Vancouver Island Mental Health Society

Comment: It's not the staff's job to call out drug dealers on Pandora It’s not the job of those working in the safe injection site to be calling the police every time they see these transactions occurring.

"It’s perplexing to me to see #Victoria 's chief of police having to launch a deep undercover operation to figure out that there are drug dealers on the 900-block of #Pandora. Anyone who has eyes in their head can see that — that’s no surprise" #comment #BC www.timescolonist.com/opinion/comm...

I wallowed in booze for four decades. Here’s what five sober years have taught me To give up drinking once seemed unthinkable – and when I finally made the leap, it didn’t go quite as expected

I wallowed in booze for four decades. Here’s what five sober years have taught me

From this week's program:

vancouverislandmentalhealthsociety.org/podcast/obse...

@vimhs.bsky.social

UPDATE: Wesley Ridge fire doubles in size as more evacuation orders & alerts issued NANAIMO - The number of people out of their homes has increased as a fire in the hills above Cameron Lake cont...

New evacuation orders & alerts are in place for the Wesley Ridge fire, as the northeastern flank moves closer to area homes.

The fire is estimated to be 245 hectares in size.

#Nanaimo #Parksville

nanaimonewsnow.com/2025/08/01/e...

Island Health's new fatigue policy is fuelling staff shortages and burnout, say union leaders | CBC News Staffing shortages in health care have been a chronic issue since the pandemic, but new restrictions on overtime in the Vancouver Island health district is making the problem worse, according to union...

"Staffing shortages in #healthcare have been a chronic issue since the pandemic, but new restrictions on overtime [in] #VancouverIsland 's health district is making the problem worse, according to union leaders representing health-care workers" #BC #Canada www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

How 'eco improv' can help manage climate anxiety | CBC News Anaïs Pronovost-Morgan mashed together the arts and climate for her master’s degree, proving that improv could help teenagers come out of their shells and deal with difficult feelings. Now, she’s help...

"Pronovost-Morgan, who's been an improv actor for 8 years, says she started #ecoimprov to help herself work through her own feelings about #climatechange ...coming up with climate-related prompts for acted-out scenes...prompts to dig into specific emotions" www.cbc.ca/news/science...

Roots of Empathy blooming in Vancouver Island classrooms 5 schools in the Cowichan Valley participating in program teaching pro-social behaviour through interaction with infants

"What is compelling is that over the year that Roots of #Empathy operates in the classroom, there is a noticeable increase in #prosocial behaviour, and a notable decrease in #antisocial behaviour" #VancouverIsland #BC #BritishColumbia #Canada www.vancouverislandfreedaily.com/community/ro...

Local run clubs in Victoria offer new ways to combat social isolation More than just a run – Notorious Run Club offers Victoria locals a chance to connect and belong

" #Loneliness isn’t just anecdotal...a study shows more than half of British Columbians said they felt lonely, sometimes or always...That sense of #socialisolation, defined as having few social contacts or meaningful relationships, is a growing challenge." #Victoria www.vicnews.com/community/lo...

B.C. paramedics union raises alarm after record number of suicides this year The Ambulance Paramedics of B.C. union says there have been a record number of suicides in its members this year, and is calling for support.

“We are witnessing unprecedented levels of #mentalhealth and #wellness claims amongst our members, and now, a significant and heartbreaking increase in #suicides,” says Jason Jackson, president of the Ambulance Paramedics of #BC | @apbc873.bsky.social #BritishColumbia cheknews.ca/b-c-paramedi...

The broadcast version of this week's program is online now and can be found here:
vancouverislandmentalhealthsociety.org/podcast/peop...

@vimhs.bsky.social

Roughly 5 people died each day from toxic drugs in B.C. in May, June BC Coroners Service data now includes an occupation industry page

"The #BC Coroners Service's latest numbers on toxic drug #overdoses for May and June, for the first time, include the deceased person's #occupation." #BritishColumbia #Canada www.campbellrivermirror.com/news/roughly...

