SaskAbilities collaborates with partners to provide mental wellness support
A collaborative initiative by the SaskAbilities Swift Current branch is helping individuals to achieve a sense of mental wellness and to deal with feelings of isolation and uncertainty due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
SaskAbilities Swift Current received a federal grant of $10,000 to support individuals experiencing disability through the provision of interactive virtual workshops that enhance their mental health.
“SaskAbilities was really pleased to receive the funding from the Government of Canada’s Emergency Support Fund,” Program Manager Jayda Watson said. “It was in round two of that funding opportunity, and it is being administered through the United Way Regina. The funding really has allowed us to increase our capacity, to enhance mental health and wellbeing and the coping skills for individuals experiencing disability as we continue to transition through the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Individuals experiencing disability are trying to cope with the same pandemic fatigue as everyone else. They are missing their in-person connections and their previous participation in community events and activities.
“So we were really proud that this funding is providing us the opportunity to offer the additional support to individuals with intellectual disabilities during this unprecedented time,” she said.
SaskAbilities Swift Current had to change the way it provides support to individuals due to the pandemic and it identified the need for these mental health workshops.
“We are able to provide and have been providing lots of virtual programming that people have been participating in and joining, and some limited in-person activities adhering to the guidelines laid out, but through that we know that there are people who are needing to find ways of coping,” she said. “We want to focus on the healthy coping skills and moving through the pandemic in a way that allows us to come out stronger as we move through.”