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Contributors
This mental health resource was developed and last reviewed in March 2026 with expert advice from:
Dr. Joshua A. Rash, PhD, RPsych (NL), R.D.Psych. (SK)
Memorial University of Newfoundland; University of Saskatchewan
Marg Smit-Vandezande, MSW, RSW
Arthritis Rehabilitation and Education Program, Arthritis Society Canada
Nikolas Harris, MSW, RSW
Senior Manager, Mission, Arthritis Society Canada
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- Mental Illness and Addiction: Facts and Statistics. Canadian Mental Health Association. https://www.camh.ca/en/driving-change/the-crisis-is-real/mental-health-statistics.
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- Chen C, Bailey C, Baikie G, Dalziel K, Hua X. Parents of children with disability: Mental health outcomes and utilization of mental health services. Disabil Health J. 2023;16(4):101506. doi:10.1016/j.dhjo.2023.101506. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S193665742300078X.
- Caring in Canada: Survey insights from caregivers and care providers across Canada. Canadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence. https://canadiancaregiving.org/caring-in-canada/.
- Social Isolation and Loneliness – Older Adults and Care Partners. Canadian Coalition for Seniors’ Mental Health. https://ccsmh.ca/areas-of-focus/social-isolation-and-loneliness/older-adults-and-care-partners/.
- Sherman DW, Alfano AR, Alfonso F, et al. A Systematic Review of the Relationship between Social Isolation and Physical Health in Adults. Healthcare (Basel). 2024;12(11):1135. Published 2024 Jun 1. doi:10.3390/healthcare12111135. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11171827/.
- Morina N, Kip A, Hoppen TH, Priebe S, Meyer T. Potential impact of physical distancing on physical and mental health: a rapid narrative umbrella review of meta-analyses on the link between social connection and health. BMJ Open. 2021;11(3):e042335. Published 2021 Mar 18. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2020-042335. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7978290/.
- Office of the Surgeon General (OSG). Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation: The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on the Healing Effects of Social Connection and Community. Washington (DC): US Department of Health and Human Services; 2023. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK595227/pdf/Bookshelf_NBK595227.pdf.
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- Coping with a diagnosis of chronic illness. American Psychological Association. August 1, 2013. https://www.apa.org/topics/chronic-illness/coping-diagnosis.
- Stress. Canadian Mental Health Association. February 28, 2016. https://cmha.ca/brochure/stress/.
- Stress. Mental Health Foundation. https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/explore-mental-health/a-z-topics/stress.
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- Anxiety Disorders. Canadian Mental Health Association. February 28, 2016. https://cmha.ca/brochure/anxiety-disorders/
- Depression and Bipolar Disorder. Canadian Mental Health Association. December 18, 2015. https://cmha.ca/brochure/depression-and-bipolar-disorder/.
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- Exercising to relax. Harvard Health Publishing. July 7, 2020. https://www.health.harvard.edu/healthy-aging-and-longevity/exercising-to-relax.
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- Positive Self-Talk. ConnexOntario. April 4, 2022. https://connexontario.ca/blog/positive-self-talk/.
- Self-Talk & the Impact it has on our Lives. Trauma Research UK. https://traumaresearchuk.org/self-talk-and-the-impact-it-has-on-our-life/.
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- Building your medicine bundle: Understanding your mental health journey. Indspire and the Margaret and Wallace McCain Centre for Child, Youth & Family Mental Health at the Centre for Addictions and Mental Health. 2021. https://indspire.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Indspire_CAMH_TipSheet-1.pdf.
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- Land-Based Teachings: Indigenous Approaches to Healing. British Columbia Ministry of Health. https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/health/accessing-health-care/assisted-living-registry/land_based_teachings_and_indigenous_approaches_to_healing.pdf.
- Culturally-Based Practices. Mental Health America. https://mhanational.org/resources/culturally-based-practices/
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- Arthritis and Mental Health. JointHealth™ Education. https://education.jointhealth.org/jointhealth-education/course-6-mental-health/.
- Antidepressant Medications. Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. https://www.camh.ca/en/health-info/mental-illness-and-addiction-index/antidepressant-medications.
- Anti-anxiety Medications (Benzodiazepines). Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. https://www.camh.ca/en/health-info/mental-illness-and-addiction-index/anti-anxiety-medications-benzodiazepines.
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- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. https://www.camh.ca/en/health-info/mental-illness-and-addiction-index/cognitive-behavioural-therapy.
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Pain Management. HealthLinkBC. October 20, 2022. https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/healthwise/cognitive-behavioral-therapy-pain-management.
- Psychotherapy. Canadian Mental Health Association. December 5, 2018. https://cmha.ca/brochure/psychotherapy/.


