Holiday blues. Holiday sadness. Holiday depression. Feelings like this can be confusing during what we think are supposed to be happy times. But they may not feel that way for you and other people.
In addition to sadness, the holidays often create painful memories, loneliness, and anxiety for people as they try to make the holidays live up to impossible expectations. The necessary measures to combat the COVID-19 coronavirus during this pandemic and the fear of infection are making this year even more difficult.
But what you need to know is that there are other people struggling like you and that there are great ways to cope.
Be honest about how you’re feeling this holiday season, with yourself and others, even if those feelings of sadness, depression, or anxiety seem at odds with how the holidays are “supposed to be.”
If any of these describe how you are feeling, there are things you can try at home explored below. If they seem difficult or you worry it could be worse, please call our intake coordinators at Canvas Health, who would love to talk with you via video appointment. Message or call us here.
Before talking to a counselor, things to remember or try include:
Sometimes these coping strategies may feel like they’re not enough or that your struggles with sadness or anxiety are too much. In that case, reach out to Canvas Health so you can set up a telehealth appointment with one of our counselors. We help a lot of clients every day who feel just like you. Asking for help takes two minutes right here.
Holiday blues. Holiday sadness. Holiday depression. Feelings like this can be confusing during what we think are supposed to be happy times.
This year has been unlike any other – our mental and physical strength have been tested again and again by the pandemic, political and civil unrest, and the overall upending of our daily lives.
We are full of hope as we reflect on the resilience of our Canvas Health community. Our clinicians adapted in flexible and creative ways we never would have dreamed of just a year ago. Our clients continued the hard work of healing in a more uncertain world. And you, our supporters, have been a generous light when times were at their darkest.
As we begin to emerge from the pandemic over the coming months, we believe that the need for mental health and substance use care will continue to increase. We feel honored to be in a place to be able to provide this essential care – and we can’t do it without the help of our generous supporters.
Please consider a tax-deductible gift to Canvas Health today.
This year has been unlike any other. We are full of hope as we reflect on the resilience of our Canvas Health community. Check out our video recap of 2020!
Canvas Health recently welcomed Dr. Oyebode Taiwo to the Canvas Health Board of Directors in November 2020. He is responsible for the development of 3M’s global health strategy, as well as the leadership and management of the medical organization.
Dr. Taiwo serves on the board of directors of American Cancer Society (ACS) and Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement (ICSI).
Prior to joining 3M, Dr. Taiwo was Associate Professor of Medicine and Director of the Occupational & Environmental Medicine Fellowship Training Program at Yale University School of Medicine. He also served as Corporate Medical Advisor to Alcoa Inc. in a unique academic/private partnership for 17 years.
Dr. Taiwo received his medical degree from College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Nigeria and a master’s degree in public health from the University of Alabama, He completed residency training in Internal Medicine at Meharry Medical College, Nashville, Tennessee and fellowship training in Occupational & Environmental Medicine at Yale University School of Medicine.
Bode is married with 3 daughters. He enjoys traveling and playing electric bass guitar.
Canvas Health recently welcomed Dr. Oyebode Taiwo to the Canvas Health Board of Directors in November 2020. He is responsible for the development of…
When Canvas Health began moving clinicians home as a safety precaution, Anoka County Mobile Crisis Practitioner Kylie Otte knew it would be challenging to try to find somewhere that would be conducive to working for her, and that would feel calming for her clients when they called in with a crisis.
“I chose the laundry room because I have roommates and no one WANTS to come into the laundry room unless they HAVE to, so I was able to have a private, quiet place to focus.”
Kylie set up a desk and chair, hung a pretty background, and was ready to see clients virtually, offering assessments, interventions, and stabilization services as well as safety planning and short-term therapeutic services to assist in recovery from a crisis.
Kylie and her colleagues work very hard to help people who are experiencing behavioral, emotional or psychiatric situations needing a timely intervention to reduce the possibility of physical harm.
Canvas Health operates mental health crisis services lines for seven counties across the metro.
All counties in Minnesota have mobile crisis phone lines. To find your local crisis number, click here.
