{"componentChunkName":"component---src-pages-covid-js","path":"/en/covid/","result":{"data":{"cockpitCovidPage":{"primary":{"value":"covid-19"},"secondary":{"value":"COVID-19 General Information and Resources"},"description":{"value":{"childMarkdownRemark":{"html":"

For the latest updates on COVID-19 in Canada, please visit the Government of Canada’s Website.

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You can also call the Public Health Agency of Canada’s COVID-19 information Line at: 1-833-784-4397 (which offers services in multiple languages).

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For the latest updates on COVID-19 in Ontario, including information about testing and social distancing protocols, please click here.

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Tips and resources for coping with mental health issues and COVID-19 across Canada can be found here.

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Tips and resources for coping with mental health issues and COVID-19 in Ontario can be found here at Ontario 211. You can also call Ontario 211 directly at: 1-888-340-1001.

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If you believe that you have COVID-19 you can call Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000 or call your local public health unit.

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If you are dealing with a medical emergency call 911 immediately.

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There is a lot of information out there about COVID-19. The Gay Men’s Sexual Health Alliance has done a fantastic job of gathering relevant messaging for gay, bisexual, queer and other guys into guys, including the impacts of COVID-19 on mental health and sexual health. Visit the The Sex You Want for more information.

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Goodhead.ca and COVID-19

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The COVID-19 pandemic is having a major effect on our mental health. No doubt, the pandemic has produced enormous levels of uncertainty and stress. Many of us our worried about our health and the health of people near to us. Some of us are grieving the loss of people we love. Some of us have lost our jobs and are deeply concerned about our economic futures. We are also grieving the loss of celebrating major life milestones, opportunities and adventures that we were looking forward to experiencing in the coming year.

\n

Social distancing protocols can make many of us feel isolated and lonely. This is especially important for guys into guys (G2G) since many of us already struggle with loneliness and have estranged relationships with family members and other sources of support. For those G2G not living with their primary romantic/sexual partner(s), social distancing protocols may present a huge challenge to intimacy at a time of great anxiety. For some, the stress posed by confinement can lead to increases in intimate partner violence.

\n

Through all this, it is important to remember that you are not alone. Many people are struggling to cope with all of the events that are unfolding.

\n

While it’s important to follow physical distancing protocols, it’s also important to stay connected. Phone calls, video calls, emails, group chats, however you prefer to stay in touch, make sure that you do. Reach out if you need support and stay close to the people in your life. It is also important to know that there is help out there.

\n

Please connect with any of the health and counselling resources listed throughout this website to talk about your COVID-19 related anxieties and your mental health. Many of the local community agencies we focus on in our resource list now offer services and counselling supports online, which can be a terrific way to connect to a service provider about the emotional and mental health toll of this pandemic.

\n

We developed goodhead.ca before the COVID-19 pandemic began. This site was designed to help G2G learn more about the factors shaping their mental health and to offer some tips on how to navigate the mental health services landscape in Ontario.

\n

While COVID-19 is now the dominant headline and focus of our mental health efforts, it is important to note that the issues that this site originally described have not gone away, and indeed can become amplified in the current pandemic: issues like loneliness, poor body image, financial stress, drinking and drug use, the stress of living as a G2G in a straight-dominated world and shame. Though much has changed in the recent months, the core principles and tips that we have outlined on this site are still relevant today.

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Please use and share this website to care for your own wellbeing as well as other G2G and to learn how to make effective use of available counselling and mental health supports.

