May 31 is World No Tobacco Day, a day set aside to remind the public on the dangers of using tobacco, the business practices of tobacco companies, what is being done to fight the tobacco epidemic, and what people around the world can do to claim their right to health and healthy living and to protect future generations. See https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-no-tobacco-day
Did you know a Healthcare Provider from Prairie Mountain Health can help support your tobacco quit journey and provide redeemable funds toward Nicotine Replacement Therapy products? The Tobacco Quit Card and Counselling Program provides counselling sessions and redeemable Quit Cards in the amount of $300 for nicotine patches and aids to eligible patients across Prairie Mountain Health. Even if you are not eligible for the Quit Card, you can still receive individual counselling sessions.
What is offered in the Tobacco Quit Card and Counselling Program?
Counselling sessions with a health professional on how to stop tobacco use or vaping. 3 sessions are guaranteed (initial, 1 month & 6 months) and more can be provided if needed.
A Quit Card redeemable at any Manitoba pharmacy to help toward the cost nicotine replacement medication.
Who can participate?
Manitobans without insurance to cover nicotine replacement products (nicotine patches, gum and other aids) or who find it difficult to afford these medications.
Manitobans ready to quit or reduce smoking or vaping within 30 days.
Call 1-877-509-7852 to book you appointment today
Other tobacco cessation programs available to Prairie Mountain Health residents:
Quit Smoking with your Manitoba Pharmacist Program: Participating Manitoba pharmacies provide $100 and up to nine counselling sessions for Manitobans wanting to quit. Medications covered include nicotine patches, aids and oral medications. Ask your pharmacy if the program is available through them!
Commit to Quit Program (C2Q) is a five-session program offered live online to all Manitobans. This series is for anyone who would like to reduce or stop their tobacco or nicotine use. Learn about your triggers, setting realistic goals, how to start reducing, behavioural strategies that work and find out about quit medications. See wrha.mb.ca/groups or call 1-877-979-9355.
Packing It In is a one-class overview of the steps to quit smoking. It’s a helpful introduction if you are interested in the longer Commit to Quit Program. A recorded version is available at wrha.mb.ca/groups.
The Last Drag is a Winnipeg 2SLGBTQ+ Facebook peer support group to help you quit smoking.
Talk Tobacco is an Indigenous Quit Smoking and Vaping resource providing free, confidential help line and online support. Now also offering text support. Visit their Facebook page or call 1-833-998-TALK (8255).
Smokers’ Helpline is a free, confidential help line and online support. Now also offering text support to get you smoke-free for good. For more information visit their call 1-877-513-5333.
Nurse Practitioner (NP): some NPs in PMH can provide quit smoking counselling and NRT products (patches/gum). Contact your local clinic to see if this service is available in your area.
PMH recognizes National Volunteer Week | April 14-20, 2024
PMH recognizes National Volunteer Week | April 14-20, 2024
Written March 27, 2024
National Volunteer Week is celebrated this year from April 14-20, 2024. Volunteers undoubtedly make a difference in the health and well-being of the residents, patients, and clients that we serve within the Prairie Mountain Health (PMH) region. Over the last year, our healthcare volunteers have put in a collective total of over 37,000 hours!
“PMH sincerely values contributions made by our communities and stakeholders to our healthcare system,” says PMH Board of Directors Chair Lon Cullen. “Volunteers and volunteer organizations continue to play a significant role with our PMH team in supporting our Regional Vision of ‘Health and Wellness for All.’ We acknowledge and appreciate the heartfelt contributions that volunteers and volunteer organizations make directly or indirectly year-round!
The theme for National Volunteer Week 2024 is “Every Moment Matters.” It highlights the importance of every volunteer and each contribution they make at a time when we need support more than ever. Sharing time, skills, empathy, and creativity is vital to the inclusivity, strength, and well-being of our communities.
Volunteers support our personal care homes, hospitals, and community health programs across the region. Some examples include:
Volunteers serve every personal care home within PMH, providing our residents companionship, entertainment and assistance.
Dedicated volunteers who support the Palliative Care Program.
A dedicated group of Pet Therapy Dogs/handlers (PATDogs Team) who take time from their day to bring smiles to the patients and residents in hospitals and Personal Care Homes. The PATDogs program was implemented in 2022 and has grown from three Therapy dog teams to 24 teams.
Volunteers participate in local boards, foundations, auxiliary organizations, and other community meal and harm reduction programs.
Volunteers assist with the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program.
These are just a few highlights of volunteer participation, dedication and commitment. It would be challenging to cover all the examples of how people selflessly give up their time.
“We very much appreciate our volunteers who dedicate their time, knowledge, compassion and heart to helping Prairie Mountain Health,” stated PMH CEO Brian Schoonbaert. “On behalf of our board, staff and physicians, we sincerely thank you for all you do from the bottom of our hearts. If you see a volunteer, thank them for making “Every Moment Matter.”
Katherine Dwight is a dedicated volunteer for Boissevain Evergreen Place.
Katherine enjoys helping others, visiting with residents and assisting with recreation programs.
“To bring smiles to the residents is the biggest award” says Katherine.
Thankyou Katherine for your dedication to the residents and the PCH!
Eleanor is a dedicated volunteer at Rideau Park, Fairview PCH, and Minnedosa Care Home.
Eleanor began volunteering to help fill her need to do something musically.
“I love seeing a smile or hearing someone singing along.” says Eleanor.
Eleanor also enjoys singing, dancing and knitting.
Jessica is a dedicated volunteer at Rideau Park PCH.
Jessica began volunteering because she enjoys working with older people and was looking for somewhere to do that.
“Interacting with the residents is definitely my favourite thing about volunteering” says Jessica.
Jessica also enjoys cooking and baking.
Thank you Jessica for your dedication to the Residents at Rideau Park.
Alexe & Darlynne are dedicated volunteers at Dinsdale PCH & Fairview Home.
Alexe sings, and Darlynne plays piano. Together they provide wonderful music programs!
“My favourite thing about volunteering is the music & the residents – most love music. My friendship with Darlynne (pianist)…we’ve become very close.” ~Alexe~
“My favourite thing about volunteering is seeing the pleasure of residents & doing something I love!” ~Darlynne~
Alexe enjoys spending time with family, church and hobbies.
Darlynne enjoys spending time with family, church & other committees, computer skills, singing & playing, helping people who need assistance.
Thank you for sharing your love of music with residents around PMH.
Larry is a dedicated volunteer at Fairview Home.
Larry began volunteering when he saw a need for volunteers & his life changed, freeing up some time to give back to society.
“My favourite thing about volunteering is the joy & appreciation I receive from clients & staff. I always leave happier than when I arrived.”
Larry also enjoys volunteering his time with other organizations, fixing broken electrical & mechanical devices, and grandparenting.
Thank you Larry for sharing your time with Fairview Residents.
Dwayne & Anne are dedicated volunteers in Prairie Mountain Health.
Anne started volunteering when her mom was a resident at Fairview.
“My favourite thing about volunteering is working & talking with residents.”
Dwayne volunteers as a musician at Fairview, Rideau Park, & Dinsdale PCH
“My favourite thing about volunteering is playing music for the residents.”
Anne & Dwayne also enjoy curling, dancing, walking, travelling, and floor shuffling.
Thank you Dwayne & Anne for sharing your time with residents around PMH.
Melina is a dedicated volunteer at Fairview Home.
Melina began volunteering because she wanted to make a positive impact in her community. Volunteering offers opportunities to contribute her skills to meaningful places and connect with others.
“I love playing piano for the people and it’s nice knowing that some of them recognize me whenever I go now. It warms my heart every time I see them enjoy the music and the fact that my music can make them happy for that hour.”
Thank you Melina for sharing your love of music with the Residents of Fairview.
Carolyn is a dedicated volunteer at Dinsdale PCH.
Carolyn began volunteering when her mom was a resident at Dinsdale.
“My favourite thing about volunteering is socializing with the residents.”
Carolyn also enjoys jigsaw puzzles, cards and reading.
High Country Band has been sharing their love of music and friendship to residents for multiple years.
They perform monthly in the Personal Care homes in Sandy Lake, Erickson, Minnedosa and Neepawa.
Lorna McMillan is a dedicated volunteer at Delwynda Court in Deloraine with the recreation programs.
Thank you Lorna, for sharing your time with our residents.
Jan Russell is a dedicated volunteer at Rivers PCH.
