CMHA - Mid Island Branch

August is Overdose Awareness Month. Overdoses affect all walks of life, all social classes, all communities. The Nanaimo Community Action Team is calling on the community to help them spread awareness, eliminate stigma and affect policy change.

This campaign does more than advocate; it shows people their lives matter and that our compassion extends to all of our neighbours.

Are you passionate about supporting others? Care to Speak is looking for volunteers with experience in healthcare or social services to provide peer support. If you’re empathetic, non-judgmental, open-minded, and can commit to volunteering one day per week, they'd love hear from you!

Apply today and make a difference: https://careforcaregivers.ca/peer-support-service/

Festival season is here! Learn ways to ensure you have a fun and safe summer.

- Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher.
- Regularly drink water to stay hydrated.
- If you are drinking alcohol, drink slowly. Don't have more than two standard drinks in any three-hour period.
- If using substances, use with someone or have someone check on you.
- Visit WILD Collaborative Harm Reduction Services, CMHA - Mid Island Branch, and Vancouver Island Drug Checking Project for free drug-checking and other harm reduction services at local events near you.

Learn more: https://ow.ly/tcsA50Srm5S

Approaches to mental wellness aren’t one-size-fits-all. People and cultures have unique needs and ways of taking care of mental health and substance use health. Most Indigenous worldviews take a holistic approach to wellness seeking to balance mental, physical, spiritual, and emotional realities. That’s the approach of the First Nations Mental Wellness Continuum Framework which is informed by Indigenous wisdom and knowledge to improve mental wellness outcomes for First Nations.

CMHA is committed to advancing truth and reconciliation, better supporting Indigenous communities, and working as allies with Indigenous mental health organizations to advocate for increased funding for Indigenous-led health services. Learning about Indigenous history, knowledge, traditions, and worldviews is an important step toward reconciliation. Learn more about this systems-approach to mental wellness at https://thunderbirdpf.org/fnmwc/

Tomorrow!

On May 28, the Nanaimo Community Action Team (CAT) and the Port Theatre are co-hosting a community dialogue on the opioid crisis in Nanaimo. This FREE event aims to reduce the stigma surrounding the toxic substance crisis, while also addressing methods to reduce the impacts and trauma experienced by the community.

Local organizations: Risebridge, CMHA, NARSF, NANDU, Mom's Stop the Harm, and Island Health Harm Reduction will be joined by Guy Felicella, a passionate advocate for drug policy reform and internationally recognized public speaker.

This event runs from 2-5 p.m. (doors open at 1 p.m.) and participants are asked to register in advance here: https://www.porttheatre.com/event/changing-the-narrative-anti-stigma-community-dialogue/

Nanaimo CAT community action team on the lethal drug crisis Naut'sa mawt Community Wellness Network Canadian Drug Policy Coalition Risebridge CMHA - Mid Island Branch Nanaimo Brain Injury Society MomsStopTheHarm Area Network of Drug Users - NANDU

We love the amazing work that the Helping Paws clinic provides in our community :) This is a no cost service for low-income and unhoused people.

A reminder that our May Clinic is next Thursday, May 23rd. Registration starts at 12 30 and is first come first served. We recommend arriving early to secure your spot in line.

We are expanding our team! 😀

Casual/Part-Time opportunities are currently open in our Housing program, Social Centre and Overdose Prevention Site.

Our programs seek to promote community inclusion, essential services, and empowerment for people living with mental health challenges, substance use challenges, and/or homelessness. Applicants can expect challenging but rewarding work.

At our workplace, we take pride in offering low-barrier services to those in need, all while maintaining a fun and enjoyable atmosphere.

If dynamic work environments are your flavour, you can check out our posting listings here:
https://cmhamidisland.easyapply.co/

Cheers, and future welcome to successful applicants! We can't wait to welcome you to our crew.

View jobs at Canadian Mental Health Association Mid-Island Canadian Mental Health Association, Mid-Island Branch (CMHA MI) is a not-for-profit, charitable organization providing housing, homelessness,...

Today and tomorrow, we’re diving into the art of self-compassion. Practicing self-compassion means approaching ourselves with the same kindness we extend to others. Cultivating self-compassion not only fosters more positive mental health, but it also empowers us to lead more fulfilling lives.

