Manitoba Substance Use and Addictions Awareness Week | Nov 24-30, 2024

Every year, Manitoba Substance Use and Addictions Awareness Week provides an opportunity for Manitobans from all walks of life to engage in meaningful discussions and explore solutions for addressing the harms caused by substance use and addictions.

Manitoba Substance Use and Addictions Awareness Week runs from Nov. 24-30, and the theme for 2024 is Forging Connections.

The theme acknowledges the power of working together and bringing different experiences, ideas, and opinions to address the challenges of substance use health.

It also challenges us to look for opportunities to collaborate with partners, communities and individuals to develop connections, identify common ground and work together to find effective solutions and actions we can all support.

Within Prairie Mountain Health (PMH), several addiction services are offered. They include Community-based Counselling, Family Programs, School Based Services, Youth Services, Education and Training, Non-Residential Treatment Programs, RE/ACT Program, In House Treatment Programs, MOST Clinic, RAAM Clinics, Impaired Driver’s Program, and Auricular Acupuncture. Addictions Services has 9 Community Office locations within Prairie Mountain Health and 2 In-House Treatment Centres.

How to Access Our Services:

Individuals wanting to attend community-based or in-house treatment programs must first meet with a Community Addictions Worker to complete the intake and assessment process. Information is gathered to determine the level of involvement with substance use and gambling, and information is provided for services available and recommended.

Currently, in the Brandon-Parkwood Community Office, intake services are available by phone appointments during the following times: Monday and Wednesday, 9 am to 4 pm and Friday, 9 am to noon. In-person drop-in intake appointments occur at 9:30 am on Fridays.  In all other locations (including Dauphin, Swan River, Virden, Rossburn, and Minnedosa), intake services are assigned to the next available counsellor and are scheduled appointments.

Should the client decide they are interested in accessing one of the in-house treatment programs, the community addictions worker will make the referral to the program.

Community Offices

Brandon – CEYS
  940 Princess Avenue, Brandon, MB, R7A 0P6
  204-729-3863

Brandon 7th Street Health Access Centre
  20 – 7th Street, Brandon, MB
  204-578-4800

Brandon Parkwood
  510 Frederick Street, Brandon, MB
  204-729-3838

Dauphin
  404-1st Ave NE, Dauphin, MB, R7N 1A9
  204-622-2021 **Travels to Roblin bi-weekly

Hamiota
177 Birch Ave E, Hamiota, MB R0M 0T0
204-859-4000  **Travels to Birtle, Rossburn, Russell, and Waywayseecappo on a weekly or bi-weekly basis

Minnedosa
  Court House, 70-3rd Avenue, Minnedosa, MB, R0J 1E0
  204-867-6102 |   204-867-5140
***Travels to Erickson, Neepawa and Carberry to provide services weekly or as needed.

Ste. Rose du Lac Health Centre
  Willard Monson House, 540 Central Ave E, Ste. Rose du Lac, MB R0L 1S0
  204-447-4040

Swan River
  126-6th Ave N, Box 141, Swan River, MB R0L 1Z0
  204-734-2030 |   204-734-9509

Virden
  283 Nelson Street W, Box 2500, Virden, MB, R0M 2C0
  204-748-4720 |   204-748-4721

In-House Treatment

Willard Monson House
28 day Co-ed Program
540 Central Ave | Box 490
Ste. Rose du Lac MB R0L 1S0
Phone: 204-447-4040
Fax: 204-447-4050

Parkwood
21 day Co-ed program & 6 week extended program (Recovery Beyond 21)
510 Frederick Street
Brandon MB R7A 6Z4
Phone: 204-729-3838
Fax: 204-729-3844

Camp Bridges 2024: Cold Toes and Warm Hearts

November 21^st, 2024, is Children’s Grief Awareness Day, a day dedicated to helping people learn about the ways they can support a grieving child.  In Canada, over 757,000 children will experience the death of someone in their extended family, with 1 in 14 experiencing the death of a parent or sibling. In recognition of Children’s Grief Awareness Day, the Prairie Mountain Health Palliative Care team would like to share information about our children’s grief program, Camp Bridges.

