By Dr. Christine Sloss and Laura Davidson We are aware that during this time of social distancing and being at home, children and adolescents are bored and isolated, and so are spending much more time than usual on technology. Technology is an important part of their culture and generation, and has been a tremendous aid […]
COVID-19
Love in the Time of COVID-19
By Gibran Rodriguez de los Reyes Now that we are all several weeks into social distancing practices and mostly following stay at home recommendations, many couples residing together may admittedly be struggling with increasing irritability and tension towards one another. These two factors may be correlated or promote inevitable arguments. These unprecedented times that we are […]
Grief and Adolescents during COVID-19: Their Loss is Real Too.
By Dr. Michele Locke In just a blink, the world changed. At the heart of this crisis, we are focused on protecting the most vulnerable. Physically, it is clear who meets that criteria. The news continues to highlight that MOST younger people do not have serious symptoms if infected with COVID-19 and that we need […]
Managing ‘Pandemic Fatigue’
By Beheshta Taheri After several weeks of this global pandemic, you might find yourself particularly worn down, both physically and emotionally. If so, you are not alone. As evidenced by a new term circulating amidst mental health care professionals to describe this experience, namely “pandemic fatigue”. It can include feelings of anxiety, being “fed up” […]
Illness Anxiety and Contamination OCD during COVID-19
By Dr. Christine Klinkhoff The ongoing worldwide outbreak of COVID-19 is having a profound impact on people’s sense of safety and wellbeing. The uncertainty of our current situation is leaving many of us feeling anxious and looking for answers that simply do not exist yet. For some individuals with OCD (contamination type)* and illness anxiety, […]
Dietitian Tips for Staying Safe and Eating Well During a Pandemic
By Michelle Lau, Dietetic InternReviewed by Alida Iacobellis MHSc RD There’s no doubt you’ve already started to see the impact of COVID-19 on your day-to-day routines. Mundane activities of daily living such as grocery shopping and mealtimes all of a sudden require more thought and planning than normal. During these uncertain times when emotions are […]
Tips for Parents whose Children and Adolescents are not in School due to Social Distancing
As March break comes to an end, and the schools remain closed for at least another two weeks, I am sure that most of you are nervous about what is going to happen with your children and adolescents, particularly with no help and the closure of most institutions and activities. Some of you as parents […]
Coronavirus: Managing Fears, Filtering Fake News, and Fighting Stigma
Face mask shortages, empty grocery aisles, and plunging stock markets are just a few examples of the impact of the widespread panic about the coronavirus (COVID-19). At times like this, it is helpful to take the time to understand how such fears are developed and maintained, or even exacerbated. Factors Contributing to Fears Our brains […]