March 17, 2020 – Winnipeg Release
As the world responds to the current COVID-19 Pandemic, CMHA Manitoba and Winnipeg has established an ongoing information review and decision-making process, to ensure the latest directives and recommendations from Public Health Agency of Canada, Manitoba Health, and Shared Health are implemented.
Our clear mandate is to protect the health of Manitobans by continuing to provide critical community mental health services to those in need, while implementing prudent public health safety measures based on evidence and the best advice from public health experts.
As an organization we provide services and support to a diverse population both within our office and across the communities we serve. Much of our contact is in community where people live, work, and play. Many of the individuals we support are vulnerable and through this planning process our main priority is the health and well-being of those we serve and our dedicated staff.
Based on public health experts advice at this time we are recommending limiting in-person interactions to less than 10 minutes, minimizing numbers of people congregating in one place, and ensuring people are interacting at safe distances. These recommendations will be implemented while we continue to deliver essential services to our community.
In addition to these general protocols we are also implementing a reduced service model effective March 18, 2020 until further notice.
• All courses and training sessions at the CMHA Well-being Learning Centre will be rescheduled
• All evening and weekend support groups and education sessions will be cancelled
• All scheduled workplace training and community educations sessions delivered by CMHA staff outside of 930 Portage will be cancelled
• The CMHA public computer resource area will be closed – effective March 16, 2020
• We will begin delivering services and conducting meetings through telephone or other digital technology (where suitable based on privacy requirements) and limited in-person contact where required
• Crisis situations and one-on-one service needs will still be attended to on a case-by-case basis
Cleaning and disinfecting of our space will occur at least twice daily. We will work with other community stakeholders to provide education on proper hand washing and other preventative hygiene practices. Education will also include steps to take if symptoms occur and how to access accurate information on the COVID-19 s.
In addition to developing a response for our agency, service users, students and staff we are also committed to providing support to the broader community as this situation can be stressful and create psychological distress. CMHA is committed to supporting the mental health and well-being of Manitobans and will increase our social media presence at this time to enhance communication and education on mental wellness during this public health crisis.
Please visit our website at www.mbwpg.cmha.ca for updated information on our agencies response and other links to information about taking care of your mental health during COVID-19 pandemic.
We will continue to monitor and review our response in partnership with public health officials and Manitoba Health. As the situation changes so too will our approach to ensure we do our part to contain the virus and support our collective community well-being.
Thank you to all of our dedicated team members, volunteers, and community members for your support and cooperation. We know its team work, kindness and our collective efforts that will make a difference in getting through these unprecedented times.
Take care,
Marion Cooper
Executive Director
CMHA Manitoba and Winnipeg