The second annual Bell Let’s Talk Day is coming up on Wednesday, February 8, 2012.
Recognising that simply talking makes a significant impact in breaking down the stigma attached to mental health, the campaign encourages people to “start the conversation” about mental health with friends, family and co-workers. For every text message and long distance call made by Bell customers that day, Bell will contribute 5 cents to programs dedicated to mental health. (more…)
George Anderson, in his first election, became the second African Canadian currently elected to municipal office in B.C.
George Anderson made history in Nanaimo last November after he was elected to City Council following a grassroots, low-cost and highly effective campaign—his first-ever. The Vancouver Island University student ended up in fourth place, ahead of seasoned political veterans. George Anderson’s only election promise—to bring down the average age of Nanaimo’s City Council—has already been kept. His election platform focused on strengthening the business community, consensus community building, and the development of a shared vision for the City. He’s currently the youngest elected politician in British Columbia and has been appointed to several City of Nanaimo committees, including the Social Planning Advisory Committee. (more…)
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A Vancouver Island take on black history, identity, and the community celebrations that will mark the month
Black History Month is an observance of the history of the African diaspora in a number of countries outside of Africa. Each year Canadians are invited to participate in Black History Month festivities and events that honour the legacy of black Canadians, past and present.
There is no single African-Canadian culture, for peoples of African origin represent a cultural mosaic as diverse as any in the world. [Source: Encyclopedia of Canada’s Peoples] But it’s hoped that during Black History Month Canadians can gain insight into the many and varied experiences of black Canadians and the vital role this community has played throughout our shared history. (more…)
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Estimates of people with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder in the adult prison population are as high as 50 to 80 per cent
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is an umbrella term used to describe the range of disabilities that result from prenatal alcohol exposure. It is the leading known cause of developmental disability in Canada.
The serious health, social and economic impacts of FASD are now being recognized. In the province of Alberta, for example, it’s estimated that half of all children in care have FASD; one study has estimated that half of all young offenders have the disability as well. FASD is also widespread among inmates in Canadian prisons. Although research suggests that up to half of the prison population has FASD, little has been done within corrections to address this problem. (more…)
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Jagrup Brar, nearing the end of his money, and living in SRO on the Downtown Eastside, is learning about poverty
On May 25, 2011, Jagrup Brar, MLA for Surrey-Fleetwood, B.C., received a letter from a group called Raise the Rates entitled ‘MLA Welfare Challenge’. The coalition, which is concerned about poverty, inequality and homelessness in British Columbia, was inviting the province’s MLAs to spend a month living on what an individual would receive on income assistance—$610 a month. Fast forward to January 2012, and Jagrup Brar—the only MLA who signed up for the month-long Welfare Challenge—has recently settled into an SRO living space on the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, and is running low on money. He’s noticeably thinner than he was at the start of the month. Jagrup Brar is blogging about his experiences online. (more…)
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C.G. Jung viewed dreams as offering a snapshot of our current mental condition, alerting us to problem areas
Carl Gustav Jung was a psychiatrist and the founder of analytical psychology. He is considered the first modern psychiatrist to view the human psyche as “by nature religious” and to make it the focus of exploration. Jung emphasized the individuation of a person. The process might be described as being all that we can be by uncovering the hidden parts of our personality through dreams, active imagination and self-observation.
A Nanaimo group interested in Jung’s approach to dream interpretation will hold a public lecture on the evening of Saturday February 4, 2012. (more…)
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