After moving clinicians home, Mobile Crisis Practitioner Kylie Otte knew it would be challenging to find somewhere that would feel calming for her clients when they called in.
Canvas Health’s clinicians are providing therapy to individuals of all ages to help with the effects of isolation, increased anxiety and depression, trauma, and other struggles associated with the COVID-19 lockdowns. Canvas Health’s substance abuse counselors are helping adolescents and adults overcome and manage alcoholism, addictions, drug use, and other substance use issues. Individuals can make appointments to see therapists and substance use counselors via telehealth.
In immediate mental health crises, Canvas Health’s mobile crisis response teams respond with assessment, intervention and stabilization services provided primarily via telehealth, and in-person if necessary.
Mobile crisis response staff will also provide necessary safety planning and short-term therapeutic services to assist in recovery from a crisis.
Mobile crisis response phone numbers for all Tribal Nations and Minnesota Counties.
Canvas Health encourages Twin Cities residents to reach out to these community resources for assistance with food insecurity, benefit supports, COVID talking strategies for kids, and stress and anxiety coping mechanisms.
For a downloadable list of these resources, click here.
Canvas Health’s clinicians are providing therapy to individuals of all ages to help with the effects of struggles associated with the COVID-19 lockdowns.
It may start with pie—apple, peach, pumpkin—but it doesn’t end there. Canvas Health’s Prevention, Intervention, and Education (PIE) program at some Washington County schools uses day-time treats to give kids an excuse to try it out in the in-school intervention, but they stay for the relationships and the safe space.
Championed by substance use division manager, Cathy Harvieux, and led by adolescent counselors like Michael Mader, PIE classes are 1.5 hour sessions in schools that cover a range of topics dealing with substance use and addiction. During that time each week, adolescent are led through a curriculum based on:
The classes are meant to educate adolescents about substance use and addiction, like vaping, but also how to recognize their choices and agency to shape the outcomes of their life. Adolescents in PIE often come to the class because their own substance use or the substance use of their family members has weighed on them.
PIE aims to succeed where other primary prevention programs, like DARE, fail by focusing on the building relationships between Canvas Health counselors and adolescents and between the adolescents attending PIE classes. It is through that trust and belonging in a positive environment that we believe enables adolescents to not only believe in themselves, but also in their power to identify when they need help and have trusted adults in their lives who can.
Work this like this is made possible by positive relationships with area schools who trust Canvas Health to step in and seize opportunities to help students who otherwise would have needs go unmet.
It may start with pie, but that’s only just the beginning.
Learn more about Canvas Health’s substance use / chemical health programs for adolescents.
If you are concerned about a loved one’s drinking or drug use, contact Canvas Health for a chemical health assessment at (651) 777-5222.
Canvas Health’s Prevention, Intervention, and Education (PIE) program at some Washington County schools, covers a range of topics dealing with substance use and addiction.
Cathleen Harvieux, Canvas Health’s substance use manager, recently spoke with The Phoenix Spirit Recovery Newspaper about the ways in which Canvas Health has adapted during the pandemic to helping people who struggle with addiction. In the article, Harvieux explained how Canvas Health transitioned quickly to the virtual treatment model and has worked very hard to make treatment accessible for everyone. Canvas Health is currently offering telehealth options for adults, adolescents, and families concerned about drug and alcohol use.
Canvas Health also is offering treatment in its jail programs in Chisago County and Washington County. Jail patients meet with the provider in a group setting while wearing masks. Canvas Health also provides laptop rental to clients who need one in order to participate in virtual meetings. If an inmate has to be quarantined after leaving the jail for, say, a court appearance, the inmate is provided with an iPad so they can join the Zoom meeting during the quarantine period.
All members of Canvas Health’s chemical health staff are licensed alcohol and drug counselors, and are available to evaluate and help manage substance use problems via telehealth, and using social distancing in some cases. Canvas Health’s caring licensed alcohol and drug counselors, chemical health assessors, and psychotherapists, work together to get clients and families the help they need. Staff performs Rule 25 assessments, a type of assessment mandated by the state of Minnesota, and use them to develop care management plans for adults, adolescents, and their families. Our staff also worked with clients who have co-occurring disorders in which a person is struggling with mental health and substance use issues.
