Health & Wellness

St. Mark’s Health and Wellness Ministry team loves their congregation by working to educate them about the link between faith and health.  The team strives to provide health promotion and educational activities that address the needs of the whole person: body, mind and spirit.

Crisis Hotline Information

See below for information on crisis hotlines available in Ontario:

  • Distress Centres/Crisis Lines: If you are facing Mental Health Emergency, you can contact 911, or go to your nearest hospital.
  • Mental Health Helpline: Free and confidential mental health and substance use support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week from Wellness Together Canada.
  • ConnexOntario: Free and confidential health services information for people experiencing problems with gambling, alcohol/drugs and mental health.
  • Kids Help Phone: If you are a child or teen and need support, you can go to Kids Help Phone 1 800 668 6868 (voice) or chat online at www.kidshelpphone.ca
  • Assaulted Women’s Helpline:
    TTY: 416.364.8762 & TTY Toll free: 1.866.863.7868
    Phone: GTA- 416.863.0511 & toll free: 1.866.863.0511
    www.awhl.org/

See below for information on crisis hotlines available in Durham Region:

  • In an emergency, call 911.
  • Distress Centre Durham Crisis Line – Available 24 hours & 7 days per week:
    Phone: 905-430-2522 and Toll-Free: 1-800-452-0688
    www.distresscentredurham.com
  • Durham Mental Health Service (DMHS) –  24 hours & 7 days per week: Crisis service, crisis beds, mental health beds, mobile crisis team
    TTY: 1-866-620-3490
    Phone: 905-666-0483 and Toll-Free: 1-800-742-1890
    519 Brock St. South, Whitby, ON, L1N 4K8   www.dmhs.ca
  • Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences – Toll free Crisis phone: 1-800-263-2679 http://www.ontarioshores.ca/

Prayer & Mental Wellness

Prayer is our intimate conversation with God. We can come to God with our concerns for family, friends and for ourselves. We can offer thanks for answered prayer.  The Prayer Chain is a committed group of people who pray on our behalf. There are Prayer Concern cards in the pews for you to write your request. St. Mark’s has a Prayer Box in which to place your concerns and your prayer request card. The prayer box is brought forward each week during the  Prayers of the People and placed on the Communion Table.  Your requests are important to us and will be kept confidential.  Please contact minister@stmarkswhitby.ca to add a name to the prayer list.

When Faced with a Crisis

A mental health crisis may be frightening to those near the individual in crisis. There may be many factors that have resulted in the present crisis. Aggressive behaviour is often an attempt to keep people away so that the individual can feel safe.  Safety of the individual and those in the vicinity is imperative.  Remain calm, be respectful and courteous; speak quietly and clearly.  Ask questions slowly and quietly, one question at a time. Wait patiently for an answer, avoid interrupting or correcting. Repeat questions clearly to gain better understanding.  Decrease distractions: loud noises and bright lights may escalate behaviour.  Be an ally: “how can I help you?” or “I am here to help you.”  Allow as much space as is possible, avoid getting too close or blocking an exit. If you feel threatened, call 911.