MENTAL HEALTH INITIATIVES

Reconnect – Stay Connected

CONNECTED is our initiative for Mental Health and wellness in partnership with Shoot for a Cure and Canadian/American Spinal Research Organization.

This global pandemic of COVID-19 has essentially changed everything and it’s safe to say we are in uncertain times. That is why it’s more important than ever to cultivate our own mental fortitude. If we are able to do so, we will not only  get through these challenging times, but also will be able to come out on the other side of this pandemic stronger than ever.  Therefore, it’s a great time to share our tips for coping with the negative impact of this crisis. We are here to keep you stay positive and strong!     Connected Mental Health

Our goal is to ensure that individuals in need are given access to the proper care for their unique mental health and wellness needs.

“One in four people in the world will be affected by mental or neurological disorders at some point in their lives.”

We know this issue is crucial to address and we need to do more. We know that community and social connection is among the best methods for helping individuals who suffer from mental illness and other psychological difficulties in their lives.

Our Safe4Sports prevention program is comprised of seminars that will incorporate Mental Health Training in Sports. We currently prepare athletes physically and now must elevate our program to include Mental Training. One of the hurdles an athlete (young or mature) can experience is the ability to deal with the pressure in today’s society to be the best.  Many individuals have expressed post injury stress and anxiety. Our findings have shown that these neurological issues can lead to severe depression, addiction and in many cases, suicide.

 

Navigating concussion recovery can be an extremely challenging and isolating experience. As many as 20% of individuals who suffer a concussion will go on to experience persistent and potentially disabling symptoms lasting months and in some cases years – impairing performance at work, school, preventing return to sport, and ultimately reducing quality of life.

What’s more, 1 in 5 individuals may experience mental health symptoms that persist for months post-concussion. Challenges with depression, post-traumatic stress, anxiety, and substance abuse are not uncommon and can pose a significant barrier to recovery when left untreated. These challenges may be even more pronounced in light of the COVID-19 pandemic as concussion suffers are left shuttered in their homes without access to their usual rehabilitation supports – unsure who to reach out to for help.

For this reason, Shift Concussion has gone virtual, offering video concussion assessment and rehabilitation via telehealth!

Using a secure and private platform, individuals struggling with concussion symptoms can be matched with a highly trained rehabilitation professional (eg. Physiotherapist, Occupational Therapist) from the Shift Concussion Team to help evaluate the injury and provide an individualized treatment plan – as well as make appropriate referrals when additional assessments or therapies may be required.

Virtual visits allow Shift Providers to monitor concussion recovery progress, provide education, evaluate and troubleshoot symptoms, provide self-care strategies to reduce those symptoms, prescribe and progress home exercise plans, and ultimately support a positive pathway to recovery.

If you require help from a Shift Concussion Provider, please don’t hesitate to reach out:

 1-855-223-1002

concussion@theshift.ca