In the The Phoenix Spirit article, Harvieux acknowledged the challenges of building a sober support system during the pandemic. She said her staff encourages clients to get together using social distancing to support one another. Canvas Health also has a peer recovery support specialist on its team who contacts individuals to meet them at socially distant 12-Step meetings with their families, helping them to build that sober community support as well.
Learn more about Canvas Health’s substance use program and make an appointment for a chemical health assessment or chemical health treatment.
To read the full Phoenix Spirit article click here.
Cathleen Harvieux recently spoke with The Phoenix Spirit about the ways in which Canvas Health has adapted during the pandemic to helping people who struggle with addiction.
It was the conversation I was dreading and had been rehearsing for days. “Mom, I can’t wait to play Pokemon with my friend at recess.” What he didn’t yet know was that his friend was assigned to a different hybrid learning schedule from him. When I had to break the news to him, he was understandably crushed, and I was too. Lots of tears ensued and more questions were asked. I know we are not alone in these tough conversations as we face an unprecedented school year ahead. When parenting feels overwhelming, sometimes it’s helpful to go back to the basics. Here are some tips:
Dr. Dan Siegel termed the phrase “Name it to tame it” in one of his bestselling books, “The Whole Brain Child”. This is a term that has stuck with me throughout all of the parenting challenges myself and my clients have faced. When our children are having meltdowns and big emotions, the best thing we can do is to name their feelings and validate that they are real for them. We don’t have to be the problem-fixers (as much as we wish we could be), which takes a big load off our shoulders. By simply stating, “I hear you, I know this is hard/scary/frustrating, ” while offering comfort and staying present with our children, we will help them to calm and they will be more receptive to moving forward. Some children have difficulty naming their feelings and may instead act out their feelings through arguments, aggression, tantrums, defiance, and other challenging behaviors. In those instances if we can name what we think they may be feeling, it helps them to learn the skill to later name it on their own. Phrases such as “I’m wondering if this is really about being scared to go back to school rather than you not finding your favorite pair of socks?”. Sometimes they will correct us, and sometimes the light bulb will go off and they will reach their “aha moment”. Staying with them, being present, and naming the emotions will go far in taming the challenging moments.
Does the end of the Summer break have you feeling like you’re going a little nutty? Children often feel that way too. We thrive on a healthy dose of routines, predictability, and schedules; when we know what to expect and there are few surprises, our minds and bodies feel more relaxed. Whether your child is doing distance learning, in-school learning, or a combination, helping to create a routine will feel better for everyone. Plan for a consistent bed time, wake up time, and meal/snack times. Determine what works best for the morning hours and afternoon hours, and have a designated area as free from distractions as possible. Children often thrive on a calendar and visual schedule that they can see, along with timers; make it a fun family project by having them help create and decorate their daily schedule (and bonus, it help you get their buy-in!). Scheduling in routine breaks throughout the day will be important for both you and your child to handle the stress that comes your way.
Do you notice your child reaching for their phone throughout their work time? We all get distracted easily from time to time and children have even more difficulty in managing those impulses. Establishing expectations and consequences from the beginning around screen time and cell phone use will eventually help to decrease limit-testing and decreased motivation as a result of distractions.
Speaking of electronic time, use it to your advantage! If your child is motivated by screen time, you can use it as a reward for completing a task and other positive behaviors. By making clear guidelines such as “if you can show me you’re working hard for the next 20 minutes, you can have 10 minutes of screen time when the timer goes off”. Other children may be more motivated by games, stickers, or free play, and that is great too.
We were not meant to go on this road alone. Parenting a child is hard, even more so when our worlds’ have been turned upside down with this pandemic. Be kind to yourself, and allow yourself the grace to make mistakes. Gather your tribe of supports, whether that be family, neighbors, friends, or school staff. If you have concerns that your child is struggling with the adjustment of a new school year, do not be afraid to ask for help. The earlier we can help support a family or child that is struggling, the easier it often is to get them feeling better.
-Mindy Johnson, LICSW, Canvas Health School-based Mental Health Therapist
If you are looking for additional help for your child, family, or for yourself, please contact Canvas Health to make an appointment at (651) 777-5222.
