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“My mother was agoraphobic, which means she was often housebound”

February 12th, 2015 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on “My mother was agoraphobic, which means she was often housebound”)

0212PRIVATELIVES-blog480All parents are cowards by Michael Christie

GALIANO ISLAND, BRITISH COLUMBIA — I have broken my wrists, fingers, a tibia, a fibula, chipped a handful of teeth, cracked a vertebra and snapped a collarbone. I have concussed myself in Tallahassee, Fla., and Portland, Ore. I’ve skittered across the sooty hoods of New York cabs and bombed down many of San Francisco’s steepest avenues.

For many years I was a professional skateboarder. I first stepped on a skateboard at 11. The nomenclature — switch-stance frontside tailslide, kickflip to nose manual — was the language of my first friendships, with wild, strange boys who were as ill suited for school and team sports as I was.

Read the rest of this essay at The New York Times…

What The Bacteria In Your Stomach Have To Do With Your Physical And Mental Health

February 12th, 2015 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on What The Bacteria In Your Stomach Have To Do With Your Physical And Mental Health)

2015_GutBacteriaOf particular concern among scientists and the public is the effect that gut flora may have on mental health

Strange but true fact: Our bodies are made of more bacteria than human cells and contains trillions of microbes (bacteria and fungi). In fact, it’s estimated that the body is composed of 10 times more bacteria than human cells.

And the intestines are home to more bacteria than any other part of the body, including the skin. Now, scientists are devoting increasing amounts of time and resources to understanding the gut ‘microbiome,’ as the massive collection of bacteria and microbes is called — and the influence it may exert on the brain and body.

The National Institute of Health’s Human Microbiome Project, for instance, is devoting millions of research dollars to understanding the microorganisms living within the human ecosystem.

Read the rest of this article at The Huffington Post…

Bipolar Youth Action is a research project run for youth, by youth

February 10th, 2015 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on Bipolar Youth Action is a research project run for youth, by youth)

picture 610Youth will consult with other youth with bipolar disorder from across the region about their personal strategies for wellness and engage in mutual learning and knowledge exchange

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How to walk away from civilization

February 8th, 2015 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on How to walk away from civilization)

Picture 514Miles Olson built a ‘feral homestead’ as a squatter, foraging, hunting, gardening and scavenging among a group of like-minded individuals dedicated to living close to the land, in alignment with their values

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Social housing project is a ‘symbol of a community that is inclusive’ says Nanaimo mayor McKay

February 7th, 2015 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on Social housing project is a ‘symbol of a community that is inclusive’ says Nanaimo mayor McKay)

uplands image“Uplands Walk is a symbol of community that is inclusive,” said McKay. He listed economic benefits of social housing: “When people are in Uplands Walk, they will spend less time in the emergency department of our hospital.”

Nanaimo has added 33 new units of supported housing to put a roof over the heads of adults at risk of being homeless. Politicians and other dignitaries gathered for the ribbon-cutting for Uplands Walk.

Many faces have changed since the project was first unveiled to a storm of controversy ahead of the 2011 civic election. Then residents in the north Nanaimo neighbourhood feared discarded needles and open drug dealing from the housing facility.   Read the rest of this story at Nanaimo Daily News…

RELATED | Nanaimo Daily News: Supportive housing speaks of tolerance |

New supportive housing project celebrates official opening in Nanaimo

February 6th, 2015 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on New supportive housing project celebrates official opening in Nanaimo)

B9LuJWaCcAAX3t1by Hilary Eastmure

Nanaimo’s Uplands Walk supportive housing project officially opened its doors today. The $7 million development was made possible thanks to a partnership between the City of Nanaimo, BC Housing and Pacifica Housing.

It has 33 units for people who are homeless or at-risk of becoming homeless due to mental health or addiction issues. Karyn French, Executive Director of the Pacifica Housing Advisory Association, says the building caters to the needs of people working to overcome those challenges.  Read and listen to the rest of this story at 91.7 Coast FM…