COVID-19 Bounce Back Program
The COVID-19 Bounce Back Program
It's been 19 months, and vaccine roll outs have provided that much needed “relief” that the end of this pandemic is in sight. However, the uncertainty of a fourth wave… fifth wave… or going back into a non-socially distanced world may have some of us hesitant to jump back into our pre-pandemic lifestyle.
If you’re anything like me, you have been living so long in your pandemic bubble that taking the “steps” back into a public reality is… well, overwhelming. Don’t get me wrong, I am excited at the possibility of hugging my family and having those large social gatherings to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries and other various milestone events. BUT there has been this “new normal” we have all been living in for so long that I am now accustomed to…and quite frankly I am “comfortable” with it. I am used to waking up, walking down the hallway, grabbing a coffee and opening my computer to work. The casual phone call to a co-worker here and there for some “virtual social interaction," or the weekend Facetime call to family and friends to stay connected – it's easy, low-key and doesn’t require AS much effort as before (travel, scheduling, etc.).
Now, with the vaccines providing some light at the end of the tunnel, my pandemic bubble is slowly popping, and I have the ability to see yet ANOTHER glimpse of a “new normal” and the thoughts that come with it are at times quite overwhelming. It also means, another set of adjustments to my current routines and lifestyle. Back to the daily commute, child-care drop off, scheduling around kids and their events, getting together with family, friends, and now quite frankly turning my slower world back into a fast-paced world. Was it really such a fast-paced life before? Having to juggle so many tasks? Has the pandemic really helped slow down life that much that entering back into a publicly social lifestyle has me on edge??? This pandemic has certainly taken a toll on many people’s mentality. However, something we can take solace in is that this pandemic has helped make us resilient. We have found new ways to manage our lives – work, social, family, etc. In some ways, it has strengthened and made things better for us that we may not go back to the “old way.” As written in the article from The Atlantic, The Pandemic Did not Affect Mental Health the way you think, 3 University psychology professors took a look into the effects of the pandemic on mental health and found many positive insights, one including “Human beings are not passive victims of change but active stewards of our own well-being”.
During the start of the pandemic, when the months of lockdown were piling up, there were places to go and turn to for those struggling to find a new balance in the “new normal”. Now, it's happening again…. But in the sense that the world is opening again, and that we have to adjust to yet ANOTHER new “normal”. There may be questions and feelings of anxiety towards it. Going back to the “old” ways – commuting, the possibility of working back in an office setting, scheduling around kids sports, school, camps, booking vacations (where do you go?), family visits, getting together with friends, etc. etc. Although these may be exciting times, for some, it can be overwhelming to have to go from this pandemic lifestyle and now going into yet another change with some uncertainty of what this “new” normal will look like. Something that has taken me years to understand, is that it's okay to reach for help and talk about these feelings and thoughts. It’s a way to relieve the burden of carrying it yourself and obtain skills to allow you to understand and cope with different situations. There has been an increasing amount of virtual and online mental health resources, and yet again, another one has been presented – but this time, one that is geared towards “Bouncing Back.”
The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), has expanded its online and virtual mental health supports to help those navigating the difficulties of Covid-19. It is not a crisis service or a counselling program, but a life-skills course that helps participants, ages 15+, develop coping skills so they can overcome challenges now, and in the future…. And a bonus, it is free. A variety of tools within the program; workbooks, videos, virtual coaching from trained mental health care providers with a variety of different professional backgrounds (psychologists, social work, etc.) and more.
To learn more about the program, visit: BounceBack Ontario – Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario
If you, or anyone you know, has struggled with adjusting to the pandemic, become accustomed to lockdown life, and now struggling with adjusting back to a non-socially distanced world, know you are not alone and there are tools to help! If you are in need of any other mental health supports, you can also check out the links under our Mental Health section on our resources page. Also a reminder our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is available. To find out how to access this service please contact Human Resources or speak to your manager.
As we adjust to another new normal together, remember, Be Well, Keep Well.
Articles on resilience during Covid-19 below:
COVID-19 Did Not Affect Mental Health the Way You Think - The Atlantic
Mental health could ‘bounce back’ post-pandemic, new research suggests | Globalnews.ca