When parenting feels overwhelming, sometimes it’s helpful to go back to the basics: Name those big feelings, create a predictable routine.
Canvas Health’s staff is grieving the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Our city’s cries of pain, particularly from communities of color and Native peoples, have risen louder throughout this past week, demanding that we listen and examine how we can do better as an agency, as clinicians, and as humans.
As a community mental health agency, we are deeply committed to helping people attend to the wounds of anxiety, depression, grief, and trauma. We see in the wake of George Floyd’s death, as we have before, that grief and trauma are often inflicted through great social and racial inequities. That must change.
Canvas Health works to honor each individual’s life experience. But we must do better. We must do better as we work against systemic racism. We will act within our mission of hope, healing, and recovery – for every individual.
Canvas Health’s staff is grieving the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Our city’s cries of pain, particularly from communities of color and Native peoples, have risen louder.
Ryan, a Canvas Health Telehealth Client, tells his story of how he feels grateful to do his therapy via telehealth:
I am certainly appreciative of the opportunity to employ telehealth video visits during this time of the COVID-19 crisis.
Without that opportunity, I would not easily be able to reach out to my therapist to keep my weekly visits going forward. I have some underlying health issues that have prevented me from being able to go directly to the mental health clinic during the pandemic and undoubtedly, this would have halted my chance to meet and talk with my therapist completely. The telehealth application has allowed a seamless transition to being able to do my weekly check-ins and talk therapy from the comfort of my home during this crucial time of crisis. Without it, my mental health needs would have been left in a not so positive state. I am still able to maintain an acceptable level of confidentiality and privacy with using the app as well and it has worked great over the past 3 weeks now. It is so easy I may continue to employ it even after the crisis is eased as life allows. Thank you for allowing patient clients to use this medium for a very viable option to live face-to-face visits.
Learn more about Canvas Health’s mental health and substance use telehealth appointments.
Ryan, a Canvas Health client, tells his story of how he feels grateful to do his therapy via telehealth.
I wasn’t living in a positive state of mind when I began my substance use treatment at Canvas Health. However, about two hours into my first group I decided to change my thought and embrace the group and be as open as I could be. From then on I started to get to know the group, get to know the staff at Canvas Health, and truly begin my outpatient treatment as an individual who wanted to gain the knowledge and tools to take ownership back into my life.
Bob Jones has been a great counselor and was always very helpful, honest, and allowed my different views on some of the curriculum to be heard. I never felt that I was being pushed or forced to think the way Bob did. Instead, I felt that I was always the boss of what I was going to get out of my treatment, and went every week to my group to learn and help others see that a sober life can still be fun and worth living for. I know for a fact that my biggest lesson I have gotten out of treatment has been to love myself and have confidence in all areas of my life, something I had never done before.
From the front desk staff, Lindsay, Bob, and to all the other counselors I have met along the way I can say without a doubt in my mind that they truly care for each and every one who walks through those doors. I would highly recommend Canvas as a place to seek help if needed, or assistance in their journey to recovery. –Canvas Health Client
If you or someone you care about is struggling with drugs or alcohol, learn about Canvas Health’s substance abuse treatment (available by telehealth) here, or by calling (651) 777-5222.
I wasn’t living in a positive state of mind when I began my substance use treatment at Canvas Health. However, about two hours into my first group I decided to change my thought and embrace the group and be as open as I could be. From then on I started to get to know the […]
Canvas Heath’s Early Childhood Assistance Program (ECBA) has immediate openings for children ages 0-5.
If your toddler or preschooler is struggling with behaviors like increased tantrums, regression in development, difficulty sleeping, increased anxiety, and/or frequent biting or hitting, we can help.
“A young child’s response to the COVID-19 environment and a change in routine may manifest in different ways than an older child or adult, but that doesn’t make them any less concerning or serious,” said Katherine Zacharias, ECBA supervisor. “Early childhood mental health services can help address these behaviors through work directly with children and parents.”
