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Campaign to connect the dots

June 2nd, 2011 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (0 Comments)

Jean Oliver is working to highlight the gaps in mental health services by organizing an event that will ‘connect the dots’

Victoria resident Jean Oliver is planning an awareness event that will see 1,200 volunteers stand on white dots that stretch from the B.C. Legislature building to the Royal Jubilee Hospital on September 10th, 2011. She wants to raise awareness of gaps in mental health services within the capital region—on World Suicide Prevention Day. Jean borrowed the idea from a rally held in New Brunswick last December.

Jean struggled for years to get mental health help for herself and her children. She told the Victoria Times Colonist that to say that services are inadequate is being kind…“the services don’t exist.” (more…)

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On smoking and mental illness

May 26th, 2011 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on On smoking and mental illness)

A look at the ethics of smoking bans in psychiatric facilities and the dynamics of a consumer-driven stop-smoking program 

According to the World Health Report 2001, people with psychiatric illnesses are about twice as likely to smoke as others; those with schizophrenia and alcohol dependence are particularly likely to be heavy smokers, with rates as high as 86%. A 2000 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that individuals with psychiatric illnesses had a smoking rate of 41% compared with 22.5% in the general population, and estimated that 44% of all cigarettes smoked in the United States are consumed by people with psychiatric illnesses. (more…)

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Gambling addiction is a health issue

March 17th, 2011 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on Gambling addiction is a health issue)

Dr. Shao-Hua Lu on increased gambling exposure and how it could cause a spike in gambling addictions

Gambling problems share many similarities with other addictive disorders. However, there are no visible signs or physical changes that will indicate a gambling problem. Instead, there are common behavioural, emotional, financial and health signs. Problem gambling is not just about losing money. Gambling problems can affect a person’s entire life. [Source: CAMH]

Dr. Shao-Hua Lu, a psychiatrist specializing in addictions, recently told The Straight.ca that the expansion of casinos such as the one proposed for B.C. Place increases the risk of children becoming gamblers later on in life.  A study called Decoding British Columbian Youth and Gambling [opens to PDF] has suggested that there is a link between a parent’s gambling activity and their child’s attitude toward—and participation in—gambling. (more…)

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Investigating BD and creativity

March 17th, 2011 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on Investigating BD and creativity)

Bipolar disorder is often characterized by periods of highly creative thoughts and behaviours

Bipolar disorder (which was once called “manic depression”) is a condition characterized by repeated episodes of depression and abnormally elevated mood. Although bipolar disorder has been associated with disability and poor quality of life, it is also, for some people, associated with positive aspects of life, such as increased creativity. Over half a million Canadians have BD. (more…)

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On surviving anti-gay bullying

March 10th, 2011 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (0 Comments)

Jordan Rada and Frank Figueroa survived anti-gay bullying in school and now speak out to help others

Pink Shirt Day was recently observed at schools in Nanaimo and across Canada. The now-annual event was inspired by Nova Scotia high school students David Shepherd, Travis Price and their teenaged friends, who in 2007 organized a high-school protest in support of a Grade 9 boy who was being bullied—for wearing pink to school. They took a stand against bullying by distributing pink T-shirts to all the boys in their school.

Homophobia in schools is associated with bullying behaviours. A Canadian study found that 37% of gay and lesbian youngsters felt like outsiders at their schools and that a quarter of gay and lesbian youths in Canada have attempted suicide at least once.  [Source: Alliance busts gay stereotypes, Nanaimo Daily News] (more…)

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SWAN collective keeps art accessible

March 10th, 2011 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (0 Comments)

Local gallery appeals for funds so its programs for all people, including those with disabilities, are available

Start With Art Nanaimo (SWAN) opened a studio across from the Nanaimo train station in 2009 called Studio 366. In the past year the studio has grown in use with art shows, classes, open studio times, rentals, and more. The artists’ collective had responded to a growth in interest among those working in the disability field who were using art in their practice.

Start With Art Nanaimo has a core group of board members and a growing membership that supports the founding principle that a community becomes stronger through art. SWAN aims to make art an integral part of the lives of people with disabilities, and to promote the work of artists with disabilities. (more…)

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