Self care
The holidays can be a difficult time for many people. That’s why it’s important to learn how to manage anxiety to help you take care of yourself. Another way to take care of yourself is to be among supportive people. Feeling like you’re a part of something can help you feel more included in your community. You can also make friends and learn more about the people and places around you.
For a list of free 2014 Durham Region holiday events, click here.
There are also groups like the COLOURS Youth group in Ajax for youth from 13 to 20 years of age who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questions, and their friends. For more information on the dates and times they meet, visit: http://www.theyouthcentre.ca/programs.php?display=all
Eating Well
There’s a physical aspect when it comes to taking care of yourself such as getting enough nutritious food in your body. Eating healthy and eating sufficient amounts of food can sometimes make you feel better emotionally.
For lower cost meals, you can visit places such as St. Vincent’s Kitchen where they charge $1.25 for each meal (51 King St. E., Oshawa): 905-433-4006.
For alternatives, here’s a great resource that gives you more information ranging from food hampers to food banks and community dinners. The Food Resource Directory is a document that gives information to help residents in the region to access sufficient and nutritious food. Click here to view the directory.
Keeping warm
According to this article, warm baths help people feel less lonely. A Canadian study found that people whose body temperature was lower tended to feel more lonely. So another option is to bundle up!
The Salvation Army Uxbridge (19 Main St. N., Uxbridge) 905-852-0090
Emergency disaster services, provides clothing,
food, traffic control, immediate lodging &
practical assistance onsite. Also provides a
variety of services to those in need.
Crisis Resources
Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868
Distress Centre Durham Crisis Line (24 hour telephone counselling, crisis and suicide intervention and referral): 905-430-2522 or 1-800-452-0688
- Confidential and anonymous service
- Available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
- Volunteers are trained in crisis prevention and suicide prevention
- Has a suicide Survivor Support Group
- For the LGBTQ Prideline Durham Helpline, call 1-855-87-PRIDE(77433)
- Mon-Sun 6pm-10pm
- http://www.distresscentredurham.com/gethelp/lgbtprideline.php
Durham Mental Health Services – Crisis Line: 905-666-0483 or 1-800-742-1890 or TTY 1-866-620-3490
dmhs.ca
- 24 hour phone line support
- Will link with mobile crisis team free of charge (10am-8pm Monday to Friday)
- Self referrals are accepted as long as the client is 16 years of age or older
- Provides follow up support and community linkage
- Short term crisis beds in Whitby and Ajax
The Denise House-Oshawa (24 hour Crisis Line for abused women, counselling, children’s programs, shelter): 905-728-7311 or 1-800-263-3725
Durham Rape Crisis Centre (24 crisis line, counselling and support groups for recent or past abuse): 905-668-9200 (*Please call collect)
Bethesda House-Bowmanville (24 hr crisis line) : 905-623-6050 or 1-800-338-3397
Lakeridge Health Crisis Intervention Team: 905-433-4384
- 7am -12pm, 7 days a week
- The crisis prevention team is based out of Lakeridge Health Oshawa’s Emergency Department
- Also offered at Bowmanville and Port Perry Hospital Emergency rooms either through a Mental health consultant or a phone consultation
Rouge Valley Health System Ajax Pickering Health Centre (7 days a week, 16 hours a day): 905-683-2320
www.rougevalley.ca/mentalhealth
Assaulted Women’s Helpline (24 hours, 7 days a week support): 1.866.863.0511 TTY: 1.866.863.7868
www.awhl.org
- Offers crisis counselling, emotional support, information, and referrals via telephone to abused women
- Services available in over 150 languages
- Also provides support, information, and referrals to friends and family members of abused women, service providers, and other professionals in contact with abused women
- Anonymous and confidential
Herizon House – Ajax-Pickering (Women’s Centre 24 hour crisis line): 1.866.437.4066
Bethesda House (Shelter) – Bowmanville (24 hour crisis line): 905.623.6050 or 1.800.338.3397
Y’s WISH: 905.576.2997
YWCA crisis line and emergency shelter for women.