Victoria business donates over 5,000 jars of peanut butter to Mustard Seed Merry Maids dropped off 5,650 jars to the food bank on Wednesday

"Merry Maids is helping #Victoria 's hungry one jar of peanut butter at a time. On July 30, the local cleaning company delivered 5,650 jars of peanut butter to the Mustard Seed #foodbank on Queens Avenue" #foodsecurity #VancouverIsland #BritishColumbia #BC www.vicnews.com/local-news/v...

Comment: Consumption sites are part of the solution It exists because people are dying alone, every day, from a poisoned drug supply. Because prevention, compassion and public health matter more than optics.

"Trained staff and peer workers are on hand to reverse #overdoses, provide #healthcare and #mentalhealth support, and connect people with long-term #treatment and #housing." #supervisedconsumption #overdoseprevention #comment #opinion #VancouverIsland #BC www.timescolonist.com/opinion/comm...

After feds cut funding, B.C. keeps ‘safer supply’ programs running — for now | Globalnews.ca Between 2017 and March 2025, Health Canada says it funded $126 million through its Substance Use and Addictions Program, money it stopped providing this spring.

" #Vancouver Coastal Health’s Safer Alternative for Emergency Response (SAFER) Initiative & Kilala Lelum, and 3 projects in the #VancouverIsland Health Authority (AVI SAFER in #Victoria, #Nanaimo, and the #NorthIsland) “remain operational...”" #safersupply globalnews.ca/news/1131333...

Cosmo, a good boy, left a paw print on B.C.'s guide and service dog laws Ten years ago, Cosmo was cited in B.C.'s legislature during debate about service animal rules

"In #BC, #guidedogs ...assist people living with visual impairments, while #servicedogs provide hearing & mobility assistance... open & close doors, retrieve & carry items, & provide support to people living with #autism, operational #stressinjuries, or [ #PTSD ]" www.pqbnews.com/home2/cosmo-...

Mario Canseco: Fewer Canadians see homelessness as a crisis, according to poll Mental health support, zoning reform, and housing investment remain popular, even as encampment fatigue grows

"When asked about causes [of #homelessness] , 45% blame a lack of #affordablehousing while 44% point to #addiction & #mentalhealth issues. Canadians tended to place less blame on other factors such as poverty...economy...personal choices...& trauma..." www.bowenislandundercurrent.com/economy-law-...

Victoria prepares for its vulnerable residents ahead of winter weather Victoria councillors want to check in on neighbouring municipalities' plans to provide shelter in extreme cases

"#Victoria councillors want to check in with neighbouring municipalities on their plans to provide #shelter for #unhoused people during #extremeweather... voicing frustration over the amount of shelter beds the city provides compared to primarily #Saanich" www.peninsulanewsreview.com/local-news/v...

Comment: Health is the cornerstone of Canada’s economy Health is an essential economic cornerstone to Canada’s future prosperity — we must build on the current atmosphere of federal provincial co-operation.

"A prosperous country is contingent on the #health of its citizens. A resilient, equitable, & effective #healthsystem is a cornerstone of a cohesive society & productive economy. #Canada 's health system is underperforming by international standards" #comment www.timescolonist.com/opinion/comm...

B.C. RCMP, provincial government announce new 12-member human trafficking unit SURREY — The head of the British Columbia RCMP major crime section says human trafficking is "grossly under-reported" but he expects to see more cases after the establishment of a specialized policing...

"The head of the #BritishColumbia RCMP major crime section says #humantrafficking is "grossly under-reported" but he expects to see more cases after the establishment of a specialized #policing unit to combat trafficking of vulnerable #victims" #BC #Canada www.timescolonist.com/national-new...

Fire danger ratings pushed to ‘extreme’ for Nanaimo & Oceanside NANAIMO - An extended stretch of hot, dry weather is pushing fire danger ratings to their maximum levels.New d...

Most of eastern Vancouver Island is now under an 'extreme' fire danger rating ahead of the August long weekend, meaning an increased risk of fire starts and quick spread of flames.

#Nanaimo #Parksville

nanaimonewsnow.com/2025/07/31/f...

ICYMI

A report from the John Howard Society of Ontario highlighted the issue of release from jail into homelessness, and the significant percentage of people in provincial jails who are there on remand.

Listen:
vancouverislandmentalhealthsociety.org/podcast/rele...