Camp Bridges 2024 began with a surprise late May snowstorm, but that didn’t stop 32 children and youth from attending grief camp. Despite the chilly weather, Campers enjoyed the whole camp experience, including a campfire with smores, staying up late into the night, giggling, and doing fun activities like ziplining and horseback riding.  While their toes were cold, their hearts were warmed with the knowledge that they were not alone in their experience of the death of someone that they love.

Camp Bridges is a children’s bereavement camp organized by the Palliative Care Program at Prairie Mountain Health.  It is open to any child in Manitoba, aged 7-15 years old, who is grieving the death of someone significant in their life. Camp Bridges provides a safe environment where campers can interact and share their feelings with other children in similar circumstances.  While the camp is not designed to provide grief therapy, Campers learn to understand their grief as a normal experience, recognize they are not alone and have the chance to “just be a kid again.”

In 2024, Camp Bridges was hosted at Circle Square Ranch, a beautiful Western-inspired campground with friendly animals and many fun activities.  Upon arrival, Campers were welcomed by smiling volunteers. They had the opportunity to choose from an assortment of donated comfort items, including a hand-made blanket/stuffy from Project Linus, a knitted hug scarf from Palliative Manitoba and a bag of camping goodies from Shine Through The Rain Foundation.  Campers said goodbye to parents and caregivers, who were sent home with a resource package to help them understand and support their child’s grief.

After checking in, Campers head to their cabins to unpack and get to know their cabin mates.  It is astonishing how quickly the children form bonds with each other by sharing their names and why they came to this special camp.  Campers are invited to create a picture frame and display a photo of their person on the Table of Memories.  This activity allows children to talk about the person who died, share favourite memories and form connections with other grieving children.  As they look upon the table, filled with photos of parents, siblings, grandparents, friends and other important people, they know they are not alone in the experience of losing someone special.

Camp Bridges offers everything expected from a summer camp, including ziplining, archery, mess hall meals, horseback riding, outdoor games and lots of laughter and fun.  Thankfully, the weather warmed up, and the Campers could enjoy all the different activities offered.  Sprinkled in alongside are memorial activities that teach children about grief, allow them to acknowledge their loss and find support in one another and camp volunteers. 

Memorial activities include creating a memory box, writing on HOPE stones and sewing a pillow made from their loved one’s clothing.  As an annual Camp Bridges tradition, a memorial service is held where children can light a candle for their special person in a space of shared reflection, empathy and support.  These activities help children maintain a continued connection with the person who died and let them know that death ‘ends life, but not love.’

Campers had the opportunity to participate in sessions to help them with grief, which included dog therapy, movement and breathwork exercises, and take-home coping skills stations. These activities help children connect to their emotions and express them through creative outlets, physical movement and improved grief literacy skills.  Children learn that grief is a natural and normal response to loss and that expressing their feelings can help. 

Finally, it was time to close out Camp Bridges with a butterfly release ceremony.  The sun shone brightly as the Campers and their families gathered in a large circle to release Monarch butterflies.  In that moment of watching the butterflies take flight, one could grasp the profound impact Camp Bridges had on these young grievers and their families.   

Camp Bridges is facilitated by a dedicated group of volunteers who give their time, energy and heart to create a warm, fun-filled atmosphere. Fourteen cabin leaders ensure Campers attend scheduled activities and provide care and guidance throughout the weekend. A second crew of ten volunteers help children sew memory pillows, a treasured keepsake that will comfort them for years to come. Volunteers are trained in recognizing and supporting the unique ways that children grieve. Finally, Camp Coordinators made up of staff from PMH Palliative Care, provide camp oversight and nursing duties for the weekend. If you are interested in volunteering with Camp Bridges 2024, please contact Carla Mitchell at 204-578-2310 or [email protected].  

Camp Bridges is thankful to all the special people who make this camp possible!  Due to the generous donations received, we can offer Camp Bridges free of charge for 40 campers each year.  In 2024, the number of applications received exceeded the available spots, highlighting the continued need for children’s bereavement support services.  We are grateful to the individuals, organizations, community service groups and palliative care volunteer committees who contributed financially.  If you want to donate to Camp Bridges, please contact Melissa Peters at 204-578-2340 or [email protected].  Income tax receipts are issued for donations.

To learn more about Camp Bridges or to find additional resources to support grieving children, visit our website.  Please note: Camp Bridges 2025 applications will be available in January 2025.

