Recovery after stroke involves more than physical rehabilitation. It also includes emotional healing. Individuals recovering from stroke and their care partners have shared that mental health supports are critical, yet too often fragmented, costly, or hard to navigate.
In direct response, the Stroke Network has developed the new After-Stroke Care: Emotional Well-Being and Counselling Resource. Built through a co-designed process with people with lived experience, care partners, and providers, the guide is more than just a list of services, it is a practical tool to help people find the right support when they need them most.
The guide also includes an introductory section designed to help those living with stroke reflect on their feelings and explore what kind of help might be right for them. The opening pages offer guidance on seeking support, things to consider before choosing a service, and questions to ask yourself as you navigate next steps. It emphasizes that it is okay to need help and that sharing your feelings is an important step toward meeting recovery goals.
The aim is to help those recovering from stroke and care partners find accessible mental health and counselling support to navigate feelings of loss, anxiety, and life changes that often accompany stroke recovery. While we cannot always create new support, it is essential to use the resources that already exist to their fullest potential. This project was grounded in the 2023 Community Consultation, where mental health and well-being emerged as a top priority. Participants spoke openly about the emotional toll of stroke – one person shared, “when I look back, so much changed for me,” while a caregiver reflected, “a virtual meeting with a social worker once a month would have been useful.”
The guide is available electronically and in print, featuring local, provincial, and national mental health supports, stroke-specific groups, and navigation tools like QR codes and linked contents. It also provides transparent details about costs and waitlist.
Now available on the Stroke Network of Southeastern Ontario (SNSEO) website under Community Supports, this resource is already receiving positive feedback. An annual review will ensure it remains current and continues to meet the needs of those recovering from stroke and their care partners.
For more information, inquiries or feedback about this resource, please contact Sandra Liu, SNSEO Regional Community and LTC Coordinator at Sandra.liu@kingstonhsc.ca.