The federal government has launched its new PocketWell app to provide Canadians with access to mental health and substance use resources directly from their phones.
PocketWell is a free companion app to the Wellness Together Canada (WTC) online portal, launched in 2020 in response to the widespread stress, anxiety and depression inflicting Canadians as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The WTC platform:
- provides instant access to counselling from mental health professionals and crisis responders
- connects users with trained peer support workers and peer support communities
- serves as a hub for many self-guided tools to address mental health and substance use issues
It was developed by a consortium of organizations including Stepped Care Solutions, Kids Help Phone, Homewood Health and Greenspace Health, with funding from the Government of Canada.
PocketWell gives Canadians access to new resources including a self-assessment tool and tracker monitoring mood and mental wellness. Additionally, the app offers many of the same features as the WTC portal so users can easily get the same help and support directly from their smartphones.
PocketWell is available to download for free on iOS and Android. You can also visit the WTC online portal here.