Self-compassion fact: Did you know that there are 3 key elements of self-compassion? Self-kindness vs. Self-judgment, Common Humanity vs. Isolation, and Mindfulness vs. Over-identification.

Check out this story of how self-compassion changed Shawn's path by clicking the link below:

The Power of Self-Compassion: Shawn's Journey - CMHA National Shawn, 27, from rural Newfoundland, wears many hats: employment support worker, research and teaching assistant, online course facilitator, and member of the National Council of Persons with Lived Experience (NCPLE). ...

The countdown is over! Today officially kicks off Mental Health Week 2024. We’re excited to celebrate with you and explore the theme of “Healing through Compassion.”

Compassion is free, accessible, and something that can be learned. When we show compassion, we acknowledge a commonality between ourselves and others, irrespective of social or personal identity. We establish trust, strengthen relationships, and cultivate a sense of community.

Follow along with us on social media by using the hashtags and .

Nanaimo's 7-10 club is looking for volunteers! They're the OGs in the scene and we can't imagine what our community would look like without their unwavering commitment to keep people connected and fed. If you're looking for ways to give back to our community reach out :)

VOLUNTEERS WANTED

"It's 6:30am as volunteers arrive to prepare 6 item, the equivalent of 2 meals, bag lunches that will soon be delivered to the homeless and others in need. Shortly after arriving the sound of jovial chatter and laughter of the volunteers can be heard emanating from within."

Our volunteers come from all walks and despite the early hour the previous comment could not be more true. For almost 40 years the 7-10 Club has done its best at FEEDING PEOPLE WITH DIGNITY AND RESPECT. Despite over 2 years with no fixed address, like the majoriity of those in need of our services, we continue to do so.

We recognise the time of volunteering is a bit of a challenge but partaking of the challenge definitely has its rewards. Please CONSIDER; for that alone you have our THANKS.

6:20/6:30am – 7:30/8:00am
Monday thru Friday
1 or more shifts.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

[email protected]
or message thru Facebook
Nanaimo 7-10 Club
or
250 797 0531

Join Care for Caregivers on April 24 at 12 PM to learn about the ways trauma and stress can impact healthcare professionals, and practice helpful coping strategies. In this session, you will understand the different ways we define trauma and how that can impact those who are experiencing trauma/stress-related difficulties.

Register now: https://buff.ly/49tuEs8

we're suckers for a good rhyme and a good time ;)

♥️♥️♥️

Working as a social worker in community mental health and substance use is challenging. Frontline workers endure high stress, burnout, and operate in complex environments. CMHA celebrates the tireless efforts of social workers who provide compassionate and quality care, day in and day out. We will continue to advocate for more resources for the community mental health sector to support you.

Read the article in Visions Journal where Mac Brown discusses barriers to gender inclusivity in sports and ways that sports can work towards being more inclusive, supportive, and fair to gender-diverse individuals.

"Being active is a healthy and holistic choice that offers new challenges, skills development, social openings and participation in something bigger than ourselves. We as individuals, as settings, as organizations and as a society need to continue to strive to welcome all without placing unnecessary barriers in the way. We will be a happier, healthier, more collaborative and loving society for doing so," Brown says.

Learn about what can be done to strive towards inclusivity for all in sports in Visions Journal: https://buff.ly/4bOkFjE

another great food resource, and available to all income levels.

Order your Good Food Box by Tuesdays at midnight for the following Thursday. Every Good Food Box is filled with 6-9 types of fresh produce and is valued between $20-$25 dollars. And you can order one by paying $10 to $15 each. If you'd like to order one, you can visit www.NanaimoGoodFoodBox.com or call the program directly at 250-713-7311

a great resource for these grocery challenging times

It's been a tough month financially, and I have needed to lean harder on local resources. Here is one that I was grateful for this week.

St. Vincent De Paul offers grocery gift cards to people in need. Clients can call and request support every 3 months: 250-753-8500. Leave a message and a volunteer will follow up within a week and deliver gift cards to your home.
The amount shared depends on how many people are in your home. I believe it ranges from $25 to $50 a person.

