The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), Yukon Division, is working on developing virtual mental health services.

“We are looking at how we might be able to provide some kind of service, recognizing that this is a really anxiety- and fear-inducing time,” Tiffanie Tasane, the CMHA’s executive director, told the Star this morning.

The office is currently closed. In-person counselling sessions and other programs are cancelled.

Yukoners who are currently registered with a counsellor can call the regular office line to schedule an appointment by phone. Counsellors are working from home and monitoring the main phone line.

Drop-in services are suspended, and the CMHA is not currently taking new clients.

Tasane said the CMHA is working to develop some mental health supports that can be accessed virtually while Yukoners self-isolate.

While the territory works on financial solutions to support businesses and tourism, conversations about mental health have been largely left behind.

Tasane noted that last Monday, the Yukon government rolled out $4 million in stimulus funding without mention of mental health services.

While other things are understandably taking priority for the moment, Tasane explained that the need for mental health support will become essential.

“It’s going to become a really big problem, I think,” Tasane said.

“Part of the anxiety and fear is things are changing moment-to-moment. We can’t make plans; nothing is solid.

“For some people who don’t like flexibility, it can be a challenging time.”

Tasane said Yukoners should stay tuned for updates from the CMHA.

In the meantime, she made some recommendations for enabling mental health while in isolation.

She said Yukoners should try to keep to a schedule that is as close as possible to normal.

Other recommendations included eating and sleeping well, getting fresh air, meditating and staying connected virtually to friends and family.

There is a growing number of resources available online for free, spanning from entertainment to meditation and children’s education.

She noted that it’s important to stay community-minded in these difficult times. Focusing on how to help neighbours and friends can alleviate anxieties.

“We have a tendency in these moments to worry about ourselves, but if we can shift our perspective a little bit to things we are doing …. Let’s connect with neighbours and keep community.”