mental health

The Integrated Mobile Crisis Response Team responds to 5,000 to 6,000 calls a year, many from police agencies seeking guidance in mental health and substance use calls. (Black Press Media file photo)

Oak Bay police rely on regional health team for mental health response

Integrated Mobile Crisis Response Team aids Greater Victoria officers 11 hours a day

The Integrated Mobile Crisis Response Team responds to 5,000 to 6,000 calls a year, many from police agencies seeking guidance in mental health and substance use calls. (Black Press Media file photo)
Mental Health and Addictions Minister Sheila Malcolmson has announced the creation of a ‘situation table’ for Victoria, designed to bring local agencies together to help connect vulnerable people to services before traumatic or criminal experiences. (Black Press Media file photo)

Identifying people at risk of trauma, criminal activity in Victoria goal of program

‘Situation table’ will seek to proactively link people to services beforehand

Mental Health and Addictions Minister Sheila Malcolmson has announced the creation of a ‘situation table’ for Victoria, designed to bring local agencies together to help connect vulnerable people to services before traumatic or criminal experiences. (Black Press Media file photo)
Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Sheila Malcolmson announced the implementation of 500 new complex-care housing spaces across the province on Tuesday (March 22). (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)

Health-care linked, eviction-free housing coming to Greater Victoria, rest of B.C.

100 complex-care spaces to be created in Capital Region, 500 across B.C. by 2023

Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Sheila Malcolmson announced the implementation of 500 new complex-care housing spaces across the province on Tuesday (March 22). (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)
Members of Greater Victoria’s Ukrainian community gathered outside the B.C. legislature on Feb. 24 to stand against Russia’s invasion. (Jake Romphf/News Staff)

Victoria experts offer tips on talking with kids about Russia’s war on Ukraine

Open conversations, screentime limits, taking action locally among suggestions

Members of Greater Victoria’s Ukrainian community gathered outside the B.C. legislature on Feb. 24 to stand against Russia’s invasion. (Jake Romphf/News Staff)
The 600-kilometre Wounded Warriors BC fundraiser and awareness campaign that started Feb. 27 on the North Island wraps Sunday in Victoria. (John Penner WWRBC photographer)

Wounded Warriors BC races for Victoria finish line to raise funds, awareness

600-kilometre relay finishes with finale March 6 in Market Square

The 600-kilometre Wounded Warriors BC fundraiser and awareness campaign that started Feb. 27 on the North Island wraps Sunday in Victoria. (John Penner WWRBC photographer)
A fundraiser has been created to build a mountain bike trail in honour of Matthew Jeromkin, who was 13 when he died Feb. 6. (GoFundMe/submitted photo)

Family hopes to memorialize Nanaimo boy’s life with mountain bike trail

Gofundme set up to raise money for project to honour 13-year-old

A fundraiser has been created to build a mountain bike trail in honour of Matthew Jeromkin, who was 13 when he died Feb. 6. (GoFundMe/submitted photo)
Members of the Victoria Police Department are receiving trauma resiliency training, thanks to a program developed at the University of Victoria. (Black Press Media file photo)

Trauma training kickoff for Victoria police coincides with Wounded Warrior Run

Resiliency training offers knowledge, tools to mitigate effect of traumatic experiences

Members of the Victoria Police Department are receiving trauma resiliency training, thanks to a program developed at the University of Victoria. (Black Press Media file photo)
Youth 20/20 Can Nanaimo members, waving signs on the Norwell Drive pedestrian overpass last month, implore passing motorists to think about mental health. Youth 20/20 Can has organized a mental health workshop series to be held via Zoom from Feb. 10-March 17. (Photo courtesy Youth 20/20 Can)

Youth volunteers in Nanaimo organize mental health workshop series

Youth 20/20 Can hosting Zoom calls for young people aged 15-29

Youth 20/20 Can Nanaimo members, waving signs on the Norwell Drive pedestrian overpass last month, implore passing motorists to think about mental health. Youth 20/20 Can has organized a mental health workshop series to be held via Zoom from Feb. 10-March 17. (Photo courtesy Youth 20/20 Can)
Musician, songwriter and recording studio owner Kathryn Calder has had a busy two years of doing everything from hosting online concerts to collaborating with community members from youth to seniors. (Courtesy City of Victoria)

Victoria celebrates achievements of outgoing artist in residence Kathryn Calder

Musician, songwriter and recording studio owner developed arts resources across various mediums

Musician, songwriter and recording studio owner Kathryn Calder has had a busy two years of doing everything from hosting online concerts to collaborating with community members from youth to seniors. (Courtesy City of Victoria)
Homeless people in Sooke will receive a helping hand to find mental-health support, thanks to the Sooke and Juan de Fuca Health Foundation. (File - Metro-Creative)

Grant benefits Sooke homeless with mental health support

Fund through Sooke and Juan de Fuca Health Foundation provides $5,000

Homeless people in Sooke will receive a helping hand to find mental-health support, thanks to the Sooke and Juan de Fuca Health Foundation. (File - Metro-Creative)
Carolyn Bennett speaks in Ottawa, Wednesday December 4, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

