Still Adapting to COVID-19: Staying Safe

      Collaborative Projects, Fiscal 2022-2023, General, Homepage

*Warning: This section may contain language, images, or content you may find disturbing; the subject matter is highly sensitive and can be triggering to those who have experienced trauma.

In the spring of 2020, BCcampus launched the Adapting to COVID-19 website: an online repository for students, staff, and faculty that offers support for mental health concerns, financial relief, safety and personal rights, and the pivot to online learning and teaching. This post is the third in a series highlighting some of the resources and webinars still available on the website. Read the first two posts: We Are Still Adapting to COVID-19 and Online Learning in an Adapting to COVID-19 World. 

COVID-19 has introduced a substantial amount of stress into the lives of many Canadians, and people may still be isolated in homes that are not safe. If you or someone you know is a survivor and/or living in a home with family violence, supports are available to help with managing anxiety and safety.

Battered Women Support Services

If you or someone you know is a victim of family violence, support is available for you, even during this pandemic. The Battered Women’s Support Services crisis line is open and offers emotional support, legal advocacy, and safety plans for women experiencing gender-based domestic violence.

Virtual Mental Health Supports for Victims of Family or Sexual Violence

Maintaining your mental health during a crisis, whether it’s a global pandemic or a more personal challenge, is key to surviving and thriving during this time. 

Services include:

  • The Canadian Mental Health Association’s Mental Health Check-In can help you assess where you are and what help you might need during these difficult times.
  • The Ending Violence Association of BC provides victim services, violence counselling, and multicultural outreach programs as well as centres for sexual/gender-based violence. The site offers links to essential anti-violence programs, sorted by region so you can find a service near you.
  • The BC Society of Transition Houses provides support to transition houses, second- and third-stage houses, safe homes, and PEACE and Violence is Preventable programs.
  • BC Housing has a search page for safe homes and transition houses in B.C. for people fleeing violence at home.
  • The National Domestic Violence Hotline offers safety plans, self-care, and help for people in abusive situations in Canada.
  • HeretoHelp provides support and assistance to improve mental health, manage mental health, and use substances in healthier ways.
  • BounceBack is a free online-, video-, or phone-based program that offers coaching and skill-building resources.
  • Here2Talk is a program from the B.C. government with online resources and professional counsellors available to help with a wide range of current concerns, like anxiety, abuse, balance, stress, and more. 

Victim Services

If you or someone you know has been the victim of a crime, services are available to help you and your family. 

Services include:

  • VictimLinkBC provides support in over 150 languages, including many North American Aboriginal languages. Contact VictimLinkBC for help and support for:
    • Understanding and coping with the effects of the crime
    • Emotional support
    • Additional resources
    • Guidance through the court process
    • Information and help applying for financial benefits
  • Helpline for Children is a way to report child abuse in B.C. Contact 310-1234 (you don’t need an area code).
  • CourtInformation.ca offers a legal toolkit to help immigrants to B.C. overcome language and cultural barriers as they navigate the B.C. court system as an accused, victim, witness, or party involved in a civil suit.
  • Native Courtworker offers “A Helping Hand to Justice” for victims and accused as well as many other support services.
  • Vulnerable: The Law, Policy, and Ethics of COVID-19 is an openly available ebook from the University of Ottawa that examines the vulnerabilities for people who have been, or may be, harmed by COVID-19.

Webinars: