Single mom struggles to find housing in Campbell River
Kandi Keller has lived most of her life in Campbell River. She’s been a single mom for 16 years and was steadily employed until health issues left her on disability supports. Kandi recently faced another enormous challenge -- the loss of the family’s rental home --...
Overdose responders with lived experience are especially susceptible to burnout
Five years into British Columbia’s opioid-involved overdose public health emergency, the emotional and psychological burden carried by those responding to overdoses is increasing. The total deaths from overdoses in May 2021 bring total fatalities for 2021 up to 851,...
Peer support workers essential in preventing overdose, drug poisoning deaths
Peer support workers play an essential role in supporting people with substance use related challenges. They offer judgement-free care, and personal connection for people experiencing substance use challenges and who may feel isolated and vulnerable. Peer support...
Analysis: People living on the streets are struggling. Their neighbours are too.
A lack of investment in the necessities of life, from health care to housing, has left residents of Nanaimo to 'pick up the pieces.' When I sit down to write a series, I typically try to break the issue down into a simple outline that often takes the form of...
If we say mental health help is on its way for Indigenous people, we’d better mean it
The country was horrified when the remains of 215 children were discovered in an unmarked grave at the site of a residential school in Kamloops, B.C. This gave Canadians pause about what kind of country they live in; it also brought a terrible sinking feeling, a...
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VIMHS NEWS
Take Daybreak Rotary’s 25 for 25 Challenge and support local organizations
Vancouver Island Mental Health Society is one of 25 organizations participating in Nanaimo Daybreak Rotary Club’s 25 for 25 Challenge — a month-long event marking Daybreak’s 25th anniversary. Daybreak Rotary is putting out a challenge to all of Nanaimo, virtually due...
Campbell River students welcome homeless to the neighbourhood
When a $10.4 million supportive housing project for the homeless was announced in Campbell River, it wasn’t completely popular with local residents. “Neighbours were concerned, businesses in the area too, and a lot was mentioned about the neighbouring schools in the...
Here’s our VIMHS Currents newsletter for May 2021
Take the Virtual Mission Challenge and support local organizations... Why words matter: The negative impacts of racial microaggressions... VIMHS updates from Nanaimo to Campbell River... Calming your inner world... Homelessness in Nanaimo: How does it compare with...
MEDIA SCAN
Analysis: People living on the streets are struggling. Their neighbours are too.
A lack of investment in the necessities of life, from health care to housing, has left residents of Nanaimo to 'pick up the pieces.' When I sit down to write a series, I typically try to break the issue down into a simple outline that often takes the form of...
If we say mental health help is on its way for Indigenous people, we’d better mean it
The country was horrified when the remains of 215 children were discovered in an unmarked grave at the site of a residential school in Kamloops, B.C. This gave Canadians pause about what kind of country they live in; it also brought a terrible sinking feeling, a...
Month over month, people in BC continue to lose their lives to the poisoned drug supply in record numbers
Sheila Malcolmson, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, has released the following statement regarding the BC Coroners Service’s report on illicit drug toxicity deaths for April 2021: “Month over month, people in British Columbia continue to lose their lives to...
PEOPLE FIRST MEDIA
Single mom struggles to find housing in Campbell River
Kandi Keller has lived most of her life in Campbell River. She’s been a single mom for 16 years and was steadily employed until health issues left her on disability supports. Kandi recently faced another enormous challenge -- the loss of the family’s rental home --...
Overdose responders with lived experience are especially susceptible to burnout
Five years into British Columbia’s opioid-involved overdose public health emergency, the emotional and psychological burden carried by those responding to overdoses is increasing. The total deaths from overdoses in May 2021 bring total fatalities for 2021 up to 851,...
Peer support workers essential in preventing overdose, drug poisoning deaths
Peer support workers play an essential role in supporting people with substance use related challenges. They offer judgement-free care, and personal connection for people experiencing substance use challenges and who may feel isolated and vulnerable. Peer support...