National standards would help track young Canadians’ mental health, experts say

Young Canadians reached out to Kids Help Phone about 4.6 million times in 2020, up from 1.9 million in 2019

Carolyn Bennett speaks in Ottawa, Wednesday December 4, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
Long-time B.C. paramedic Jeff Smith stands beside his former colleague Shelley O’Rourke. Smith has partnered up with health care professionals and first responders to launch a non-profit aimed at helping first responders who suffer from PTSD. (Submitted photo)

Paramedic with PTSD launches new mental health tool for first responders

Former B.C. paramedic Jeff Smith says the detachment technique saved his life

Long-time B.C. paramedic Jeff Smith stands beside his former colleague Shelley O’Rourke. Smith has partnered up with health care professionals and first responders to launch a non-profit aimed at helping first responders who suffer from PTSD. (Submitted photo)
Minister Sheila Malcomson speaks at an Oct. 29 announcement of new treatment spaces at Red Fish Healing Centre on Kwikwetlem territory. (Goverment of BC/YouTube)

B.C. announces $4.2M to expand free, low-cost counselling services at 49 organizations

Funding will enable services to continue until March 31, 2023

Minister Sheila Malcomson speaks at an Oct. 29 announcement of new treatment spaces at Red Fish Healing Centre on Kwikwetlem territory. (Goverment of BC/YouTube)
FILE - In this Aug. 3, 2007, file photo, psilocybin mushrooms are seen in a grow room at the Procare farm in Hazerswoude, central Netherlands. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong, File)

Update on psychedelic therapy drugs a positive step in mental-health care: experts

Move will allow physicians to request restricted psychedelic drugs for patients as part of psychotherapy

FILE - In this Aug. 3, 2007, file photo, psilocybin mushrooms are seen in a grow room at the Procare farm in Hazerswoude, central Netherlands. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong, File)
The Team 4 Hope (donated by Mayfair Optometric) tree during the 30th Festival of Trees Victoria earned top Judges Choice award as voted by the volunteer committee. (Courtesy BC Children’s Hospital Foundation)

Festival of Trees Victoria raises $171,000 for BC Children’s Hospital mental health initiative

Mindfulness program open to young patients, caregivers, family and health professionals

The Team 4 Hope (donated by Mayfair Optometric) tree during the 30th Festival of Trees Victoria earned top Judges Choice award as voted by the volunteer committee. (Courtesy BC Children’s Hospital Foundation)
Dylan Joss, a Victoria man who lives in the Fernwood area, is running to raise money for youth struggling with depression and anxiety. (Dylan Joss/Facebook)

Victoria man to run a total of 800 km for youth struggling with depression

Dylan Joss hopes to take a group of 15 youth to Tofino for mental health surf trip

Dylan Joss, a Victoria man who lives in the Fernwood area, is running to raise money for youth struggling with depression and anxiety. (Dylan Joss/Facebook)
Beth Burton-Krahn (right) stands among her BC Cancer Victoria colleagues. She says the holidays can be especially stressful for her clients impacted by cancer. (Courtesy of BC Cancer)

Loved ones need extra support during the holidays: BC Cancer

Victoria counsellor stresses the importance of connection for those impacted by disease

Beth Burton-Krahn (right) stands among her BC Cancer Victoria colleagues. She says the holidays can be especially stressful for her clients impacted by cancer. (Courtesy of BC Cancer)
Romana Didulo is a Victoria resident who falsely claims to be the Queen of Canada. (YouTube/Reine Romana Didulo)

Violent rhetoric by self-proclaimed ‘Queen of Canada’ concerning: extremism experts

Romana Didulo has called for the execution of anyone assisting in vaccinating children

Romana Didulo is a Victoria resident who falsely claims to be the Queen of Canada. (YouTube/Reine Romana Didulo)
To support mental health programs at BC Children’s Hospital, Amica Douglas House purchased a $1,000 tree and spent an evening decorating for the Festival of Trees, on through Jan. 4 at The Bay Centre in Victoria. (Courtesy Amica Douglas House)

Christmas tree forest in Victoria raising funds for children’s mental health programs

Festival of Trees, on now through Jan. 4 at The Bay Centre, celebrates its 30th year

To support mental health programs at BC Children’s Hospital, Amica Douglas House purchased a $1,000 tree and spent an evening decorating for the Festival of Trees, on through Jan. 4 at The Bay Centre in Victoria. (Courtesy Amica Douglas House)
Sara Maksymowicz worries about the effect of cuts to non-emergency care on the South Island for adults facing eating disorders. (Courtesy Sara Maksymowicz)

‘A system of failures:’ South Vancouver Island adult eating disorder services quietly removed

Non-emergency resources have been a lifeline for Greater Victoria residents

Sara Maksymowicz worries about the effect of cuts to non-emergency care on the South Island for adults facing eating disorders. (Courtesy Sara Maksymowicz)