qathet Division of Family Practice

Concussions may not be life threatening, but they can change your life. A concussion is a traumatic brain injury that happens when the brain is shaken within the skull. While most people recover within a month, healing can sometimes take longer, and those who experience repeated concussions, like some athletes, are at risk of more permanent brain damage. If you suspect you or someone around you has a concussion, the best thing to do is to rest and seek medical attention right away. Take it seriously - you only have one brain!

A very happy Labour Day long weekend to everyone from all of us here at the Division of Family Practice! If you need medical help over the weekend, please visit the Emergency Department at qathet General Hospital. Have a safe and enjoyable weekend!

It's the time of year when the fresh vegetables are at the farmers' market, the trees and bushes are starting to be filled with fruits and berries, and the zucchini bandits are sneaking onto your porch to leave squash behind! Did you know that, as well as tasting amazing, eating fresh whole foods can have a big impact on your mental health? Studies have shown that children who eat more nutrient-dense, non-processed foods don't need as many mental health interventions later in life, and even for adults, eating whole foods helps both the body and the mind. So go and eat some blackberries right off the bush - it's good for your brain!

Join us in making a difference for youth in our community! Meetings will start this fall. Email [email protected] if interested.

Today is International Youth Day! Young people are the future, and they face unique challenges when it comes to their health and wellbeing. That's why we're looking forward to the launch of Foundry here in qathet! Foundry is a province-wide network of integrated services for young people ages 12-24. Each location (there are over 20 active, with twelve more in development, including qathet) provides mental health care, substance use services, physical and sexual health care, youth and family peer supports, and social services. Stay tuned to learn more when Foundry qathet opens!

Today is International Self-Care Day. Self-care is not necessarily about getting a manicure or hanging out with the gang at the beach, but more about taking care of our own health. The International Self-Care Foundation defines seven distinct practices that make up self-care: knowledge and health literacy; mental wellbeing; physical activity; healthy eating; risk avoidance; good hygiene; and rational use of products and services like medicines, supplements, and health services. Today, why not take some time to think about what you do to take better care of your health? Maybe you can commit to wearing a hat and sunscreen when it's hot and sunny out (risk avoidance) or meditating for 15 minutes a day (mental wellbeing). How about getting some of our amazing local fresh fruit and eating that as a snack instead of chips (healthy eating)? Or go for a walk tonight (physical activity)! Whatever you do, try and make it part of your everyday life, and take care of your own health!

In hot weather, we need to stay hydrated, but what counts as water? Lots of things! In addition to just regular water, you can drink milk, juice and sports drinks (dilute these with water to lower the sugar content), and even coffee and tea! You can also get lots of hydration from fruits (watermelon is, perhaps not shockingly, 90% water), vegetables, oatmeal, yoghurt, soup, and smoothies. What doesn't count as water? Anything containing alcohol! So as tasty as a Townsite Brewery beverage is at the end of a day in the garden, you'll still have to drink water (or any of the above!) as well.

The weather continues to be hot, so be sure to take precautions to prevent heat injury! Hats are a great way to reduce heat to your body, and loose light clothing helps to keep you cool. Stay hydrated with water and hydrating foods (like watermelon!). And don't forget, if you need to cool down, head to an air conditioned cooling centre, like the Library or Town Centre Mall. Stay safe, everyone!

Applications are now open for certain groups of people for the Canadian Dental Care Plan! If you are over age 65, under age 18 (parents will have to apply!) or have a disability tax credit certificate, and you do not have dental insurance through your employer, you may qualify for the program. Learn more at https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/dental/dental-care-plan.html - dental health is health!

Today is National Injury Prevention Day. Did you know that preventable injury kills more Canadian children than any disease, and more youth than all other causes combined. Every day, 48 Canadians die and 634 are hospitalized because of injuries, and the annual cost of preventable injuries to the economy is over $29 billion. Learn more about how to prevent injuries today at parachute.ca/nipd

A happy Canada Day long weekend to everyone! Make sure it's a safe and healthy one. If you need any medical assistance, please visit the Emergency department at qathet General Hospital. And enjoy everything on offer in qathet this weekend!

On National Indigenous Peoples Day, we recommit to culturally safe health care and Indigenous participation in health care decisions and policy here in qathet. One of our strategic priorities is to "make our health system more culturally safe and accessible for Indigenous professionals and patients, and promote health equity in all our programs, projects, and services." We will continue to collaborate with Tla'amin Health, Vancouver Coastal Health, and others in order to fulfil this priority.

Did you know that listening to music has great health benefits? It's true! Listening to music can reduce stress and help you recover faster from stressful events. There's even some research that shows that listening to classical music can improve your brain power! And aren't we lucky here in qathet to be able to hear so many talented musicians during the starting next week? The daily master classes and limelight concerts are a great and inexpensive way to give your brain a bit of music therapy for the next couple of weeks, as well as supporting student musicians from across the Pacific region!

Today is World Environment Day! We are so lucky to live in this beautiful, clean, natural place, and it's up to all of us to make sure this land continues to sustain us through the future. Recycling, composting, and doing sustainable things every day can help. And of course, go out and enjoy everything the environment in qathet has to offer! Being out in the environment has great health benefits as well!

Did you know that being creative is great for your mental health? Activities like drawing, writing, singing, dancing, and other ways of working with your hands and your brain can help to relieve stress and anxiety, and can help with processing a traumatic event. Being creative also makes our minds feel good, and gives us a sense of accomplishment. So find a way to be creative regularly! Not only is it fun, but it's healthy!

It can be tough deciding when to go to the emergency room. Maybe you don't feel like you're sick enough, or maybe you're not sure if the ER is the best place to get your symptoms looked at, or maybe you're not comfortable going to the hospital. We have a poster that can help you access other resources if they're appropriate here on our website - https://bit.ly/qathetER - but remember, if you or someone you love is very sick or in crisis, don't wait. The ER is the best place to go in that situation.

Safe Boating Awareness Week starts today! As the weather leans more and more to summer, more of us will be out on the water, and it's a great time to remind ourselves how to stay safe. The number one tip from the ? Wear your lifejacket! 80% of Canadians who drown are not wearing their life jackets when they go in the water. It's the quickest and easiest way to boat safe!

Spring is here, and that means early fruits and vegetables are available! Did you know eating seasonal produce not only saves you money, but is better for you? Studies show that fresh-picked local food contains more vitamins and nutrients than shipped foods, tastes better, and supports farmers who live and work right here! At farm stands and the Farmers' Market, treat yourself to things like fresh asparagus (roasted with butter!), crunchy rhubarb (in preserves or pies!), and overwintered brassicas like cauliflower and broccoli (in your salad!).

National Nursing Week started on Monday, and we want to take this moment to express our appreciation for everything that nurses do! From nurses at the hospital, to those at the clinics, to those with the qathet Primary Care Network who support multiple clinics, and everywhere else nurses work in qathet, you make a huge difference! Thank you!

Happy International Day of the Midwife! This year's theme focuses on climate change and midwife care. Did you know health care services are responsible for 5% of greenhouse gas emissions globally? However, midwife care helps improve maternal health outcomes and ensures more babies are born alive, on time and healthy. Better health outcomes mean mothers and babies are less likely to need medical care, which reduces the use of medical resources and limits medical waste. qathet is lucky to have a great team of midwives here to take care of pregnant people in qathet - and the environment!

Reminder: We're developing a website that will help pregnant people in qathet learn more about the different pathways of pregnancy care, and we need the community's help! If you've been pregnant in the last five years, have time over the next two months for two two-hour meetings, and want to share your experience, please fill out the form at https://forms.office.com/r/uZG3RY9qu7 - we're looking for input on both the website design and organization and the clarity of the information that will be presented.

Happy National Physicians' Day! Thank you to all the physicians in qathet who work every day taking care of all of us.

Today is National Day of Mourning for those killed or injured on the job. In 2022, people in B.C. missed 3.99 million days of work due to work-related incidents and disease and there were 181 work-related death claims with WorkSafeBC. The top two industries with work-related injury and death claims were health care/social services and general construction. Remember, it's everyone's job to make sure everyone comes home safe and healthy from work! Do your part to make your workplace a safe and healthy one, so no one you know becomes a statistic.

We're developing a website that will help pregnant people in qathet learn more about the different pathways of pregnancy care, and we need the community's help! If you've been pregnant in the last five years, have time over the next two months for two two-hour meetings, and want to share your experience, please fill out the form at https://forms.office.com/r/uZG3RY9qu7 - we're looking for input on both the website design and organization and the clarity of the information that will be presented.

The sun is out, the birds are returning, and the water is... still cold! Our average water temperature right now is about 9 C, and that means if you're in it, you can expect loss of dexterity in about five minutes, and exhaustion and unconsciousness in 30 to 60 minutes, if you don't wear the proper gear for cold-water fun. Don't get hypothermia in the spring! Continue to be cautious around the water for another few weeks.

If you've been sneezing, had stuffy sinuses, and sore eyes lately, well, you're not alone! We have high pollen counts here in qathet right now, with trees like cedar and birch contributing to the particulate in the air (and on our vehicles, and pets, and...). If you're finding yourself reacting, be sure to take care of yourself and reduce your exposure! Take antihistamines if you have to, but also use a mask outdoors if you're very reactive, don't dry your clothes and sheets outside for a few more weeks, keep windows and doors closed so your inside air has less pollen, and change your clothes quickly after you do outside chores like gardening.

Tomorrow is Advanced Care Planning Day. We're luck in qathet to have a great organization like Four Tides Hospice Society to help qathet residents coordinate and plan for end of life care. You can still sign up for tomorrow's workshop!

Our next Advance Care Planning Workshop will be held on April 16th at 11am. Register today by emailing [email protected]

Did you know that there are both physical and mental health benefits to gardening? Gardening is a full-body workout and is considered a moderate-level activity. As well, eating fresh fruits and vegetables from your garden is great nutrition! There are also bacteria in the soil that help your body produce more seratonin, which helps with mental health. So get out there and play in the dirt; it's good for you!

Today is World Health Day. The World Health Organization chose this year's theme of "My Health, My Right" to champion the right of everyone, everywhere to have access to quality health services, education, and information, and to advocate for safe drinking water, clean air, good nutrition, quality housing, decent working and environmental conditions, and freedom from discrimination on a global level. Happy World Health Day!

It seems like spring is finally here, and the temptation to throw open the windows and do some spring cleaning is probably hitting some of us! As you're getting rid of dust bunnies and cobwebs, don't forget to also test and check your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors! If the alarms are battery-operated, make sure to change the batteries at least once per year. Working alarms and detectors are an important part of keeping your home safe and you healthy!