@vimhs.bsky.social

Homeless population in Metro Vancouver rising, especially those unsheltered: report A new federally funded report shows the homeless population in Metro Vancouver has risen nine per cent over the last two years, with the largest increase in those living outdoors without protection fr...

"A new federally funded report shows the #homeless population in Metro #Vancouver has risen nine per cent over the last two years, with the largest increase in those living outdoors without protection from the elements." #BC #unsheltered #Canada www.ctvnews.ca/vancouver/ar...

PACE Is Closing After 31 Years of Supporting Sex Workers | The Tyee The result will be a dangerous lack of supports and resources for highly marginalized people, community members warn.

"PACE Society, a non-profit that supports sex workers in #Vancouver 's #DowntownEastside, is closing after 31 years ...because of “operational challenges, funding gaps, and debts,” as well as its charitable funding status being revoked" #BC #BritishColumbia thetyee.ca/News/2025/07...

Nurses hope new pediatric psych unit at Vernon hospital addresses their safety concerns | Globalnews.ca According to the BCNU, concerns have repeatedly been expressed to Interior Health (IH) but have been falling on deaf ears, even prompting nurses to refuse to work there.

"The union stated there have been violent youth patients, dealing with #mentalhealth and #substanceuse issues, admitted to the pediatric unit over the years and that has created a potentially unsafe situation for medical staff and patients..." #Vernon #BC globalnews.ca/news/1131004...

Kelowna issues bylaw warning to deter unhoused campers from church lot | CBC News A church in Kelowna received a bylaw violation warning from the city because unhoused people were camping overnight on its lot. The president of the church says that volunteers who kindly move people ...

"A Unitarian Church in #Kelowna received a bylaw warning...because #unhoused people were #camping overnight in the church lot...volunteers who kindly move people along from the site are burning out, and the church faces up to $500 a day in fines..." #BC www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

‘Very exciting:’ Nanaimo’s Westwood Lake Park more accessible, new bathrooms nearly complete NANAIMO - Improvements to Westwood Lake Park are making the area more accessible for all. While phase one upgr...

"Improvements to [ #Nanaimo 's] Westwood Lake Park are making the area more #accessible for all...Improved #accessibility was a big focus during the upgrades, with wheelchair user Haley Young thrilled to be able to enjoy her local beach with ease." #VancouverIsland nanaimonewsnow.com/2025/07/30/v...

Nanaimo councillor apologizes for comment about shipping people experiencing homelessness to MLA's home Coun. Paul Manly said his remarks were 'irresponsible'

" #Nanaimo Coun. Paul Manly offered an apology to MLA Sheila Malcolmson after a frustrating city council debate last week prompted him to suggest busing people experiencing #homelessness and #addictions outside her home" #VancouverIsland #BC #BritishColumbia www.nanaimobulletin.com/local-news/n...

Sidney seniors facility proposed as extreme weather shelter for the unhoused Changes to the OCP and zoning bylaw would allow a space at Wakefield Manor to serve as an emergency shelter

"A seniors housing facility in #Sidney could be the location for the town’s extreme cold weather #shelter ...providing a haven for individuals experiencing #homelessness." #VancouverIsland #BC #BritishColumbia www.peninsulanewsreview.com/local-news/s...

Nanaimo pushes B.C. Housing for 'sober housing' options The motion called on B.C. Housing to consider converting its proposed 50-unit supportive housing project at 250 Terminal Ave. to a sober housing project.

"Council voted unanimously...to have Mayor Leonard Krog write to Housing Minister Christine Boyle to reiterate #Nanaimo 's “strong desire to see B.C. Housing contemplate #soberhousing for those who qualify for #supportivehousing and who are in #recovery.”" www.timescolonist.com/local-news/n...

'Be better': Victoria Police criticizes Island Health interaction with drug trafficker on consumption site doorstep Undercover officers saw a man in a lawn chair selling cocaine to a lineup of customers on the stoop of an Island Health consumption site, police say.

“A service provider is coming out, engaging with this drug trafficker while this drug trafficker is making transactions. It’s unprofessional. I’m extremely disappointed to see that,” said #Victoria Police Chief Del Manak | #VancouverIsland #BC cheknews.ca/be-better-vi...