Alone and Afraid: Lessons learned from the ordeal of a child with special needs and his family
The ordeal of one boy and his family shows that British Columbia’s system of services to support children with complex needs must be overhauled, says an investigative report by the Representative for Children and Youth. The report details the events that led to the...
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Cold Specks details her battle with schizophrenia and hospitalization
“Schizophrenia, anorexia, crippling depression, suicide attempts. There’s a lot to write about.” She says it with a chuckle, but Ladan Hussein — the Toronto singer/songwriter better known by her stage name, Cold Specks — spent a good year in hell to earn that laugh....
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Alfred Andrew’s road to recovery
After almost 40 years of substance use and rounds of homelessness and living on the street, Alfred Andrew is now sober and working to help others who are struggling as he once did. Alfred lives in Campbell River on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. He now works in...
read more
Out of the box: Acquired brain injury and mental health
After a brain injury, it can be very difficult to navigate and cope with complex issues of life. It doesn’t make things easier that acquired brain injury, mental health, and related issues such as substance use and addiction are usually treated by different systems of...
read more
Opioids and Oatmeal
Amanda Jones is a creative writing student at Vancouver Island University. She’s been writing and speaking about her sister Amy’s descent into mental illness and addiction and Amy’s virtual disappearance into Vancouver’s notorious Downtown Eastside. We first spoke...
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For People First Media audio, please follow the link to the post.
VIMHS NEWS
Help us with your donation on Giving Tuesday, November 27th
Next Tuesday, November 27, is Giving Tuesday. Giving Tuesday is a day when charities, business and individuals come together to celebrate giving. It's the opposite of Black Friday and Cyber Monday. You can find out more about us, Giving Tuesday, and make a donation...
read moreRead our VIMHS Currents newsletter for November 2018!
Campbell River’s Sobering and Assessment Centre marks one year of service...United Way, Giving Tuesday...VIMHS board of directors considers communications, key messages...Our new website is now up at vimhs.org...Seniors Connect Nanaimo celebrates, educates and...
read moreDevelopment permit issued for a VIMHS 23-unit personal care facility in Nanaimo
“This will provide an opportunity for those folks who are currently living in a transitional housing situation to have a lifetime home,” Vancouver Island Mental Healthy Society executive director Taryn O’Flanagan said. “We’re going to provide staff support to folks...
read moreMEDIA SCAN
Alone and Afraid: Lessons learned from the ordeal of a child with special needs and his family
The ordeal of one boy and his family shows that British Columbia’s system of services to support children with complex needs must be overhauled, says an investigative report by the Representative for Children and Youth. The report details the events that led to the...
read moreCold Specks details her battle with schizophrenia and hospitalization
“Schizophrenia, anorexia, crippling depression, suicide attempts. There’s a lot to write about.” She says it with a chuckle, but Ladan Hussein — the Toronto singer/songwriter better known by her stage name, Cold Specks — spent a good year in hell to earn that laugh....
read moreMoms united in grief and new purpose: to change how addiction is treated in Canada
Leslie McBain, Petra Schulz and Lorna Thomas share a common, unwanted bond. Each of them has endured the pain of losing a son to drugs. Ms. McBain’s only child, Jordan Miller, died of an accidental opioid overdose in February, 2014. Ms. Schulz’s youngest child, Danny...
read morePEOPLE FIRST MEDIA
Alfred Andrew’s road to recovery
After almost 40 years of substance use and rounds of homelessness and living on the street, Alfred Andrew is now sober and working to help others who are struggling as he once did. Alfred lives in Campbell River on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. He now works in...
read moreOut of the box: Acquired brain injury and mental health
After a brain injury, it can be very difficult to navigate and cope with complex issues of life. It doesn’t make things easier that acquired brain injury, mental health, and related issues such as substance use and addiction are usually treated by different systems of...
read moreOpioids and Oatmeal
Amanda Jones is a creative writing student at Vancouver Island University. She’s been writing and speaking about her sister Amy’s descent into mental illness and addiction and Amy’s virtual disappearance into Vancouver’s notorious Downtown Eastside. We first spoke...
read more
