Supporting Your Community

Who are vulnerable people in our society?

Vulnerable people are those who are most at risk of severe complications from COVID-19, as well as negative impacts as a result of isolation.

  • Older adults
  • People with chronic health conditions, such as a compromised immune system
  • People with mental illness and substance use problems
  • People facing social or financial barriers
  • People who have difficulty communicating or accessing transportation
  • People who are experiencing homelessness or isolation
  • Some newcomers to our province

What is needed?

Help to support vulnerable people:

  • Offer to safely pick up essential items, such as food, household supplies and medications and deliver them if required.
  • Provide information they may need on medical care, food banks, etc.
  • Support positive mental health and well-being by staying in touch regularly by telephone, text, Face Time and/or email.

How can you help?

Remember, you do not always have to know the answers but knowing the problem is a good start!

  • Think about how your town/community can use its existing resources to support others.
  • Create a registry of needs and develop a plan for how your town can respond.
  • Coordinate with other groups (community agencies, fire department, church groups, etc.) to provide support.
  • Establish a central phone number and/or email where people can call if they need help.
  • Consider translating some of your key documents in languages commonly spoken by newcomers in your community.

Consider…

  • Can town council staff contact all residents to ask if they need essentials?
  • Is there a list of volunteers who can run essential errands or check on neighbours by telephone?
  • Are there local youth groups, such as Scouts Canada, Girl Guides of Canada, Canadian Cadet Organizations, Service Clubs, or Faith-Based Groups, etc. who could write letters to community members, such as seniors, who may be alone or isolated?
  • Reach out to residents who may have a limited social network – social isolation can be particularly present among new residents and their families, persons with disabilities, seniors, and single parent families.
  • Consider how your community can share information like mail outs, community signs or postings in local papers and stores. Encourage people to get news from trusted and valid sources.

Mental Health and Addictions

  • People may feel overwhelmed and stressed at times. Promote the following mental health supports:
  • If Internet is available, encourage people to visit www.bridgethegapp.ca for many free, local mental health and addictions resources and programs available to people of all ages.
  • For those who may feel isolated and alone, they may speak with a trained mental health peer supporter by calling the Provincial CHANNAL Warm Line at 1-855-753-2560 from 9 am to midnight daily (Newfoundland time).
  • If a person is not coping, the Provincial Mental Health Crisis Line is a free, confidential service for anyone. It is available 24 hours a day by calling 1-888-737-4668. The Kids Help Phone is also available at 1-800-668-6868.
  • If you know someone who is struggling with substance use, help is available through the Provincial Mental Health and Addictions Systems Navigator at 1-877-999-7589, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
  • For people who are concerned about their use of opioids or someone else’s, they can call the Provincial Opioid Dependence Treatment line at 1-844-752-3588. This service is available Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and helps individuals navigate the system and connect with opioid addiction support and services.

Access to Food

People may have increased challenges in accessing food during the COVID-19 pandemic. If individuals or groups in your community have questions related to food access:

  • Visit the Food Security page for information.
  • Call 211 to find contact information for food programs and resources.
  • Contact the Community Food Helpline at 709-703-4544 or helpline@foodfirstnl.ca for more support with food access, including food or meal delivery.
  • See the information for Community Food Programs for details on safely distributing food during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Domestic Violence

Individuals in Newfoundland and Labrador experiencing violence in their home can access the Domestic Violence Help Line. This line is text enabled and is available province-wide at 1-888-709-7090.  The Help Line operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

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