mental health

San Francisco’s Street Crisis Response Team was created in 2020 to find meaningful solutions to homelessness and addiction. Victoria is in the process of creating a similar team, drawing on the lived experience of peers. (Courtesy San Francisco Department of Public Health)

Victoria peer-assisted crisis team looks to be difference-maker for mental health calls

Pilot project in development aims to offer alternative to police-only response by 2022

 

South Island Counselling director of administration Stacey Cronin, and acting director of clinical services Richard Sayad encourage residents to seek mental health care, as global and personal events weigh heavier than ever before. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)

Saanich counselling centre sees uptick in demand before back-to-school

Many experiencing fear and anxiety about personal, global issues

 

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Memorial Fund launched for Shirley woman who worked in mental health and disability support

The Mary Brown Memorial Fund is run by the Sooke and Juan de Fuca Health Foundation

 

St. John Ambulance therapy dog Fasken (centre) does his thing at a Victoria law office. Pre-pandemic, the four-legged volunteers visited facilities such as hospitals, care homes, schools, workplaces and more on a weekly basis. (Courtesy of St. John’s Ambulance B.C. & Yukon)

St. John Ambulance therapy dogs head back to work in B.C. Aug. 5

The collars are back on in time for Work Like a Dog Day

St. John Ambulance therapy dog Fasken (centre) does his thing at a Victoria law office. Pre-pandemic, the four-legged volunteers visited facilities such as hospitals, care homes, schools, workplaces and more on a weekly basis. (Courtesy of St. John’s Ambulance B.C. & Yukon)
Gymnast Simone Biles answers a question during an interview after a training session Tuesday, May 11, 2021, in Spring, Texas. (AP Photo / David J. Phillip)

Elliott: ‘We can all learn from her courage’: Simone Biles not alone in mental health struggle

It’s worth paying attention to people who best understand what Olympic gymnastic star is confronting

Gymnast Simone Biles answers a question during an interview after a training session Tuesday, May 11, 2021, in Spring, Texas. (AP Photo / David J. Phillip)
Lifeworks’ Mental Health Index measures current data against pre-pandemic benchmarks. (Pexels)

COVID-19 isolation has impacted mental health of 1-in-5 Canadians, survey finds

Report also found some workers are struggling with their employers’ unclear return to work plans

Lifeworks’ Mental Health Index measures current data against pre-pandemic benchmarks. (Pexels)
A program that is by peers, for peers, will expand reach for those in need of mental health support. (Pexels)

Victoria peer-led program provides training to improve quality of mental health services

Curriculum covers a wide range of topics, including family peer support and substance use

A program that is by peers, for peers, will expand reach for those in need of mental health support. (Pexels)
During an average year, the Esquimalt Neighbourhood House Society provides counselling for 250 adults but during the pandemic, the demand nearly doubled. (Pexels photo)

Esquimalt society receives grant for mental health support services

Ministry of Health and Addictions announces $85,000-investment into free counselling

During an average year, the Esquimalt Neighbourhood House Society provides counselling for 250 adults but during the pandemic, the demand nearly doubled. (Pexels photo)
A Muslim student wearing a mask with the colors of the pro-independence East Turkistan flag, holds a poster during a rally outside the Chinese Embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia, Thursday, March 25, 2021. About a dozen of students staged the rally calling to an end to alleged oppression against Muslim Uyghur ethnic minority in China’s region of Xinjiang. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)

‘I have to do my part’: Canadians across the country walking for a cause and to heal

Malik is one of several Canadians who are currently walking hundreds of kilometres uphill and downhill

A Muslim student wearing a mask with the colors of the pro-independence East Turkistan flag, holds a poster during a rally outside the Chinese Embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia, Thursday, March 25, 2021. About a dozen of students staged the rally calling to an end to alleged oppression against Muslim Uyghur ethnic minority in China’s region of Xinjiang. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)
Connections Place executive director Chris Forester (left) and Saanich Mayor Fred Haynes enjoy a discussion just outside the non-profit’s site on Oak Street at Saanich Road. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)

