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Author Archives: pfmarchive

A team approach to wellness

March 18th, 2010 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on A team approach to wellness)

Self-management and community-based research take centre stage

In 1997, while attending university, Michael Crane was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. In recent years he has been working to try and find new and progressive ways to help others who have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, their families and friends, and people who work in the field of mental health.

Michael is a member of the Collaborative RESearch Team—CREST.BD— which studies psychosocial issues in Bipolar Disorder. CREST.BD is a team of researchers, clinicians, and consumers dedicated to developing knowledge about bipolar disorder using a community-based research approach. (more…)

Helping and healing

March 18th, 2010 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on Helping and healing)

How the father of orthomolecular psychiatry transformed the lives of thousands

The late Dr. Abram Hoffer MD, PhD, was a Canadian orthomolecular psychiatrist and researcher. Dr. Hoffer and his co-workers were instrumental in the discovery that megadoses of vitamin B3 (nicotinic acid/niacin) were therapeutic for schizophrenia and can be used to lower cholesterol levels. The discovery, which was published in 1955, is credited with the initiation of a new paradigm in nutritional medicine—the use of vitamins for treatment and not just for prevention of disease. (more…)

People’s Corner

March 11th, 2010 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on People’s Corner)

Paul Beard wonders why the school system isn’t doing more about bullying

Paul Beard considers himself to be a survivor of bullying. Now, 30 years later, the former Woodlands Secondary student wonders what’s changed—and asks, “Why is this still happening?” He approached CHLY and asked to speak publicly.

We speak with Paul Beard, in a “People’s Corner” segment, about his recent editorial letter and his feelings about the issue.

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A whole family response to mental illness

March 11th, 2010 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on A whole family response to mental illness)

A local Nanaimo organization is about to launch a program for family members and friends of people experiencing mental illness

A ten session education program for family and friends of people with serious and persistent mental illnesses begins April 7, 2010 in Nanaimo. The course deals with five major mental health disorders: schizophrenia, clinical depression, bipolar, anxiety, and obsessive compulsive disorders.

The series provides support, awareness, and tools for problem-solving, advocating and coping. (more…)

Mental illness and the family experience

March 11th, 2010 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on Mental illness and the family experience)

Susan Inman’s memoir, After Her Brain Broke, Helping My Daughter Recover Her Sanity, has been recommended by leading organizations advocating for families coping with mental illnesses

No parent ever wants to see their child develop a chronic medical disability. But, when it is one that is so misunderstood by society as is schizophrenia and other serious mental illnesses, it is even more traumatic. Now, a new book called After her brain broke: Helping my daughter recover her sanity documents the experiences of a young woman and her family in the difficult journey to recovery. (more…)

One family’s struggle with eating disorder

March 4th, 2010 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on One family’s struggle with eating disorder)

Nanaimo’s Samantha Dubinsky finally admitted to hospital amid scarcity of appropriate care

Bryan Dubinsky went public last month with the struggle he and his daughter Samantha were facing trying to find help from a provincial health system they described as failing their needs. Bryan told reporters that “The fact is, she’s dying as a result of her not getting treatment.” Since that first report, Samantha has been admitted to Vancouver’s St. Paul’s hospital, which is the only medical facility in the province that provides comprehensive treatment to people with eating disorders who are over 17 years of age. (more…)