Jan is a faithful recreation volunteer at Rivers PCH and loves her time volunteering and we love having her assistance and friendship!
Pictured left to right is one of our residents Louise, enjoying a game of crib with Jan.
Lenora Fassett is a dedicated volunteer at Rivers PCH.
Lenora is a faithful recreation volunteer at Rivers PCH and loves her time volunteering and we love having her assistance and friendship!
Pictured left to right is one of our residents Louise, enjoying her time with Lenora.
Across Canada, National Volunteer Week (April 14-20, 2024) celebrates the individual and collective actions that volunteers participate in to create strong, interconnected and engaged communities. The Palliative Care Volunteer Service would like to acknowledge and applaud the contributions of over 225 palliative care volunteers in many communities across Prairie Mountain Health.
The Palliative Care Volunteer Service is comprised of a network of 20 community service groups who are dedicated to the improvement of palliative care in their local community. Palliative care volunteers come alongside, and complement, the existing professional services available in the home, hospital and personal care home setting. Dedicated and trained volunteers offer an additional layer of support, letting clients and families know that their local community cares. In these moments, and the relationships between them, volunteers find greater purpose, a sense of belonging and hold a common thread of hope. “We understand and share the hope that at some time, or in some way, we will all face the end of life; and when that time comes we will have the love and support of our family and the greater community” (Holly, volunteer).
The theme of volunteer week 2024 is “Every Moment Matters”. For individuals and families facing end of life, every moment is profound and valuable. Palliative care volunteers share their time, skills, empathy and creativity to shine a light in these important moments. Volunteers can be called upon to offer client companionship, caregiver respite, practical resources, end of life vigil sitting and bereavement follow-up. Volunteers also engage in activities that promote palliative care awareness, such as fundraisers, advocacy events, death cafes and community grief workshops. In the moments that matter the most, volunteers are available to hold space for clients and families, with a kind smile, a listening ear, words of encouragement and a caring embrace.
During National Volunteer Week 2024, we come together to recognize and celebrate the importance of each and every volunteer in our program. Volunteering matters and by sharing these moments we co-create the neighborhoods, culture and society we want to live in, and die, in. Thank you to the following community service groups:
Birtle Palliative Care Committee
Boissevain Palliative Care Committee
Carberry Palliative Care Committee
Dauphin Palliative Care Committee
Deloraine Palliative Care Committee
Erickson and District Palliative Care Committee
Glenboro Palliative Care Committee
Hamiota Palliative Care Committee
Killarney Palliative Care Committee
Melita Palliative Care Committee
Minnedosa Palliative Care Committee
Neepawa and District Palliative Care Committee
Reston Palliative Care Committee
Riverdale Palliative Care Committee
Rossburn Palliative Care Committee
Russell Palliative Care Committee
Shoal Lake Palliative Care Committee
Souris Palliative Care Committee
Virden and District Palliative Care Committee
Westman Hospice (Brandon)
If you would like to learn more about the Palliative Care Volunteer Service please visit our website or contact Palliative Care Volunteer and Bereavement Coordinator, Carla Mitchell, 204-578-2310. All volunteers are registered with Prairie Mountain Health and receive training to prepare for the volunteer role.
National Immunization Awareness Week | April 22-30, 2024
National Immunization Awareness Week | April 22-30, 2024
When Immunize Canada launched National Immunization Awareness Week in the 1990s, it echoed a very successful program that Canada saw in the 1930s. Back then, vaccines were new, and the diseases they prevent were far too common.
Details can be found in back issues of the Canadian Journal of Public Health, the long-running journal of the Canadian Public Health Association.
One of the earliest campaigns, launched in 1931, was Toronto’s Toxoid Week, which focused on diphtheria. Toxoid Week became a stronger initiative after the establishment of the Health League of Canada in 1935. Largely spearheaded by the now-defunct League, the campaign involved schools, radio stations, newspapers, magazines, service clubs, and physicians to get the message out.
