Media Release
April 15, 2020
New Windsor-Essex Counselling Support Line
provides telephone counselling services during Covid-19
Windsor, ON – The Windsor Essex COVID Care Coalition is launching the Windsor-Essex Counselling Support Line (WECSL) to help people in the community access professional counselling support services. The Support Line is available to the community starting Wednesday, April 15.
“Worry and anxiety are common problems at the best of times,” says Joyce Zuk, Executive Director of Family Services Windsor-Essex and counselling lead agency for the Coalition. “As the impact of COVID-19 in the Windsor-Essex community and the need for physical isolation that can then result in social isolation continues, these feelings can become overwhelming.”
“There is so much uncertainty with what is happening now with COVID-19 and what may happen in the future, that people are understandably feeling anxious. The Coalition anticipates a growing need for professional counselling support to ensure people are able to cope effectively during this challenging time.”
The WECSL is a temporary support line set up to provide timely, safe and responsive telephone counselling support to people who are having difficulty coping effectively at this time. The confidential support line is available to everyone in Windsor and Essex County, including individuals, couples, seniors and families. Talking with a counsellor can help reduce feelings of sadness, anger, fear, and anxiety that have developed as a result of, or been intensified by the current Covid-19 pandemic. The Support Line can also help people learn new coping skills to manage these feelings.
The Windsor Essex Counselling Support Line offers professional counsellors who are members of the Ontario College of Social Workers and who are experienced in providing personal counselling services. The WECSL will operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
To access the helpline, people can call 519-946-3277 or 1-877-451-1055.
Counselling is offered in English and French and translation services are also available. More information on the Support Line services being offered can be found at www.weareunited.com/GetHelp. Info and resources can be found at FSWE Mental Wellness Resources and CMHA Windsor-Essex. #TalkToUsWE.
The Support Line is meant to assist people experiencing mild to moderate distress. Individuals with severe mental health conditions or experiencing a crisis should call the Community Crisis Centre (24/7) at 519-973-4435, or for emergencies call 911.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to place incredible pressure on our social services, community partners are stepping up to help support vulnerable people in the Windsor-Essex community. Coalition partners include Amherstburg Community Services, Alzheimer Society Windsor-Essex, Canadian Mental Health Association Windsor Essex County, City of Windsor, Community Support Centre of Essex County, Family Services Windsor-Essex, Green Shield Canada, Hospice of Windsor & Essex County, Life After Fifty, ProsperUs, South Essex Community Council, Unemployed Help Centre, United Way/Centraide Windsor-Essex County, The Victorian Order of Nurses for Canada, Ontario Branch – Windsor-Essex Site, Windsor-Essex Children’s Aid Society, Windsor-Essex Community Foundation, Windsor Essex Compassion Care Community, Windsor-Essex County Health Unit, Windsor Family Homes & Community Partnerships, and Windsor-Essex Food Bank Association members.
Media Contact: Karen Brady, Acting Vice President, Marketing & Communications,
United Way/Centraide Windsor-Essex County | Windsor Essex COVID Care Coalition Member [email protected] | W: 519-259-6192 | M : 519-564-8554
Facebook Group: Windsor-Essex COVID Care Coalition #TalkToUsWE