November is Falls Prevention Month

November is Falls Prevention Month; however, fall prevention is a priority all year long. Prairie Mountain Health has a Regional Falls Prevention and Management committee that works together to promote, create and educate on fall interventions and injury reduction strategies.  The team consists of managers, nurses, and staff from hospitals, personal care homes, home care, primary care programs, and members from therapy services, pharmacy, and Indigenous Health. 

Over the past few months, this team has been working hard to promote and educate staff on various ways to incorporate fall prevention into everyday life.  Through educational materials and fun activities, the region has been improving communication.  Neepawa Hospital, Shoal Lake Health Centre and Sandy Lake Personal Care Home were three facilities that participated in a fun “Spot the Hazards” activity where a simulated room with multiple “risks” was put in place for staff to “spot.” 

Staff at Sandy Lake PCH participated in a fall prevention activity called “Spot the Hazard” (pictured above).  Our rehabilitation aide and recreation worker arranged the activity.  All staff were encouraged to participate, and the response was great.  This was a fun learning exercise in which the staff could discuss with each other regarding how falls could be prevented.  There were two donated prizes, and the participants’ names were entered in the draw for the prize. 

How can you “spot the hazards” at home? Check out the Prevent Falls Check-Up – This online questionnaire helps you learn what puts you at risk of falling.  After answering each question, you will learn about your personal risk factors and what you can do to prevent falls and reduce injuries related to falls! For more information on falls prevention and resources such as checklists, videos, and exercises, check out PMH’s Falls Prevention Page!

National Grief and Bereavement Day: Remember, Reflect and Connect

The third Tuesday in November marks National Grief and Bereavement Day in Canada. Throughout November, culminating on November 19th, the Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association promotes the resources available to help Canadians on their grief journeys.  National Grief and Bereavement Day is an opportunity for Canadians to remember, reflect and connect around something we all experience – grief.   

Remember

Grief is the natural and normal response to the loss of something or someone important to you.  Although grief is a common experience we all share, we rarely acknowledge it in society.  A recent survey found that 53% of Canadians said their grief was largely unrecognized, and 50% felt inadequately supported in their grief.  It can be difficult to know what to say to someone who is grieving; some helpful ways to start a conversation might be “I’m sorry this happened to you” or “I won’t pretend to know what you’re going through or how you feel, but I’m here for you.”

Reflect

Grieving is the necessary process of acknowledging the loss, coping with the many changes it creates and adapting to life as it moves forward.  It is important to understand that grief differs for everyone, and it is not something a person can “get over” or “fix.”  Take time to reflect on how you can support someone else in grief.  83% of survey respondents identified being asked about their loss as helpful.  Some ways to start a conversation might include “Just letting you know I am thinking of you,” or “Whatever you’re feeling is alright,” or “If you would like to talk about (the loss), I’m here to listen.”

Connect

Finding connection through loss can be a powerful tool for those who are grieving.  Survey respondents identified that the most important sources of support are family and friends, grief counsellors, community grief programs or peer support groups.  Some helpful ways of offering support include: “Would you like some company?”; “We could go for a walk together”; “Would it be okay if I brought you dinner or mowed your lawn?”; “I am going to phone you again in a few days” or “We don’t have to talk, we can just be together.”

The Prairie Mountain Health Regional Palliative Care Program is marking National Grief and Bereavement Day by educating the public about the importance of supporting one another and sharing the grief support available in our health region.  Below is a listing of telephone lines, peer support groups and online resources:

Telephone Support Lines

• Province-Wide Bereavement Phone Line (Palliative Manitoba): 1-800-539-0295
• Hope for Wellness Line (Indigenous peoples): 1-855-242-3310
• Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868
• Prairie Mountain Health Crisis Services: 1-866-332-3030 (North) and 1-888-379-7699 (South)
• Winnipeg Humane Society Pet Loss Support Line: 1-204-988-8804