Funding from Saanich boosts non-profit’s mental health programs

Connections Place in Saanich helps clients through free workshops and support

Connections Place executive director Chris Forester (left) and Saanich Mayor Fred Haynes enjoy a discussion just outside the non-profit’s site on Oak Street at Saanich Road. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)
A sheriff’s car sits out front of the Capitol Theatre on Argyle Street in Port Alberni, where a coroner’s inquest into the 2016 death of 18-year-old Jocelyn George is taking place. (June 23, 2021) (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

Coroner’s inquest suggests creation of wellness centre in Port Alberni

Recommendation one of 24 made after B.C. teen’s death in 2016

A sheriff’s car sits out front of the Capitol Theatre on Argyle Street in Port Alberni, where a coroner’s inquest into the 2016 death of 18-year-old Jocelyn George is taking place. (June 23, 2021) (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)
The province is granting Anxiety Canada $555,000 to develop a series of mental health literacy videos, called Behind The Mask. (Unsplash)

B.C. to fund ‘Behind the Mask’ mental health video series for children, teens

The province is spending $555,000 on the digital awareness initiative in partnership with Anxiety Canada

The province is granting Anxiety Canada $555,000 to develop a series of mental health literacy videos, called Behind The Mask. (Unsplash)
Women affected by intimate partner violence and trauma will soon have access to more programs offered by Langford-based Bridges for Women, which is receiving provincial funding. (Adobe Stock)

Greater Victoria women’s support organization receives $50,000 for mental health programs

Women experiencing intimate partner violence to benefit from Bridges for Women’s expanded offerings

Women affected by intimate partner violence and trauma will soon have access to more programs offered by Langford-based Bridges for Women, which is receiving provincial funding. (Adobe Stock)
Island Savings kick-starts the Equipped to Heal campaign with $120,000. (Courtesy Victoria Hospitals Foundation)

Latest Victoria Hospitals Foundation campaign targets $1M for mental health

Goal is to outfit new 19-bed unit at Eric Martin Pavilion

Island Savings kick-starts the Equipped to Heal campaign with $120,000. (Courtesy Victoria Hospitals Foundation)
Rick Ruppenthal of Saltair will host a 12-hour talk-a-thon Friday, June 18 over Facebook live. (Photo submitted)

Talk-a-thon to focus on men’s mental health issues

Island man spearheading a campaign to generate more conversation during fundraiser

Rick Ruppenthal of Saltair will host a 12-hour talk-a-thon Friday, June 18 over Facebook live. (Photo submitted)
Conservative MP Tom Kmiec waves to the crowd during the Calgary Stampede parade in Calgary, Friday, July 8, 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Newborn daughter’s death inspires MP’s bill on bereavement leave for parents

Conservative MP Tom Kmiec says a day or two off not enough for some grieving parents

Conservative MP Tom Kmiec waves to the crowd during the Calgary Stampede parade in Calgary, Friday, July 8, 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
John Fred Jauck with one of this year’s birthday cards at the Trillium Highgate Lodge. (Kiernan Green / Victoria News Staff)

Greater Victoria man celebrates 103rd, looks back on life of educational, volunteer service

During the Second World War, Fred Jauck taught Air Force members math, trigonometry

John Fred Jauck with one of this year’s birthday cards at the Trillium Highgate Lodge. (Kiernan Green / Victoria News Staff)
Local service providers have been working hard through the pandemic to make sure youth aren’t falling through cracks in Greater Victoria’s mental health system. (Pixabay photo)

Mind the Gap: Meet the people working to keep kids alive

Greater Victoria youth in crisis impacting more than families

Local service providers have been working hard through the pandemic to make sure youth aren’t falling through cracks in Greater Victoria’s mental health system. (Pixabay photo)
Residents can register to move in any manner for the 2021 version of Ride Don’t Hide Victoria, raising funds for area mental health programs. (Don Descoteau/News Staff)

Choose your adventure as Ride Don’t Hide Victoria takes its turn online

Funds raised go toward Greater Victoria mental wellness programs

Residents can register to move in any manner for the 2021 version of Ride Don’t Hide Victoria, raising funds for area mental health programs. (Don Descoteau/News Staff)
The emergency department at Victoria General Hospital. Sarah and her daughter frequent the ER as they can’t find supports in the community. (Black Press Media file photo)

Mind the Gap: Children in crisis

Navigating Greater Victoria’s mental health system

The emergency department at Victoria General Hospital. Sarah and her daughter frequent the ER as they can’t find supports in the community. (Black Press Media file photo)