OTTAWA, ON, June 15, 2020 /CNW/ - In recognition of the
unique demands COVID-19 is placing on the medical profession, the
Canadian Medical Association (CMA) is launching a new Wellness
Support Line. Funded by Scotiabank and MD Financial Management,
this specialized support line will provide 24/7 mental health
support and counselling to physicians, residents, medical students
and their immediate families, to complement existing resources
provided through provincial and territorial physician health
programs.
"Even before COVID-19, medicine was a high-stress profession and
physician wellness often suffered. Today, the pressures have
multiplied — a shortage of PPE, demanding hours, changing practice
protocols, and the constant threat of contracting the virus can all
lead to distress," says Dr. Sandy
Buchman, CMA President. "Our goal is to ensure equity so
that all physicians and trainees across Canada can call a help line in their own
province if needed. "
"Scotiabank is proud to uphold its tradition of supporting
the communities where we live and work. The mental health of the
physician community is so very important, especially now as they
continue to battle this pandemic. We hope this Wellness Support
Line will provide some relief when and where it is needed," says
Alex Besharat, Executive Vice
President, Canadian Wealth Management at Scotiabank.
"Despite the toll that the pandemic is taking on physicians'
mental health, they have continued to show an unfaltering
commitment to the care of Canadians," says MD CEO and President
Daniel Labonté. "MD is proud to be
part of the Wellness Support Line that will provide easy access and
a safe avenue for physicians and their families to have meaningful
mental health conversations."
The Wellness Support Line is a confidential fully bilingual,
with ongoing support in multiple languages. The service is offered
through Morneau Shepell, and all
calls are fielded by counsellors trained to address the specific
needs of medical professionals. The service is offered to all
physicians, learners and their families.
The Wellness Support Line is being offered in Saskatchewan, Ontario, Nova
Scotia, Newfoundland and
Labrador, Yukon and Nunavut – through partnerships with the
provincial/territorial medical associations in these areas. Other
regions in Canada currently offer
highly tailored, established services, which will continue to
support their physicians. Our combined efforts will ensure
that there is coverage and support for all physicians and their
families from coast to coast.
This is the latest in a series of collaborations between
Scotiabank, MD and the CMA who are dedicated to supporting the
medical profession and advancing health in Canada, having
committed a total of $26 million to
date.
About Affinity Contributions
Scotiabank, MD Financial Management Inc. (MD) and the Canadian
Medical Association (CMA) together are firmly committed to
supporting the medical profession and advancing health in
Canada. As proof of this
commitment, and in collaboration with the CMA and MD, Scotiabank is
investing $115 million over 10 years to support
physicians and the communities they serve across Canada.
About the Canadian Medical Association
The Canadian Medical Association is the national voice
of Canada's medical profession. We work with physicians,
residents and medical students on issues that matter to the
profession and the health of Canadians. We advocate for policy and
programs that drive meaningful change for physicians and their
patients.
About Scotiabank
Scotiabank is a leading bank in the Americas. Guided by our
purpose: "for every future," we help our customers, their
families and their communities achieve success through a broad
range of advice, products and services, including personal and
commercial banking, wealth management and private banking,
corporate and investment banking, and capital markets. With a team
of approximately 97,000 employees and assets of over $1.2 trillion (as at April
30, 2020), Scotiabank trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange
(TSX: BNS) and New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: BNS). For more
information, please visit http://www.scotiabank.com and follow us
on Twitter @ScotiabankViews.
About MD Financial Management Inc.
With more than 50
years of physician-focused experience, MD Financial Management Inc.
(MD) is dedicated to providing financial peace of mind to
Canada's physicians and their
families, so they can enjoy what matters most to them while
achieving their career and life goals. MD had more than
$50 billion in assets under
management as of June 3, 2020.
MD Management Limited was the first of the MD Group of
Companies to be founded, in 1969. MD Financial Management Inc.
wholly owns or has a majority interest in its seven subsidiaries
(the MD Group of Companies). It provides financial products and
services, is the fund manager for the MD Family of Funds and offers
investment counselling services. For a detailed list of the MD
Group of Companies, visit md.ca.
SOURCE Canadian Medical Association