Clients will be paired with the same therapist for the 12-week duration of an individual program.

Program participants will also have access to live crisis counsellors available around the clock if there is a risk of harm or a client is in crisis, the province said.

larry.kusch@freepress.mb.ca