mental health

Students enter the Pierre Laporte Secondary School as secondary school students return to class full time during the COVID-19 pandemic in Montreal, Monday, March 29, 2021. Pandemic-fuelled frustration has some teens expressing anger in unhealthy ways after a year of missed social connections that would typically help them mature and regulate their emotions, says a psychiatrist calling for more education on coping skills as part of the school curriculum. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson

Teens need coping skills to deal with anger during pandemic: doctor

While some kids adjusting to online learning, parents see a lack of extracurricular activities

 

A Nanaimo city councillor plans to bring forward a motion demanding stronger measures to protect communities from repeat and prolific offenders released into communities. (News Bulletin file photo)

Nanaimo councillor wants tougher measures for prolific offenders

Coun. Sheryl Armstrong plans to bring forward motion asking province for justice-system reforms

 

The BCPA launched a petition this March, calling the provincial government to include psychologists in the list of eligible providers through MSP billing for consultation and psychotherapy. (Black Press file)

B.C. psychologists petition government for more mental health coverage under MSP

B.C. Psychological Association says current covered programs fail to meet the demand of British Columbians

 

Therapeutic counsellor Earl Blacklock visits the PQB News/VI Free Daily studio. (Peter McCully photo)

COVID-19: Dealing with the mental health aspects of the ongoing pandemic

Podcast: Vancouver Island therapeutic counsellor Earl Blacklock offers insight, tips

Therapeutic counsellor Earl Blacklock visits the PQB News/VI Free Daily studio. (Peter McCully photo)
Provincial Minister of Mental Health and Addictions announced grants for six communities and organizations on Vancouver Island to address overdose response and awareness efforts. (Black Press file)

Six Vancouver Island communities and organizations receive overdose response grants

Rural, remote and First Nations communities face obstacles, province points out

Provincial Minister of Mental Health and Addictions announced grants for six communities and organizations on Vancouver Island to address overdose response and awareness efforts. (Black Press file)
A memorial erected in honour of Langford teen Andre Courtemanche sits at the base of the Niagara Falls. (Jane Skrypnek/News Staff)

Family of Andre Courtemanche launches 10K walk, jog in teen’s honour

Andre died in January after years of depression, anxiety and bullying

  • Apr 1, 2021
A memorial erected in honour of Langford teen Andre Courtemanche sits at the base of the Niagara Falls. (Jane Skrypnek/News Staff)
Rising demand for police to perform well-being checks and field calls for people struggling with mental heath crises is driving the city to formulate a situation table to connect vulnerable people with the services they need. (News Bulletin file photo)

City, Nanaimo RCMP optimistic about how ‘situation tables’ can help people, one at a time

City highlights rising demand for wellness checks and mental health-related calls

Rising demand for police to perform well-being checks and field calls for people struggling with mental heath crises is driving the city to formulate a situation table to connect vulnerable people with the services they need. (News Bulletin file photo)
Sharan Sidhu, science officer and general manager Numinus Bioscience, with a sample of magic mushrooms cultivated by the company. (Karl Yu/News Bulletin)

Lab expansion project in Nanaimo to aid magic mushroom, psychedelics research

Numinus announces plans for 7,500-square-foot expansion to south Nanaimo facility

Sharan Sidhu, science officer and general manager Numinus Bioscience, with a sample of magic mushrooms cultivated by the company. (Karl Yu/News Bulletin)
Island Health says it will take a series of actions to address concerns of former patients at the Royal Jubilee Hospital’s Psychiatric Emergency Services. (Black Press Media File Photo)

Island Health promises action after criticism of Victoria hospital’s psychiatric unit

‘When we see things happen we’ll start to believe them,’ former patient says

  • Mar 26, 2021
Island Health says it will take a series of actions to address concerns of former patients at the Royal Jubilee Hospital’s Psychiatric Emergency Services. (Black Press Media File Photo)
(Unsplash)

44% of Canadians feel their careers would suffer if they revealed mental health issues: report

Half of managers said they drank more in February than they did in October, before the second wave

(Unsplash)
Mayor John Vassilaki (File)

Penticton mayor backpedals comments about making people with mental illness ‘normal’

