Shoppers Drug Mart provides free access to mental health program to help Canadians coping with stress

Stress management program available online through SilverCloud Health

TORONTO, April 1, 2020 /CNW/ - Shoppers Drug Mart is making peace of mind a little more accessible to Canadians as they struggle with increased stress in the face of COVID-19.  In partnership with SilverCloud Health, the company has opened a virtual stress management program, accessible anywhere from their phones, tablets or computer. The company will cover all associated costs.

"Our purpose is helping Canadians live life well, and these days that means more than ever," said Jeff Leger, President, Shoppers Drug Mart. "With health and financial concerns, isolation, and anxiety rising, this program is designed to treat stress with modern approaches. Hopefully, it brings people peace of mind, and possibly gives them and the healthcare system some relief at a time when both are burdened."

The stress program is a blend of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), positive psychology and mindfulness consisting of eight modules that focus on resilience and cognitive restructuring to help recognize and change negative thinking patterns and behaviours. This program for stress management is adaptive and personalizes therapeutic delivery to the individual. It works to help identify and enhance existing strengths and skills, and build new ones. Built in conjunction with leading clinical and subject matter experts, each module contains text, video and audio clips as well as interactive and engaging activities designed to help challenge and change unhelpful behaviours.

"We are committed to providing impactful mental health support to those in need across Canada and beyond during this unprecedented global crisis," said Ken Cahill, CEO of SilverCloud. "With a whole population being asked to stay home and health systems having to prioritize care, we recognize the heightened need for effective, proven virtual support. Our partnership with Shoppers Drug Mart helps ensure Canadians have tools and techniques available to manage stress and bring balance into their lives during this unprecedented time."

The stress program will be available nationwide by visiting www.shoppersdrugmart.ca and will be free to Canadians until June 15.

About Shoppers Drug Mart: Shoppers Drug Mart is one of the most recognized and trusted names in Canadian retailing. The company is the licensor of full-service retail drug stores operating under the name Shoppers Drug Mart (Pharmaprix in Québec). With almost 1,300 Shoppers Drug Mart and Pharmaprix stores operating in prime locations in each province and two territories, the company is one of the most convenient retailers in Canada. The company also licenses or owns 47 medical clinic pharmacies operating under the name Shoppers Simply Pharmacy (Pharmaprix Simplement Santé in Québec), and provides cosmetic dermatology services at two standalone locations, the Beauty Clinic. As well, the company owns and operates 43 corporate Wellwise by Shoppers Drug Mart stores and an ecommerce site Wellwise.ca, making it the largest Canadian retailer of home health care products and services. In addition to its retail store network, the company owns Shoppers Drug Mart Specialty Health Network Inc., a provider of specialty drug distribution, pharmacy and comprehensive patient support services, and MediSystem Inc., a provider of pharmaceutical products and services to long-term care facilities. Shoppers Drug Mart is an independent operating division of Loblaw Companies Limited.

About SilverCloud Health SilverCloud Health is the world's leading digital mental health company, enabling providers, health plans and employers to deliver clinically validated digital health/therapeutic care that improves outcomes, increases access and scale while reducing costs. The company's multi-award-winning digital mental health platform is a result of over 17 years of clinical research with leading academic institutions. Today, SilverCloud is being used by over 300 organizations globally to meet their populations' mental health needs. Global experts have deeply validated the platform through full randomized control trials and real-world data from over 350,000 SilverCloud users. The platform continues to lead the industry with its effectiveness, engagement, and range of clinical programs that encompasses the spectrum of mental health needs. Learn more at www.silvercloudhealth.com.