Grief Support Groups and Seminars

• Brandon and Area Suicide Bereavement Support Group (SPIN): 1-204-761-4083
• Brockie Donovan Funeral Services Grief Seminars (Brandon): 1-204-727-0697
• Compassionate Friends of SW Manitoba (Brandon and areas): 1-855-727-1823
• Dauphin Way United Methodist Church Grief Groups (Dauphin): 1-251-378-7524
• GriefShare Support Group (Dauphin): 1-204-648-7053
• GriefShare Support Group (Russell): 1-204-773-6963
• Healing Hearts Substance Use Bereavement Support Group (Brandon): 1-204-573-0188
• Memories Chapel Journey Through Grief Support Group (Brandon): 1-204-727-0330
• Palliative Manitoba Kids and Teens Grieve Too! Support Group (virtual): 1-800-539-0295
• Paull Funeral Home Grief Recovery Program (Swan River): 1-204-293-9661
• Peer Connections Manitoba (Dauphin) 1-431-345-0353
• Prairie Mountain Health Camp Bridges (Children 7-15): 1-204-578-2340
• Westman Mood Disorders Association of Manitoba Grief Groups (Brandon) 1-204-721-2174

Helpful Websites

• Canadian Grief Alliance: Grief Chats Webinars and Recordings: https://www.canadiangriefalliance.ca/
• Canadian Virtual Hospice: My Grief  https://mygrief.ca/
• Canadian Virtual Hospice: Kids Grief https://www.kidsgrief.ca/
• Prairie Mountain Health: https://prairiemountainhealth.ca/programs-and-services/palliative-care/

If you would like more information about grief support, please reach out to the Palliative Care Volunteer and Bereavement Coordinator, Carla Mitchell, at 204-578-2310 or [email protected].

Submitted by:

Carla Mitchell, MSW/RSW

Regional Palliative Care Program

References:

National Public Consultation on Grief Executive Summary https://www.canadiangriefalliance.ca/media/r25humkl/2024-05-16-cga-grief-survey-executive-summary_fin.pdf

Ideas to Support Someone Who is Grieving https://www.canadiangriefalliance.ca/media/tjcoyzig/supporting-someone-en.pdf

Grief Is…. https://www.canadiangriefalliance.ca/media/q4te13py/finding-the-words-grief-infographic_p2.pdf

CHPCA National Grief and Bereavement Day Toolkit https://www.chpca.ca/awareness/national-grief-and-bereavement-day/

World Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Awareness Week | Nov 18-24

World AMR Awareness Week is a global campaign to raise awareness and understanding of antimicrobial resistance and is celebrated from November 18-24 every year. 

Antimicrobial resistance is one of the top global health threats, yet most don’t recognize its impact. 

Antimicrobial resistance happens when microorganisms change in ways that make medications used to cure the infections they cause ineffective.  When a microorganism becomes resistant to most antimicrobials, they are often referred to as “superbugs.”

Antimicrobial resistance is not new.  Alexander Fleming won a Nobel Prize for his discovery of penicillin; he worried that AMR would make penicillin ineffective.  Since then, bacterial resistance has been discovered in every antibiotic ever marketed.

Thanks to antibiotics, people no longer die due to uncomplicated infections.  Surgery is possible, life expectancy has increased, and infant mortality rates have decreased.  But if we don’t slow the rate of AMR, we may be pushed back into an era where uncomplicated infections become significant health threats.

When we use antibiotics to treat infection, they kill susceptible bacteria, leaving behind resistant bacteria that can multiply to take their place.  We know that one of the biggest risk factors for the development of AMR is the use and misuse of antibiotics for people and animals.

A study of antibiotic use in Manitoba, “Antibiotics: too Much of a Good Thing?” showed that many people were prescribed antibiotics for infections that cannot be effectively treated with antibiotics or were prescribed inappropriate antibiotics.  These practices can lead to AMR.

What can we do to reduce the risk of AMR?

Antibiotics are ineffective for viral infections, such as colds, uncomplicated otitis media (ear infections) or most cases of sinusitis.  We can decrease antibiotic use by ensuring that antibiotics are not prescribed when unnecessary.  We can also reduce the risk of AMR by using narrow-spectrum antibiotics for the shortest length of time needed to treat the infection.

Choosing Wisely Canada has some excellent resources on their Using Antibiotics Wisely and Using Antibiotics Wisely in Primary Care pages.  The Manitoba AMR Alliance also has valuable resources.

Read Mary’s story, How antibiotic resistance impacts lives – Canada.ca, to see how AMR can profoundly affect our ability to effectively treat infection.

Just for fun: take the quiz – Which Antibiotic Are You?