Coping with post-Jones anxiety

West Islanders caught in a financial mess following the ongoing Earl Jones financial scandal are being encouraged to seek out assistance to deal with any anxiety.

Mental health-care workers are available at the two local CLSCs, Lac St. Louis (514-697-4110) and Pierrefonds (514-626-2572), with intakes weekdays from 8 a.m. to 8 .m. and there is also a crisis centre (514-684-6160) in Pierrefonds, said Francine Giroux, the regional director of mental health services. “People are going through different things, they are concerned about money and their earnings, but afterwards they start to realize they lost a lot,” Giroux said of alleged Earl Jones victims. “They may be alone, feel anxiety and depression or they can’t eat or sleep well.”

Besides access to social workers or psychologists, people visiting the CLSCs will also be given referrals to help with everything from housing to food. “We have a lot of links in the community,” Giroux said.

As alleged victims of Earl Jones, the disgraced Pointe Claire financial advisor who has been charged with fraud and theft, overcome their initial shock in the unfolding case and try to deal with their situation, they could seek professional help, Giroux suggested. “At some point, as they get more anxious, especially seniors, they may all of a sudden realize they have nothing and they will need help,” she said. “We have a mental health team at both CLSCs and a well-connected network.”

Meanwhile, alleged victims of the Earl Jones Consultant and Administrative Corp. can also check out a 25-page step-by-step guide to deal with their financial difficulties. The document provides a checklist of tasks that covers everything from how to clarify their current financial situation and change their wills, if necessary, to where to find provincial and federal government services. Post Earl Jones: steps to take, is available on the website of the West Island Community Resource Centre (www.crcinfo.ca). Hard copies are also available free of charge at the group’s office located at 114 Donegani Ave., Pointe Claire.