Focus on a major preventable cause of premature death
Suicide is a leading cause of death for people worldwide, and one of the three leading causes of death for young people under 25. Suicide has biological, cultural, social and psychological risk factors but despite its often complex origins, suicide can be prevented. World Suicide Prevention Day is an opportunity for all sectors of the community to focus public attention on the unacceptable burden and costs of suicidal behaviours and promote understanding about suicide and highlight effective prevention activities. (more…)
Fifteen Métis communities across British Columbia were funded this summer to create a variety of youth projects. The projects focused on life skills, health, and personal, cultural, community and leadership development, among other objectives. Danielle Welch, with Mid-Island Métis Nation in Nanaimo, organized an interactive and educational camp on Vancouver Island. The culturally-focused camp was the first initiative of its kind and attracted 16 youths from Victoria to Courtenay. [Source: Nanaimo Daily News] 
Curtis Brick died last month after lying in the sun at a Vancouver park on one of the hottest days the city had seen all summer. Curtis Brick was a homeless aboriginal man. Though the park was filled with people, he lay for seven hours until an aboriginal outreach worker intervened and called 911. Now questions about the way Curtis Brick was treated by emergency personnel has advocates calling for a coroner’s inquiry. 
The British Columbia Medical Association has called for a full continuum of care for addictions in B.C. A policy paper released earlier this year also recommends that addiction be officially recognized by government as a chronic illness.
On Saturday August 8th, 2009, members of Nanaimo’s Diver Lake Community, and other neighbours, were invited to a block party called Neighbours Being Neighbours. It was hosted by Columbian Centre Society along with a large group of community and business partners including the Nanaimo Theatre Group and Surfside Recovery House. 
The Clemente Course in the Humanities, first offered at Bard College in the U.S., grew out of the disturbing fact that many low-income residents have had limited access to college education and no opportunity to study the humanities. Since its introduction to Vancouver Island University, the course teaches literature, philosophy and art history to people at risk of homelessness, physical and mental illness and addiction. The Clemente concept is based in part on the belief that the humanities are key to fostering citizenship. 