For more food resources:
https://pananaimo.ca/food/

Please help end the stigma around substance use - talking about it and sharing information around safety is how we can combat the shame people live with. Stay safe neighbours!

Drug testing is available seven days a week between the hours of 11:00 am - 8:30 pm at our Overdose Prevention Site at 250 Albert Street. It is an anonymous service and can provide you with a lot more information about what's in your substances. Great for recreational substance partakers and daily consumers alike :)

Childhood trauma can crop up in unexpected ways, especially when parenting. There is a great webinar is available tomorrow to learn about relational parenting - check it out!

Join Care for Caregivers on January 17 to explore how various forms of childhood pain can lead to trauma and how these experiences may impact adult life.

This webinar will explore the signs that indicate how unresolved childhood pain might make parenting more challenging.

Presented by Anne Alvares, a Parent Coach of the Masterful Parenting Program school counsellor, and mom of two, Anne works to help parents heal from their childhood pain to nurture healthy relationships with their children through relational parenting.

Register now to learn more about the effects of childhood trauma on parenting: https://buff.ly/3uT2vwn

TW: Self-Harm

Folx experiencing self harm ideation benefit greatly from talking about it. The stigma around mental health and topics around su***de ideation can make it really challenging to reach out to people they know. Having a safe, anonymous place to reach out can make all the difference. An easy to remember number doesn't hurt either ;) Take care of yourselves, and each other.

We know that the holidays can bring up a real mixed bag of emotions. For some of us we can cycle through the full range in one short time period. They are, a complicated time for many.

At CMHA Mid-Island we hope you find the most safety possible, and encourage you to reach out for support if you need it. The Bounce Back program is very easy to engage in, doesn't require you to leave your home, and teaches you valuable skills to strengthen your mental health game :)

Feeling stressed or overwhelmed? BounceBack® is here to help you on your journey.

Learn strategies to overcome low mood, anxiety, stress, or worry, online at your own pace or with the support of a trained coach. This free program is available for individuals 13+ throughout BC, to help you learn strategies and skills to support your .

Join thousands of people in BC who have used BounceBack®. Learn more and register today: https://bouncebackbc.ca/

T'is the season for work place social functions - are you planning an inclusive space for the folx on your team? Check out some ideas below :)

It's important to offer different choices to individuals who may have various reasons for adjusting their alcohol consumption. As you host workplace celebrations and social events that include alcoholic beverages, consider measures to make the events healthy and inclusive for all.

To support you in this, we’ve created a list of tips on hosting safe, healthy, inclusive workplace events. Discover why it’s important to be mindful of the beverages on hand and explore simple, fun and effective strategies to ensure that everyone feels comfortable and welcomed at workplace gatherings. https://buff.ly/48iq8Nk

TW

We are so happy to see this integral step in getting easy to access support for people who are experiencing suicidal thoughts. The world is better with all of us in it :)

The launch of 9-8-8 su***de crisis helpline, marks a pivotal moment in the Canadian crisis support sector. CMHA proudly supports this national lifeline, emphasizing our commitment to mental health and well-being. 988.ca

CMHA National / ACSM National

Workshop Alert! ! Join us TOMORROW for our "Understanding Brain Injury" Public Workshop!! Presented by Ashleigh Wasner.

Tuesday, November 28th, 2023
6:00pm—8:00pm
NBIS Program Lounge
#101— 235 Bastion Street, Nanaimo

Please contact Adrienne at [email protected] or call 250-753-5600 Ext. 4 to register. Everyone welcome. Hope to see you there!

CMHA BC’s policy department initiated its research project on peer employment in the mental health and substance use sector with a literature review.

This included compiling peer-reviewed studies, reports and other materials to bring together the most recent and relevant data about peer work from multiple jurisdictions around the world. This data provided important background and context for subsequent steps of the research and informed the recommendations in the resulting report.

Want to advance your understanding of peer working conditions? Dig into the literature review to learn about the studies, reports, and worldwide data that guided this research: https://buff.ly/47AlBp2

A neat and new initiative for Nanaimo residents to take advantage of :)

If you've visited Bowen Park Complex lately, you may have noticed a new orange bench in the upper area of the facility. What is it, and why is it there?

