Thanks to donations from the Waywayseecappo First Nation and Gambler First Nation, the staff and residents of Russell Personal Care Home donned orange T-shirts in recognition of Truth and Reconciliation Day at the end of September. (Picture and files courtesy of Russell Banner).
“Under the Tree of Lights”
Christmas is fast approaching, and with it comes all the joy and happiness of the season. It is also a time of reflection and memories of loved ones. You can memorialize or honour someone special this holiday season! For a minimum $15 donation (tax receipt issued), the BRHC Foundation will:
The BRHC Foundation presents the “Gift of Flight” compliments of WestJet!
You can win a round trip flight to any regularly scheduled WestJet destination for two (2) people! (No cash value, fees, taxes, surcharges not included, blackout dates and restrictions apply). The draw will be held on Friday, December 13th, at 2:00 p.m. in the Brandon Regional Health Centre Atrium. Must be 18+ to participate.
Tickets (1 for $10 or 3 for $20) are available in the Foundation Office at 204- 578-4227 or by emailing [email protected]
Proceeds from the draw will be directed toward the Brandon Regional Health Centre’s Pediatric/Neonatal Intensive Care Units.
For more information on the BRHC Foundation and how you can support the Brandon Regional Health Centre, visit https://www.brhcfoundation.ca/
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.
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
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
November 21st, 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; 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!
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
Grief Support Groups and Seminars
Helpful Websites
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 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?
Prairie Mountain Health has been proud to offer a Trans Health Clinic since 2015. Trans Clinic is excited to announce that our name has been changed from Trans Clinic to The Gender Affirming Care Clinic. This name change encompasses the diversity of our clients and their individual needs under the gender-affirming care umbrella.
Dr. Kelby Treloar and Public Health Nurse Carly Druwe RN (AP) continue to provide monthly clinics at Brandon Public Health in The Town Center on Rosser Ave.
Our clinic is targeted for clients 18 years of age and older. For clients under 18 years of age, we offer support, resources and/or referral to GDAAY or Klinic.
Clients can self-refer to The Gender Affirming Care Clinic by calling 204-578-2500.
Healthcare providers wanting to send a referral can fax 204-578-2824.
The Importance of Gender-Affirming Care
Gender-affirming care is essential for the well-being and mental health of many individuals. This type of care supports people in aligning their physical appearance, social identity, and overall lifestyle with their gender identity. For transgender, nonbinary, and gender-diverse individuals, gender-affirming care can make a crucial difference in their quality of life, enhancing their confidence, safety, and connection to the community.
Studies show that gender-affirming care has numerous benefits, including improved mental health, lower rates of depression and anxiety, and reduced suicide risk. For many individuals, accessing care such as hormone therapy, counselling, or surgeries can be life-saving. It allows individuals to live authentically, fostering a sense of belonging and acceptance that strengthens resilience against the unique challenges they may face.
Unfortunately, there are still significant barriers to accessing this care. From financial limitations and healthcare discrimination to a lack of specialized providers, many people are unable to get the care they need. That’s why community support and advocacy for gender-affirming care is essential. Supporting policies and initiatives that expand access to these services and educating ourselves and others about the importance of inclusive care can help ensure everyone receives the support they need.
Gender-affirming care is about respecting and supporting each person’s right to define and live as their authentic self. By advocating for greater access and understanding, we can help build a more inclusive, compassionate society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Thank you for your referrals to our program to help support our shared clients.
Prairie Mountain Health is offering a new free group program called Empowered Eating. Empowered Eating is a weight-neutral approach to developing a healthier relationship with food.
This program was created by Registered Dietitians and Mental Health professionals to help you embrace self-compassion, challenge food and diet rules, and help you nourish and take care of your body. If you struggle with feeling guilty about your eating, feel you are an emotional eater, or want to stop the diet cycle and feel more empowered in your eating, this program is for you.
Empowered Eating has four weekly sessions and is offered in different communities in Prairie Mountain Health and virtually (online). Join us for the upcoming sessions in Swan River at the Swan Valley Health Center on November 7, 14, 21, and 28 from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm. To register call 1-877-509-7852, or email [email protected]
Find a poster for the upcoming session here and follow PMH on social media for more upcoming sessions.
PMH Receives National Accreditation Recognition
Prairie Mountain Health (PMH) is pleased to announce that it recently received its national accreditation designation—its third since the health region was formed in 2012—following on-site surveys that took place in the region in May. Accreditation Canada affirmed PMH was successful meeting 97 per cent of surveyed criteria. PMH also met 23 out of 30 Required Organizational Practices (ROPs). Prairie Mountain Health CEO Treena Slate says Accreditation Canada’s Qmentum framework affects everyone in the organization and helps assess all aspects of operations, from Board and Leadership, to care and services, to infrastructure.
“The survey results reinforce what we know, and what we are so proud of, which is the professionalism of our staff, our accreditation teams, physicians and health partners who are dedicated to providing care to the patients, residents and clients that we serve,” Slate stated. “This designation demonstrates PMH’s commitment towards quality improvement efforts by continually monitoring, evaluating and enhancing all of our programs and services to provide better care within our region”.
Accreditation Canada, which conducted the on-site assessments May 26- May 31, helps improve outcomes through independent assessments against global standards. Some highlights noted within the final report included: