Free mental health program in Manitoba now widely available

The BounceBack program is now available with increased access to help people facing stress, worry, and anxiety during the pandemic. 

The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) has created this program to help adults and youth 15-years-old and over to help manage their stress, low mood, depression, worry, and anxiety. 

Today they announced the expansion of the program because of a donation from Bell Let's Talk. The program was already available for select regions. 

"Bell Let’s Talk is proud to help CMHA Manitoba and Winnipeg offer the BounceBack program to more Manitobans as the demand for virtual mental health supports increases as a result of COVID-19," says Mary Deacon, Chair of Bell Let’s Talk in the media release.

In the announcement, the CMHA says, "BounceBack has been shown to reduce depressive and anxiety symptoms by 50% at program completion."

Participants can customize their own program through telephone coaching and choosing from a variety of skill-building workbooks. People taking part in the program will "learn to overcome their symptoms and improve their mental well-being now and in future" according to the release.

The free program will be available in French and English, with coaches who are extensively trained and overseen by clinical psychologists.

People interested must have a primary care provider. They can then be referred by their care provider or participants can self-refer.

"COVID-19 is here now, but the mental health impacts will last long after the pandemic is over. We know from experience that BounceBack can unlock the door to new skills and a better quality of life," said Marion Cooper, Executive Director of CMHA Manitoba and Winnipeg.

The CMHA has branches and offices in Thompson, Swan River, The Pas, Dauphin, Portage la Prairie, Selkirk and Winnipeg.