In 1942, it was decided that more diseases needed to be included, and the first National Immunization Week was born: a “coast-to-coast program of education directed towards the prevention of smallpox and whooping cough as well as diphtheria”
Much has changed in Canada since the 1930s. In the mid-1970s, the Health League closed its doors. By then, immunization was common, and several important diseases were fading from memory. In the meantime, new vaccines were developed and are widely used. Smallpox – once a health threat worldwide – was eradicated. Canada was certified polio-free in 1994. Many lives have been saved by immunization, and countless illnesses and long-term health problems avoided. Vaccines truly are one of the great public health achievements of the twentieth century – and onward into the twenty-first.
But some things don’t change. Vaccine-preventable diseases are still very much with us. We need to continue to educate Canadians about immunization and promote awareness of its benefits to health with up-to-date information. We need to involve traditional media, health care providers, and social media. And we need to keep vaccinating! Recent outbreaks of mumps and measles remind us that, if immunization rates drop, diseases will reappear. Immunization rates must remain high in order for individuals and communities to stay protected against vaccine-preventable diseases.
National Immunization Awareness Week is a great time to learn more. Visit immunize.ca for reliable information on immunization for all generations.
How to get a copy of your immunization record
You can get your immunization record by submitting a request via the Immunization Update Request Form and it will be mailed to you.
Check if your local medical clinic or physician’s office can provide them to you
Asking at a local nursing station or health centre
The Manitoba Immunization registry was started in 1988. Immunizations provided prior to 1988 are unlikely to be included in Manitoba Health’s official registry. Please check for paper records at home or with your local health care provider. Manitoba Health sends out a copy of your immunization record when you turn 7 and 18 years old.
References National Immunization Week: November 14 – 21. Can Public Health J 1943:34(10):477. Available at: http://www.jstor.org/stable/41978506 (Accessed April 13, 2017). Bates G. Diphtheria-Toxoid Week in Toronto. Can Public Health J 1938;29(12):578-82. Available at: http://www.jstor.org/stable/41977695 (Accessed March 14, 2017)
PMH wants to take additional steps to encourage community members to protect their kidneys. March is kidney awareness month, and PMH encourages everyone to learn more about protecting their ‘beans.’ The PMH Population Health and Wellness Committee has been developing a public awareness campaign to inform PMH residents about the importance of early detection and screening. You may have noticed posters around your community encouraging everyone to self-screen for kidney disease.
Here are a few facts to share:
The province of Manitoba has the highest incidence and prevalence of kidney failure in Canada
As many as 1 in 10 adults in Manitoba are living with kidney disease, and most don’t even know it
Kidneys can lose 80% of their function before any symptoms are felt
What is kidney disease, and why is early testing so important? Chronic kidney disease means your kidneys are damaged and lose their ability to keep you healthy by filtering your blood. People living with kidney disease progressively lose kidney function, often not knowing they have the disease until advancing to the later stages. As kidney disease worsens, wastes can build up in your blood and make you feel sick. You may develop other problems like high blood pressure, anemia, weak bones, poor nutritional health, or nerve damage.
Kidney disease is classified into five stages; stage 1 indicates normal kidney function up to stage 5, which is kidney failure. Because symptoms don’t always show in the early stages, identifying and managing patients with early kidney disease may slow or prevent the progression to end-stage kidney disease. Often, noninvasive treatments, such as drug therapy and lifestyle changes, may be all that’s needed if caught early.
Anyone can get kidney disease, but some people have a higher probability because they have one or more risk factors. Diabetes and high blood pressure are the most common reasons for kidney disease among adults. Other risk factors include obesity, smoking, having heart disease, frequent use of kidney-damaging drugs, or a family history of kidney disease. Having a risk factor does not mean you will get kidney disease, but it increases your chance and makes early screening more important. A simple blood or urine test is all that is needed to learn if your kidneys are healthy.
Talk to your healthcare provider about kidney disease. To learn more about kidney disease and to take a self-screen test to see if you are at risk, visit www.kidney.ca. Don’t underestimate the importance of early testing for kidney disease. Ask yourself, have you ‘bean’ checked?
Highlighting Dietitian work in Prairie Mountain Health for Nutrition Month in March
In Primary Care
Feeling confused with what you are reading about nutrition online? Primary care dietitians are master myth-busters and trustworthy sources of nutrition information personalized to you. From chronic disease prevention to management, dietitians in primary care are here to help! Meeting with a Registered Dietitian can help you manage irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, nutrient deficiencies, malnutrition, diabetes, heart disease, disordered eating, pediatric picky eating and more. You can request an appointment by calling 1-877-509-7852 or talking to your primary care provider about a referral at your next visit.
