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Matt Dunae on how hip hop saved him

February 16th, 2012 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on Matt Dunae on how hip hop saved him)

Dedicated, passionate hip-hop artist learned to conquer his demons of addiction and poverty and shine through with music

Hip-hop artist Matt Dunae—who performs as SirReal—has credited his involvement with music for helping him to overcome the demons of addiction and poverty. He has also shared his experiences with loss (his older brother, Nick, died by suicide in 2007) through music and by performing at the Soles Remembering Souls event in Nanaimo. Sirreal boldly laces his lyrics with the “die-hard truths of reality and its consequences”, whether they be positive or negative. And he exemplifies strength and resilience with his devotion to family and community in both his actions and his lyrics. (more…)

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Learning about therapeutic communities

February 16th, 2012 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (0 Comments)

People live in organized and structured environments to promote change, support a drug-free life in outside society

Therapeutic communities are drug-free environments in which people with addictions and other problems can live together in an organized and structured way. The community environment promotes change and can make a drug-free life possible. A number of therapeutic communities are operating on Vancouver Island. A symposium in Nanaimo will provide an overview of therapeutic communities and provide opportunities for partnerships to explore the development of therapeutic communities. (more…)

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Testing housing first for chronic alcoholics

February 16th, 2012 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on Testing housing first for chronic alcoholics)

A study shows that nonabstinence-based housing does not enable alcohol use, but actually decreases it

A controversial project using a housing-first approach with chronically alcoholic homeless people in Seattle has been shown to decrease overall alcohol consumption levels. The program, which is funded by the City of Seattle, allows homeless shelter residents to continue to use alcohol, with an overall goal to reduce both alcohol use and alcohol-related problems. Now a study has found that the approach results in “across-the-board decreases in alcohol consumption and problems”, according to lead researcher Susan Collins. (more…)

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Not a choice, not a phase, it’s a disease

February 9th, 2012 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on Not a choice, not a phase, it’s a disease)

Eating disorders are serious mental illnesses, and there isn’t enough care, treatment, and support available to help

A province-wide advocacy group working on behalf of adults with eating disorders recently met with the British Columbia minster of health. The meeting coincided with the government’s review of services available at the community level in B.C.’s health authorities.

Eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of all mental illnesses, with 10 to 20 per cent of people affected dying from complications. The Advocacy for Adults with Eating Disorders group told B.C.’s health minister that there aren’t enough supports or treatment options for people struggling with eating disorders in the province. (more…)

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What lies beyond the macho man?

February 9th, 2012 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (0 Comments)

The all-powerful protector and provider stereotype pressures men to conform, powerless to face modern social challenges

From first-ever university courses to academic conferences,an increasing interest in the concept of “men’s studies” is being fueled by the fact that race and class have made historical power formulas far more complex—and that patriarchal models of understanding are being gradually replaced by the irrelevance of gender in postmodern times.

Marc Lafrance, who teaches about men and masculinity as part of several courses on gender and sexuality, believes we need to look beyond the power and destructiveness of masculinity—and see that masculinity “as a structure, as a lived experience, can also be fundamentally disempowering to men.” (more…)

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My faith, my community—a dialogue

February 9th, 2012 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on My faith, my community—a dialogue)

While various religions may hold differing attitudes toward worldliness, they still have obligations to their neighbours

The Central Vancouver Island Multicultural Society will host an  interfaith bridging dialogue called “My Faith, My Community: Taking Action Together” on February 18, 2012. The dialogue is based on the fact that while religions may have a differing attitude to worldliness, they also have obligations towards neighbours. They need to do more to be proactive—to give to the community. The event brings diverse people together for a facilitated exchange around issues of social justice and civil engagement from the point of view of their faith. (more…)

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