For lack of a better term, you could call them Mental Health Librarians. People who have dedicated their resources during the COVID-19 pandemic to getting people who are struggling with their mental health the information that they need when they need it. Maybe it's anxiety. Maybe it's depression, loneliness or a feeling of isolation.

Similar programs have already sprung up for the various, and often complex financial support programs that have become a lifeline for so many in the last month. Dedicated individuals who will look at a person's unique situation and determine, in plain language, what supports they qualify for and how to access it.

The support for people's mental health is no different during these trying times. The options for help are numerous and often it's hard to even know where to begin, leading to its own ironic stress.

Jacqui Williams is the Executive Director of the Swift Current branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association.

She says that when the CMHA was looking for a way to help, the Wellness Support Response Line seemed like a way to fill a need that didn't seem to be being met.

"The purpose of the line is for support. We are not a crisis line. We're also not a counselling line. However, we can provide a listening ear. We can assist people in finding appropriate resources. We can help people find ways to promote their wellness. We're just there. We're just one more support in the community to help people get through this time."

Initially, the response line was a national endeavour. While the proposal didn't move forward on the national stage, CMHA Saskatchewan saw the importance of it. They recognized that people's need for mental health support would follow the same curve that the virus itself followed in the province and took the proposal to their local counterparts where it met with support from every CMHA community branch.

The key to it, Williams explains, was the decision from the beginning to set up a number of local phone numbers for access rather than one universal provincial phone number.

"Staff are there to just answer questions, or help with assistance in any way. And it is not counselling but because we're connected to our community, we can help you navigate the services within the community."

Not only would this help with welcoming people to use the service; feeling more comfortable calling local than a possibly faceless 1-800 number. But also because access and local knowledge vary from community to community.

"So if we have a young person who contacts us, we know the Centre exists (for example) here in Swift Current. But Regina might not be aware of that. And it's the same for Weyburn, knows Weyburn's resources better than I would know Weyburn's resources."

It's an important distinction, and in Williams's opinion, an advantage to the service that she is excited about, saying that she and her staff feel that their mandate of focusing on mental wellbeing dovetails well with the current pandemic and the effects of social isolation.

She says that the community at large is encountering issues that it's never had to encounter before and most likely struggling to find a way to manage it.

"Our typical stress relievers, like going to the gym, taking your kids to the playground, bringing your kids to school and being able to go to work and be with your co-workers. Those outlets are not there right now for people."

Knowing where to even begin finding support can be a challenge, and a stressor, in itself. Which is where Williams believes that the CMHA can have a purpose during this time.

Three staff members have been trained in Swift Current and armed with the knowledge of the local support structures available as well as connections with provincial supports.

If you or anyone you know is struggling with your mental health, and are needing a roadmap of sorts as to what options are available to you, you can reach out at 306-741-5148.