In the Community
Prairie Mountain Health Community Dietitians believe that healthy does not have to be fancy. We promote healthy eating that is enjoyable, nutritious, accessible, and culturally appropriate. This could include food from local grocery stores, farmers’ markets, your backyard (or farm), or from the wild.
Community Dietitians work with communities, organizations, and groups rather than individual clients. They promote healthy eating, focusing on nutrition and food skills education, food security initiatives, and healthy food environments. You might see Community Dietitians working in schools, health fairs, daycares, seniors’ centers, healthy baby programs, cooking classes, community centers, and more!
What does this look like in PMH? Dietitians are part of Neepawa Eats Healthy, a group of dedicated partners representing local organizations and community members working together to improve healthy eating outcomes in the community. The partnership includes the Salvation Army, the Town of Neepawa, HyLife, Prairie Mountain Health, and community members. The committee works together on many food-related projects in the community. Currently, we are partnering with local grocery stores to promote a monthly quick, easy and healthy recipe, with classrooms competing to win a catered lunch featuring the Meal in 30 recipes. To see what else Neepawa Eats Healthy is up to, follow them on social media @neepawa.eats.healthy. A Community Dietitian is also involved with the BAG (Better Access to Groceries) program in Camperville and Sapotaweyak Cree Nation, where people order a bag of fresh produce at a reasonable cost to pick up in their community. Some Community Dietitians also facilitate community programs such as Craving Change, Strive to Thrive, and Get Better Together.
Contact the Community Dietitians by sending an email to [email protected]
In Long Term Care and Acute Care
Every healthcare facility in Prairie Mountain Health has a Registered Dietitian who attends the facility and sees the clients. Registered Dietitians work as part of the healthcare team to ensure clients receive the best care. Clients are seen for various reasons in these settings, including malnutrition, inadequate oral intake, enteral feeding (tube feeds), bowel care, diabetes management and texture-modified diets, to name a few. Registered Dietitians are part of the Menu committee for the facilities and work with the Nutrition Services team to make a menu that meets everyone’s nutritional needs.
Dietitians are here to help ensure our clients are nourished. If you have a loved one in a personal care home or acute care setting, you can request that they see a Registered Dietitian.
Please contact Lisa Fugleberg [email protected] for more information regarding acute and long-term care dietitian services.
Looking for nutrition information? Check out these great sites for some great tips and recipe ideas!
On Louis Riel Day and every day, Prairie Mountain Health recognizes that we provide health services on the homeland of the Red River Métis Nation and on the original lands of First Nations and Inuit Peoples. Manitoba’s health authorities respect that First Nations treaties were made on these territories, acknowledge harms and mistakes, and we dedicate ourselves to collaborate in partnership with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples in the spirit of reconciliation.
As we pursue equitable and trusted pathways to care for all Manitobans, we thank health-care workers of Métis ancestry for your efforts and commitment as members of a team dedicated to excellent patient care. Shared Health encourages all who deliver health services on the original lands of First Nations and Inuit peoples, and on the homeland of the Métis Nation to recognize our ongoing obligation to the delivery of culturally safe care.
Health-care workers – and all Manitobans – are encouraged to take time to learn more about the contributions of Louis Riel and Métis peoples to our province.
Events in Prairie Mountain Health
Here are just a few events happening in our region for anyone to attend.
Events around the Province
Friday, Feb. 16 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Join the Office of the Vice-President (Indigenous) to celebrate Louis Riel Day at University of Manitoba’s Marshall McLuhan Hall, 204-UMSU University Centre! This free event will include short remarks, music (a fiddle jam session!) and lunch.
Feb. 16 – 25, Festival du Voyageur – Western Canada’s largest winter festival for the whole family with lots of entertainment including music, dancing, jigging, French-Canadian food, meeting historical characters, sculptures and much more.
Monday, Feb. 19 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Experience the life of a Voyageur with a Marsh twist during Voyageur Day at Oak Hammock Marsh! Try their friendly Voyageur-themed contests, competitions and games. Participate in their “Concours des Meilleurs” and take home some great bragging rights!