“I didn’t mean it to come out the way people take it” says John Vassilaki

Mayor John Vassilaki (File)
Alberta regional chief Marlene Poitras, left, interim Yukon regional chief Kluane Adamek, and National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations Perry Bellegarde, along with co-chairs Harold Tarbell, Racelle Kooy, and Tim Catcheway, listen as Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Carolyn Bennett, centre, speaks during the AFN Special Chiefs Assembly in Gatineau, Que., on Tuesday, May 1, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Indigenous communities need more mental health support in wake of COVID-19: report

A number of First Nations reported increased drug and alcohol use and relapse

Alberta regional chief Marlene Poitras, left, interim Yukon regional chief Kluane Adamek, and National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations Perry Bellegarde, along with co-chairs Harold Tarbell, Racelle Kooy, and Tim Catcheway, listen as Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Carolyn Bennett, centre, speaks during the AFN Special Chiefs Assembly in Gatineau, Que., on Tuesday, May 1, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
Former patients of the Psychiatric Emergency Services (PES) unit at the Royal Jubilee Hospital are asking for more thorough and compassionate care. (Nina Grossman/News Staff)

‘Belittled and dismissed:’ Former patients of Victoria Psychiatric Emergency Services call for change

Culture of mental health stigma persists in the health care system, says MLA Adam Olsen

Former patients of the Psychiatric Emergency Services (PES) unit at the Royal Jubilee Hospital are asking for more thorough and compassionate care. (Nina Grossman/News Staff)
People wear face masks as they walk along a street in Montreal, Sunday, February 21, 2021, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues in Canada and around the world. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

Working women report poor mental health, with stress higher among working moms: poll

Overall, 44 per cent of women said they worry they will face lack of job prospects when the pandemic ends

People wear face masks as they walk along a street in Montreal, Sunday, February 21, 2021, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues in Canada and around the world. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
Youth facing mental health challenges contacted Kids Help Phone at a rate 102 per cent higher in 2020, than prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Pixabay)

London Drugs answers Canada’s Kids Help Phone call with new ‘kind’ initiative

Struggling B.C. kids and youth contacted the helpline 102% more in 2020 than the previous year: data

Youth facing mental health challenges contacted Kids Help Phone at a rate 102 per cent higher in 2020, than prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Pixabay)
Jasmine and Gwen Donaldson are part of the CAT team working to reduce stigma for marginalized groups in Campbell River. Photo by Marc Kitteringham, Campbell River Mirror

Jasmine’s story: Stigma can be the hardest hurdle for those overcoming addiction

Recovering B.C. woman says welcome, connection and community key for rebuilding after drug habit

Jasmine and Gwen Donaldson are part of the CAT team working to reduce stigma for marginalized groups in Campbell River. Photo by Marc Kitteringham, Campbell River Mirror
Doctors and counsellors warn of an increase in panic attacks, anxiety, depression and suicide ideas between ages 10 to 14, in Campbell River. ( Black Press file photo)

Extended pandemic feeding the anxieties of Vancouver Island’s youth

Parents not sure what to do, urged to reach out for help

Doctors and counsellors warn of an increase in panic attacks, anxiety, depression and suicide ideas between ages 10 to 14, in Campbell River. ( Black Press file photo)
Friends and family say much more needs to be done to help people like ‘Roby.’ Photo supplied

More than a statistic: how ‘Roby’ fell through Vancouver Island’s cracks

Mother, friends point to obstacles preventing the most vulnerable people from getting help

Friends and family say much more needs to be done to help people like ‘Roby.’ Photo supplied
Sheila Malcolmson, B.C. minister of mental health and addictions. (News Bulletin file photo)

Province funding 20 treatment and recovery spaces in Nanaimo

B.C. government partnering with John Howard Society, Edgewood Treatment Centre

Sheila Malcolmson, B.C. minister of mental health and addictions. (News Bulletin file photo)
As vulnerability and instability increases for Canadians due to circumstances on the pandemic, United Way is glad to have extended their service. The initiative is now offered to everyone, 365 days a year in over 150 languages, as United Way received emergency funding from the Government of Canada as part of its COVID-19 response. (Photo by Sam Lion/Pexels)

Resource hotline BC 211 sees 194% spike on Vancouver Island in 2020

Helpline is available 365 days a year, 24 hours a day

As vulnerability and instability increases for Canadians due to circumstances on the pandemic, United Way is glad to have extended their service. The initiative is now offered to everyone, 365 days a year in over 150 languages, as United Way received emergency funding from the Government of Canada as part of its COVID-19 response. (Photo by Sam Lion/Pexels)