","htmlAst":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"element","tagName":"p","properties":{},"children":[{"type":"text","value":"For the latest updates on COVID-19 in Canada, please visit the "},{"type":"element","tagName":"a","properties":{"href":"https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus-disease-covid-19.html","target":"_blank","rel":["noopener","noreferrer"]},"children":[{"type":"text","value":"Government of Canada’s Website"}]},{"type":"text","value":". "}]},{"type":"text","value":"\n"},{"type":"element","tagName":"p","properties":{},"children":[{"type":"text","value":"You can also call the Public Health Agency of Canada’s COVID-19 information Line at: 1-833-784-4397 (which offers services in multiple languages). 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"}]},{"type":"text","value":"\n"},{"type":"element","tagName":"p","properties":{},"children":[{"type":"text","value":"Tips and resources for coping with mental health issues and COVID-19 in Ontario can be found here at "},{"type":"element","tagName":"a","properties":{"href":"https://www.211oncovid19.ca/","target":"_blank","rel":["noopener","noreferrer"]},"children":[{"type":"text","value":"Ontario 211"}]},{"type":"text","value":". You can also call Ontario 211 directly at: 1-888-340-1001."}]},{"type":"text","value":"\n"},{"type":"element","tagName":"p","properties":{},"children":[{"type":"text","value":"If you believe that you have COVID-19 you can call Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000 or call your local public health unit. "}]},{"type":"text","value":"\n"},{"type":"element","tagName":"p","properties":{},"children":[{"type":"element","tagName":"strong","properties":{},"children":[{"type":"text","value":"If you are dealing with a medical emergency call 911 immediately."}]}]},{"type":"text","value":"\n"},{"type":"element","tagName":"p","properties":{},"children":[{"type":"text","value":"There is a lot of information out there about COVID-19. The Gay Men’s Sexual Health Alliance has done a fantastic job of gathering relevant messaging for gay, bisexual, queer and other guys into guys, including the impacts of COVID-19 on mental health and sexual health. Visit the "},{"type":"element","tagName":"a","properties":{"href":"https://thesexyouwant.ca/covid19/","target":"_blank","rel":["noopener","noreferrer"]},"children":[{"type":"text","value":"The Sex You Want"}]},{"type":"text","value":" for more information."}]},{"type":"text","value":"\n"},{"type":"element","tagName":"h2","properties":{},"children":[{"type":"text","value":"Goodhead.ca and COVID-19"}]},{"type":"text","value":"\n"},{"type":"element","tagName":"p","properties":{},"children":[{"type":"element","tagName":"strong","properties":{},"children":[{"type":"text","value":"The COVID-19 pandemic is having a major effect on our mental health."}]},{"type":"text","value":" No doubt, the pandemic has produced enormous levels of uncertainty and stress. Many of us our worried about our health and the health of people near to us. Some of us are grieving the loss of people we love. Some of us have lost our jobs and are deeply concerned about our economic futures. We are also grieving the loss of celebrating major life milestones, opportunities and adventures that we were looking forward to experiencing in the coming year. "}]},{"type":"text","value":"\n"},{"type":"element","tagName":"p","properties":{},"children":[{"type":"text","value":"Social distancing protocols can make many of us feel isolated and lonely. This is especially important for guys into guys (G2G) since many of us already struggle with loneliness and have estranged relationships with family members and other sources of support. For those G2G not living with their primary romantic/sexual partner(s), social distancing protocols may present a huge challenge to intimacy at a time of great anxiety. For some, the stress posed by confinement can lead to increases in intimate partner violence. "}]},{"type":"text","value":"\n"},{"type":"element","tagName":"p","properties":{},"children":[{"type":"element","tagName":"strong","properties":{},"children":[{"type":"text","value":"Through all this, it is important to remember that you are not alone. Many people are struggling to cope with all of the events that are unfolding."}]}]},{"type":"text","value":"\n"},{"type":"element","tagName":"p","properties":{},"children":[{"type":"text","value":"While it’s important to follow physical distancing protocols, "},{"type":"element","tagName":"strong","properties":{},"children":[{"type":"text","value":"it’s also important to stay connected"}]},{"type":"text","value":". Phone calls, video calls, emails, group chats, however you prefer to stay in touch, make sure that you do. Reach out if you need support and stay close to the people in your life. It is also important to know that there is help out there. "}]},{"type":"text","value":"\n"},{"type":"element","tagName":"p","properties":{},"children":[{"type":"text","value":"Please connect with any of the health and counselling resources listed throughout this website to talk about your COVID-19 related anxieties and your mental health. Many of the local community agencies we focus on in our resource list now offer services and counselling supports online, which can be a terrific way to connect to a service provider about the emotional and mental health toll of this pandemic. "}]},{"type":"text","value":"\n"},{"type":"element","tagName":"p","properties":{},"children":[{"type":"text","value":"We developed goodhead.ca before the COVID-19 pandemic began. This site was designed to help G2G learn more about the factors shaping their mental health and to offer some tips on how to navigate the mental health services landscape in Ontario. 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