Brittany Willment remembers feeling apprehensive the first time she used the online tool called Kelty’s Key with one of her clients. “I thought, ‘Would I be able to provide therapy in a useful way? What if my email doesn’t work? How do I do this?' ” recalls the counsellor from Penticton's mental health and…
Gratitude is saying "thank you." But it's more than a thank-you to a friend for a favour or gift. Gratitude is saying thanks for everything that is important to you and good in your life. Gratitude is linked to well-being. Studies suggest that people who practice gratitude appear to be more optimistic, pleased with their…
What is self-care? It is any activity we do deliberately to take care of our mental, emotional, and physical health. It’s not an indulgence. Below are suggestions of small ways to incorporate self-care into your daily routine. Day 1: Unplug Turn off your TV, phone, computer, tablet, or any social media for that matter. Spend…
After more than a year of pandemic living, I was really looking forward to a "return to normal". But when the restrictions around public gatherings gradually started to be lifted, I felt immediate anxiety. Not being an anxious person or someone who typically worries, I wasn't prepared for the flood of negative and confusing emotions.…
We are IH is a recognition campaign to spotlight Interior Health employees and medical staff – through pictures and stories. Name: Rachel Thibault Job Title: Admin - Primary Care Supervisor, Manager Support for Mental Health and Substance Use (MHSU) Years of Service: 18 Worksite: Community Health & Services Centre Community: Kelowna Ancestral Territory: “Syilx” (Saay-ilks) /…
In the wake of a deadly rise in drug toxicity and overdoses, the care team at Vernon’s Downtown Mental Health and Substance Use Centre has been quietly saving lives.An invaluable support for more than 900 Vernon residents, the centre helps with *harm reduction, health services and social supports. Since opening on May 12, 2020, more…
COVID-19 has impacted each of us in many ways. One of the areas that we are monitoring closely is mental health. Mental health affects all of us. As we mark the 70th annual Mental Health Awareness Week I’d like to take this opportunity to recognize the toll that the ongoing pandemic is having on people’s…
We are honoured to share this submission for Mental Health Awareness Week from Kamloops-based nurse Shanoa Enns. On the surface Shanoa had everything - an exciting new career in nursing, a new partner, tons of friends and a loving family. But as her mental health declined, she found herself in a dark place. It was…
In homes, schools, sports arenas and workplaces across our region, someone is missing. Five years ago the increasing number of opioid overdoses prompted the Province to declare a public health emergency. Since then across Interior Health, more than 1,117* family members, friends, coworkers, teammates, neighbours and friends have been lost to overdose. Much has been…