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Island Health unveils new mobile app to help youth improve their mental health

September 19th, 2014 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on Island Health unveils new mobile app to help youth improve their mental health)

Amanda Reaume discovers there are few options available for her depressed friend

September 17th, 2014 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on Amanda Reaume discovers there are few options available for her depressed friend)

“For people like Jessica, who don’t have employee benefits and don’t have extra money to pay for treatment, there are few options”

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When Amanda’s friend Jessica (not her real name) lost her job and spent a year desperately seeking—but not finding—another, she fell into a deep depression. “I’m in debt. I’m having a hard time paying my bills. I can’t even get a job in fast food because they tell me I’m overqualified. I just feel like I can’t come back from this. That my life is over,” she told Amanda.

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Canadian vets marching for PTSD awareness reach a goal

September 17th, 2014 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on Canadian vets marching for PTSD awareness reach a goal)

Three veterans who served Canada in the former Yugoslavia—Steve Hartwig, Jason McKenzie, and Scott McIntyre McFarlane—have marched across the country to raise awareness of PTSD

picture 584When Steve Hartwig, Jason McKenzie and Scott McFarlane arrived in Antigonish, Nova Scotia on September 7, they paused at the downtown cenotaph honouring fallen soldiers from World War I. They were close to reaching the end of their march across Canada to raise awareness of PTSD among Canada’s veterans.

In WWI, the psychological distress of soldiers was attributed to concussions caused by the impact of shells; this impact was believed to disrupt the brain and cause “shell shock” (Bentley, 2005). Now, in 2014, there is greater understanding of what is called Post Traumatic Stress Disorder—but education and awareness is still lacking.

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Science shows something surprising about people who love to write

September 16th, 2014 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on Science shows something surprising about people who love to write)

Island Top Team to hold a second women’s self-defense workshop in Nanaimo

September 16th, 2014 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on Island Top Team to hold a second women’s self-defense workshop in Nanaimo)

A women’s self-defense workshop held in late August was attended by over 20 women, prompting organizers to plan for another in September

picture 585Vancouver Island Jiu Jitsu instructor (“professor”) Robert Biernacki and colleague Cathal Walsh offered a women’s self defense workshop in the late summer to introduce concepts related to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, considered to be among the most proven methods of self defense known. Media in both the U.S. and Canada have reported a signficant increase in demand among women for self-defense workshops and courses, and gyms, police departments and colleges are responding to the demand by offering courses to students and community members.

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Nob Hill neighbours have made progress in push to improve laneway

September 16th, 2014 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on Nob Hill neighbours have made progress in push to improve laneway)

A recent Wisteria Lane walk-through for city officials, politicians, the media and the public gave neighbours a chance to show the progress they’ve made

picture 582Nob Hill-area residents in Nanaimo, who live along a laneway they’ve named Wisteria Lane, have applied a systematic approach to discourage drug use and prostitution in the area. It’s called Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) and it focuses on good design and enhancements to the built environment.

Wisteria Lane residents Tanya and Doug Hiltz, Norman Abbey, and others hosted a walk-through for city officials, the mayor and members of Nanaimo city council, MLA Leonard Krog and the public on Saturday September 13, 2014 to show the progress that has been made.

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