After five years of extensive consultation, the Mental Health Commission of Canada presents a first for the country
Changing Directions, Changing Lives is the first mental health strategy for Canada. Its purpose is to help improve mental health and well-being for all people living in Canada and to create a mental health system that can truly meet the needs of people of all ages living with mental health problems and illnesses and their families. It was released on May 8, 2012. (more…)
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…)
Estimates of people with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder in the adult prison population are as high as 50 to 80 per cent
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is an umbrella term used to describe the range of disabilities that result from prenatal alcohol exposure. It is the leading known cause of developmental disability in Canada.
The serious health, social and economic impacts of FASD are now being recognized. In the province of Alberta, for example, it’s estimated that half of all children in care have FASD; one study has estimated that half of all young offenders have the disability as well. FASD is also widespread among inmates in Canadian prisons. Although research suggests that up to half of the prison population has FASD, little has been done within corrections to address this problem. (more…)
187 members and 11 campaigns later, SocialCoast.org has grown and is beginning to make its impact felt
SocialCoast.org was established in spring 2011 to provide the Victoria region with an online hub—a social network—for community activism. Since the start, founder Eric Nordal and his partners have been working to fine tune the online portal and increase its presence and impact. 187 members and 11 campaigns later, SocialCoast.org is making a difference, helping socially conscious people to get informed, get connected, and get involved. (more…)
Non-profit groups are named as operators for two new social housing projects in Nanaimo, but will controversy fade?
Pacifica Housing and Nanaimo Affordable Housing Society, in partnership with Columbian Centre Society and Haven Society, have been selected as the successful non-profit providers to develop, manage and operate two new supportive housing developments for those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness in Nanaimo. The announcement came from B.C. Housing on November 30th. (more…)
Judy Graves’ next fight will be to ensure that homeless people actually get into the housing that is built for them
The City of Vancouver’s advocate for homeless people, Judy Graves, recently warned the provincial government of the consequences of not providing sufficient emergency shelter beds in the face of worsening weather and ongoing need. Housing Minister Rich Coleman has now confirmed that the province will pay for a new 42-bed shelter in the Marble Arch Hotel on Richards Street. Ongoing news stories and comments from the city and the province suggest a tug-of-war has been going on with regard to homelessness, shelters, and money for dealing with continuing needs. All that new social housing must negate the need for emergency shelters—or so the province’s thinking seems to suggest. (more…)
