News
June 8, 2020
Office Updates and Resources
In an effort to continue to provide the Membership with the most updated information, please find below resource updates with regard to the office, as well as financial and other support systems available to you during this time.OFFICE CLOSURE AND OFFICE STAFF
As the Declaration of Emergency continues in Ontario, which has been extended to June 30, 2020, the office closure will be extended with the intent to return on Thursday, July 2, 2020.
Staff members will continue to work remotely from home and will be responsible for ensuring all email/voice mail inquiries received are addressed. Please keep in mind that due to the recent office staff layoffs there may be a delay in response time and we ask for your continued patience with turnaround time to all inquiries.
Nicole Matthews, Membership Services Coordinator will continue to actively field calls from the NABET 700-M UNIFOR office on Thursdays, between 10am – 2pm at extension 224. If your call is not urgent, please send her an email.
Further, if you are aware of a fellow Member who has not been receiving these important email updates but would like to, please have them contact the office. Thank you for your assistance.
FINANCIAL SUPPORTS
The AFC provides financial and other compassionate support to those who work in the Canadian entertainment industry when an unforeseen emergency, such as this pandemic, causes urgent financial need. The AFC can provide short-term emergency financial assistance for essential household bills and costs that cannot otherwise be paid.
This assistance is based on immediate financial need.
Right now, the AFC is focusing on making sure that people stay stable and basic needs such as rent or mortgage payments, food, utilities, phone bill, car payments, car and home insurance, or medical expenses, are met for the next 2-3 weeks.
If you are in need of financial, or other avenues of support, please contact the AFC. They will connect with you to find out more about your situation and advise on how they can best assist you.
For information on how to apply, please visit the COVID-19 Guide to Emergency Financial Assistance.
Please note that the AFC has temporarily suspended work on their Personal Support and Advocacy Program, their Financial Wellness Program and planning for their forthcoming mental health initiatives. For the time being, they will be 100% focused on delivering urgent financial aid to as many members of our community as possible.
The Government of Canada is taking immediate, significant and decisive action to support Canadians and businesses facing hardship as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.
Learn what financial supports are available in Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan at the Canada.ca website.
A list of Service Canada's Critical Services and Programs are included in the COVID-19 Handout for Individuals.
EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE
Lifeworks
Lifeworks is a confidential and voluntary counselling support service that provides you with the help you need to resolve a wide range of personal, work-related, health and life issues. Lifeworks is provided to only those enrolled in the benefits program.
During this time, we would like to open up access to all Members, whether you are enrolled in the benefits plan or not.
These immediate and confidential EAP services are accessible 24/7/365:
1-877-207-8833 or visit login.lifeworks.com. The website features additional information and tips on coping with trauma.
Members can find the Lifeworks website login in the "Office Updates and Resources" email sent out on June 8, 2020.
COMMUNITY SUPPORT AND SERVICES
Ontario 211 is a free, confidential, province-wide helpline that simplifies finding support and community services for Ontario residents and an online database of services in Ontario. Find services for mental health, housing, legal, emergency, employment and more.
MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORTS
Internet-Based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (iCBT)
Internet-based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (iCBT) programs provide access to a therapist through a digital platform accessible anywhere, within 24 hours.
The Ontario government is expanding virtual mental health services to help thousands of Ontarians experiencing anxiety and depression, including frontline health-care workers, during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Please see the following iCTB options below:
Morneau Shepell’s AbilitiCBT program combines the convenience of virtual access with the same benefits of in-person therapy to provide meaningful mental health support to people struggling with anxiety, depression, insomnia and pain management.
AbilitiCBT also includes a program specifically designed to address anxiety symptoms related to the COVID-19 pandemic, with content tailored to its uniquely challenging aspects: uncertainty, isolation, caring for family and community members, information overload and stress management.
All Ontarians, aged 16 and over, can access AbilitiCBT for free and it can be accessed from home on a smartphone or a tablet.
When you sign up for AbilitiCBT you will be asked to complete a short questionnaire. You will be paired with a registered therapist who will guide you through the AbilitiCBT program.
Guided digital therapy with BEACON is personalized, and you receive support from a registered therapist that's always one-to-one. It's therapy that's completely digital, so it's available when you are, and you never need to worry about keeping appointments. Everything happens on your terms privately and securely.
BEACON provides Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, a clinically proven method that's all about building stronger resiliency through learning new skills to manage your thoughts and feelings.
BEACON digital therapy is now available free of charge to support Ontarians through stress and mental well-being concerns during COVID-19.
CITY OF TORONTO COVID-19: Mental Health Resources
The City of Toronto has partnered with organizations to help connect residents to free telephone, text and online mental health support during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Through this partnership, the City’s mental health support plan responds to the needs of children and youth, seniors, frontline workers, as well as those with intersectional identities, such as Indigenous, Black, persons with disabilities and LGBTQ2S, who are struggling with isolation, stress and anxiety exacerbated by COVID-19 measures.
The following Partners provide free mental health supports to diverse communities across Toronto:
- Across Boundaries
- Caribbean African Canadian Social Services
- Crisis Text Line
- Gerstein Crisis Centre
- Kids Help Phone
- Native Child and Family Services of Toronto
- Ontario Psychological Association
- Toronto Seniors Helpline (WoodGreen)
- Warm Line (Progress Place)
Learn what other financial, mental health and other supports are available during COVID-19 by visiting Ontario.ca.
OFFER YOUR SUPPORT
Interested in helping people affected by COVID-19? Below are a few ways you can volunteer:
You can drop off non-perishable food donations at your nearest fire hall or you can place an online order from your favourite grocery store, and have it delivered directly to their distribution centre at 191 New Toronto Street, Toronto, ON, M8V 2E7.
A list of the Daily Food Bank’s most needed item can be found here.
#thePPEdrive
Hospitals Urgently Need PPE To Fight COVID-19. You can help by:
Provides support during the COVID-19 pandemic by organizing and supplying personal protective equipment (PPE) to our front-line healthcare providers.
Projects include:
- The PPE Drive
- Toronto Sews Program
- Go Fund Me - PPE Purchasing
- Mask Exchange Program
GroceryHero is a free delivery service to help frontline medical professionals focus on fighting COVID-19. Join 3,000+ volunteer shoppers who are making a difference with GroceryHero.
Register with Spark Ontario and with Volunteer Toronto to receive alerts for volunteer opportunities related to COVID-19.
Other ways to help support others close to you during the pandemic can be found here.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the office and leave a voicemail at 416-536-4827, or by email at info@nabet700.com.