CMA, in collaboration with Scotiabank and MD Financial Management, launch new Wellness Support Line to help Canadian physicians and medical learners

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

Anick Losier, Director, Media & Issue Management, Canadian Medical Association, [email protected], 613-807-0457; Alex Mathias, Global Wealth Management Communications, Scotiabank, [email protected], 416-448-7044; Yali N'Diaye, External Communications Manager, MD Financial Management Inc., [email protected], 613 813-7361