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An award for mental health activism

December 8th, 2011 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on An award for mental health activism)

Ruth Ruth Stackhouse, a Mad Pride pioneer, is recognized by the City of Toronto for her outstanding work

Ruth Ruth Stackhouse is a proud member of the psychiatric survivor community and a long-standing social and health activist. Her extensive community work includes organizing Mad Pride, establishing The Friendly Spike Theatre Band, working with anti-violence education, and academic research work on a project about the exploitation of mental hospital patient labour called Out From Under. (more…)

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Out of mind and into creativity

November 10th, 2011 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on Out of mind and into creativity)

Art and mental health symposium tackles the deep-seated social ignorance and stigma accompanying mental illness

Out of Mind—Into Creativity is a symposium co-sponsored by Artbeat, a Winnipeg gallery focused on mental health and art, and the Winnipeg Art Gallery. The event will explore the relationship between individual creativity and artists’ mental health, shedding light on the links between social inclusion and the participatory arts. It also provides a forum for subverting the myths, stereotypes, and stigma that continue to surround discussions of mental illness. (more…)

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After the ruling, what’s next?

October 6th, 2011 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on After the ruling, what’s next?)

The Insite decision could signal a fundamental change in the way Canadian society approaches and deals with addiction

The Supreme Court of Canada’s decision of September 30, 2011 regarding the continuation of the Insite supervised injection site has been seen as a victory for harm reduction policies and provincial and individual rights. It has also been portrayed as a repudiation of the Harper government’s focus on incarceration and punishment as an approach for dealing with drug-related social and health problems…a triumph of reason over ideology.

Now a larger question looms. What impacts might this decision have beyond the Vancouver supervised injection program—which is the only program of its kind in North America? It seems certain that ongoing ideological battles over harm reduction haven’t ended. But is it possible that the court’s decision reflects a fundamental change in the way Canadian society approaches and deals with addiction and its associated harms?

We look at the supervised injection program—and the court decision—with three guests. (more…)

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A unique invitation goes out

September 22nd, 2011 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on A unique invitation goes out)

As Nanaimo social housing projects experience predictable, continuing opposition, citizens are invited down to the 7-10

The City of Nanaimo’s 2008 homelessness action plan [opens to PDF] estimated there were anywhere from two to three hundred individuals sleeping outside or in their vehicles or makeshift shelters—and hundreds more living in unsafe or unstable conditions and vulnerable to losing their housing and becoming homeless. The situation had generated considerable concern for Nanaimo residents, government agencies, service providers and elected officials and led to a general recognition of the need for a collective response. (more…)

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Nontoxic approach to treating cancer

September 8th, 2011 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on Nontoxic approach to treating cancer)

Fighting Cancer presents overview of the ‘Gorter model’, the research behind it, and ways to strengthen natural immunity

The Gorter Model is described as an integrative, nontoxic approach to cancer treatment that mobilizes the immune system. It was developed by Robert Gorter, a medical doctor, who recovered from cancer by using nontoxic treatment and no chemotherapy or radiation. Gorter based his model on self-experience, extensive research, and decades of clinical practice.

Now Dr. Gorter and co-author Erik Peper, a professor from San Francisco State University, have written a book called “Fighting Cancer: Mobilize Your Immune System Using the Gorter Model.”  Fighting Cancer presents a clear overview of the Gorter model, the research behind it, and strategies for strengthening natural immunity. (more…)

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Suppressing schizophrenia

September 1st, 2011 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on Suppressing schizophrenia)

Mental health advocate Susan Inman says schizophrenia is invisible in Canada’s new mental health strategy

In 2007, the Government of Canada established a group called the Mental Health Commission of Canada to develop a national mental health strategy. The commission, headed by Michael Kirby, is due to release its strategy document in early 2012. A draft copy of that strategy [opens to PDF], not intended to be available to the public, is currently being finalized. (more…)

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