The Orange Bench is inspired by the Friendship Bench that started in Zimbabwe. The Friendship Bench provides an actionable program that encourages conversations about mental health.

It is hoped that more benches will be installed around Nanaimo with community volunteers there at advertised times.

Dr. Derek Poteryko will be visiting the Orange Bench at Bowen Park on the second Wednesday of every month (next one is November 8) at 12:15 pm. As a family doctor, he will be happy to entertain health-related questions from those who attend.

For more information on the Friendship Bench, please visit the website. https://ow.ly/mRuw50PYhVq

VOLUNTEERS WANTED

"It's 6:30am as volunteers arrive to prepare 6 item, the equivalent of 2 meals, bag lunches that will soon be delivered to the homeless and others in need. Shortly after arriving the sound of jovial chatter and laughter of the volunteers can be heard emanating from within."

Our volunteers come from all walks and despite the early hour the previous comment could not be more true. For almost 40 years the 7-10 Club has done its best at FEEDING PEOPLE WITH DIGNITY AND RESPECT. Despite over 2 years with no fixed address, like the majoriity of those in need of our services, we continue to do so.

We recognise the time of volunteering is a bit of a challenge but partaking of the challenge definitely has its rewards. Please CONSIDER; for that alone you have our THANKS.

6:20/6:30am – 7:30/8:00am
Monday thru Friday
1 or more shifts.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

[email protected]
or message thru Facebook
Nanaimo 7-10 Club
or
250 797 0531

Resilient Minds™, in partnership with the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), is committed to enhancing mental health support for Indigenous First Responders and Francophone Fire Fighters. With PHAC's significant funding of over $1 million, our program has been tailored to provide essential tools and resources, fostering resilience and well-being within these vital communities.

Steve Fraser, Co-Founder of Resilient Minds™, emphasizes the importance: "This collaboration provides vital training, fostering resilient first responders across Canada, addressing the psychological challenges they face daily."

Resilient Minds™ represents a significant leap forward in bolstering the psychological resilience of firefighters and first responders, ensuring robust mental health and overall well-being.

Discover more: https://cmha.ca/resilient-minds

Understanding brain injuries is a great way to contribute to a mentally healthy and safe community. This infographic certainly helped us understand brain injuries better and we hope this sparks an interest to deep dive even more :) We value and appreciate the Nanaimo Brain Injury Society 's continued commitment to educate the public while they support folx who have been affected by a brain injury ♥️

The human brain is a complex thing! It's made up of several parts, with each having Its own important functions. Our brain controls our ability to balance, talk, walk, eat, heart rate, blood circulation, and breathing. Our brains are also what power our ability to speak, process and remember information, feel emotions, and make decisions. Here are the different parts of the brain, along with just some of the examples that would happen if an injury occurs to them.

While some of these problems may seem less severe than others, the overall point is that an injury to any section of your brain can have consequences that will be changing the survivor and their families life forever, no matter if they are minimal or severe.

One love

The Nanaimo CAT community action team on the lethal drug crisis has put a lot of work into planning a day for our community to gather to learn, advocate and memorialize. August 31st is Overdose Awareness Day, and we encourage each and every one of you to show up and be seen. It's important for people use use substances to see the support and for all levels of government to understand our policies and resources for substance use matter to our community at large.

Come visit us :) We'll have a booth and are immensely honoured to be a part of such an incredible community of care that the Nanaimo CAT team has gathered.

A beautiful way to celebrate and experience our region's traditional Coast Salish culture, past and present. We couldn't recommend this exhibit enough!

There is lots of great art in our neighbourhood! After a visit to the Gallery pop on down to Nanaimo Museum to see their current feature exhibit, 'stem ‘al’u ‘u’ ni xe’xe: What is Sacred?'. Curated by friend-of-the-gallery Eliot White-Hill, Kwulasultun this exhibition explores the past, present and future of Coast Salish art, highlighting a selection of artists from Snuneymuxw and other nations of the mid-island region.

https://nanaimomuseum.ca/featured-exhibit/wis/