To have a conversation about your concerns, or to make an appointment, call Chantel Gramenz at (651) 251-5191
Canvas Heath’s Early Childhood Assistance Program (ECBA) has immediate openings for children ages 0-5. If your toddler or preschooler is struggling with behaviors like increased tantrums, regression in development, difficulty sleeping, increased anxiety, and/or frequent biting or hitting, we can help. “A young child’s response to the COVID-19 environment and a change in routine may […]
As Minnesota moves forward with social distancing, it is imperative that mental health providers have the flexibility to continue safely providing mental health services including telemedicine.
This legislation allows the commissioner of human services the authority to temporarily waive or modify regulatory, administrative, and program requirements in order to preserve access to crucial health services during Governor Walz’s declaration of emergency for COVID-19.
The most important change for the mental health community would be additional flexibility to provide services via telemedicine instead of face-to-face contact, as well as temporarily waiving the Medical Assistance coverage limit of three telemedicine visits per week. Also included is flexibility in the timelines for processing MA renewals, where face-to-face contact was required, people working across programs, number of absent days from a program and more.
My name is ____________ and I am a supporter of Canvas Health, a community mental health provider, and your constituent from ________. I’m contacting you today to urge the legislature to reconvene immediately and pass SF 4200. (Briefly share your story about mental illness and why access is so important). Mental health providers will need more flexibility to continue offering needed mental health services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including the expanded use of telemedicine.
(Due to office closures, we recommend that you email and not call your legislator)
While it is important for everyone to contact your legislators in the House and Senate, there are a few members in the House that need to hear from Canvas Health supporters about this issue:
It is also important that every Canvas Health supporter contact Speaker Hortman and Majority Leader Gazelka to ask that the legislature reconvene this week to pass SF 4200.
Thank you for your advocacy! Mental health providers need more flexibility to support people with mental illnesses during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Find out who represents you here.
Source: NAMI-Minnesota
Mental health providers need more flexibility to support people with mental illnesses during COVID-19. Email your legislators and ask that they support SF 4200.
Canvas Health wants to be here for you in every way possible during this time of crisis. Please click on the link below for a list of resources that may help during this time. We’ll keep adding to it as the days progress and new information becomes available.
COVID-19 Resources
COVID-19 resources, mental health, substance use, canvas health
Canvas Health is committed to you and your well-being, especially as the COVID-19 illness is becoming more prevalent in our community.
As an Essential Community Provider in the State of Minnesota, Canvas Health clinics continue to be open and providing services to individuals in our clinics and in the community. Our clinic- and community-based clinicians are following CDC recommendations for cleaning as well as following recommended precautions regarding coming to work.
You may want to consider online therapy sessions using our telehealth system, which allows clients to meet with their providers through an app and the camera on their computer, tablet, or smartphone. Please let us know if you would like additional information on telehealth. At this time, group therapy sessions will continue to be held, using appropriate social distancing measures.
Please do not attend your in-person appointment or meet with your community-based provider if you are having symptoms such as fever, cough, or shortness of breath, have traveled to a high-risk area for transmission of COVID-19 in the last 14 days, or if you have been in close contact with someone confirmed positive or currently being evaluated for COVID-19.
We understand that this is a challenging time for everyone, and may be especially concerning for those struggling with mental illness, substance use issues, abuse and crisis situations. Please reach out to Canvas Health for an appointment if you are experiencing increased anxiety, depression, substance use concerns or other issues.
We encourage those in crisis to use the following 24/7 emergency phone numbers below:
Lastly, if you are able, please consider donating to Canvas Health so we can continue to provide life-saving services in this time of crisis.
We will continue to provide updates regarding our services as we have them visit CanvasHealth.org and our Facebook page for the latest news. Please call us at (651) 777-5222 or email intake@canvashealth.org for scheduling questions.
We’re here to help you through this unprecedented time,
Matt Eastwood, CEO, and Canvas Health Staff
Canvas Health is committed to you and your well-being, especially as the COVID-19 illness is becoming more prevalent in our community. As an Essential Community Provider in the State of Minnesota, Canvas Health clinics continue to be open and providing services to individuals in our clinics and in the community. Our clinic- and community-based clinicians are following CDC recommendations for cleaning as well as following recommended precautions regarding […]