Sunday, Feb. 18 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. – The Richer Métis Local is hosting a Louis Riel Day Celebration at the Richer Young at Heart Hall located at 22 Dawson Rd. W in Richer, Manitoba that includes performers, kids activities as well as a hot meal of chili, bannock and hotdogs.
Monday, Feb. 19 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Journée Louis Riel / Louis Riel Day at Le Musée de Saint-Boniface in collaboration with the Manitoba Métis Federation featuring free admission, free bannock, launch of Tracy Charette Fehr’s project “Honouring our Mothers” and more.
Monday, Feb. 19 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Set your inner voyageur free at FortWhyte Alive! Spend Louis Riel Day playing voyageur games with FortWhyte volunteers, and enjoy some friendly competition between your family! Try your hand at tug-o-war, a voyageur relay, and other fun games.
Monday, Feb. 19 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Celebrate Louis Riel Day at The Forks for a day filled with family-friendly festivities, like: lively dance parties and lessons for the whole family, engaging arts and crafts, specially crafted kid menus and mocktails, and, of course, winter activities, attractions, and amenities that are unique to The Forks.
Manitobans are encouraged to get outside and explore fishing opportunities throughout the province during this year’s Winter Family Fishing Weekend. From Feb. 17 to Feb. 19, anglers may fish without a licence in the province, except in national parks where a federal angling licence is still required.
Sexual Health Week is Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights’ signature public health campaign. For over 20 years, this time has been dedicated to raising awareness on key issues in sexual health, education, and health care.
This week is a celebration of people’s amazing work to improve sexual health access and services across Canada and worldwide! Together, we’re highlighting essential resources and programs, all building towards improving sexual health outcomes for everyone.
Sexual Health is for Everyone
Sexual health is an important part of our overall well-being, just like physical and mental health. Sexual health is connected to more than just pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections – sexual health includes things like how we feel about our bodies, consent, social relationships, pleasure, our identities, who we’re attracted to, and more!
Since sexual health is connected to so many aspects of our lives, there are many different sexual health support services in our communities! Sexual Health Week is a chance for all of us to celebrate the amazing services, resources, and organizations working to improve sexual health outcomes so we can all live fuller, healthier, and happier lives.
From February 12-16, 2024, we invite everyone to talk about how sexual health is important in our lives. You can participate by getting STBBI tested and learning about a new sexual health topic, for example, a new birth control method. You can learn how to communicate about your feelings, explore your sexuality, or maybe you want to learn more about how to give consent and listen for consent. Perhaps you are a parent or guardian who wants to start having conversations with your teen about sexuality. Whether you are 17 years old and learning about sex for the first time or 67 years old and entering the dating world again, there is something for all of us to learn! This week is a chance to tell people about the tools and groups that help us better understand sexual health and help us envision a healthier, inclusive, sex-positive future for everyone – because sexual health is for everyone!
If you are interested in STBBI testing, please check out the following locations or contact your local public health nurse or primary care provider:
February 1-7 is Canada’s Eating Disorders Awareness Week (EDAW). Every year, the National Eating Disorder Information Centre (NEDIC) collaborates with organizations across Canada on a campaign for EDAW. This year’s theme is Breaking Barriers, Facilitating Futures.
There are immense barriers when it comes to accessing the proper treatment for an eating disorder. Research around eating disorders is underfunded in Canada compared to other mental health conditions, leading to inadequate funding and resources for prevention and treatment. Wait times for publicly-funded eating disorder treatment in Canada can be up to two years, meaning many people seeking treatment have to wait while they are suffering. Some private eating disorder treatment is available but is inaccessible financially for many and may not be adequate for those needing higher levels of care.
In the healthcare field, eating disorders are often seen as a “niche” practice, meaning only some healthcare providers will see patients with eating disorders. However, this view is harmful, as eating disorders affect people of all ages, genders, racial and ethnic identities, sexual orientations, socioeconomic backgrounds, and body sizes. Eating Disorders are severe; they have the highest overall mortality rate of any mental illness in Canada. Healthcare providers need to recognize that they will be working with patients with eating disorders, no matter where they work, and be trained to detect eating disorders. People with eating disorders in our culture may be mistaken for being “well-disciplined” with food, and a healthcare provider not well-versed in eating disorders may inadvertently congratulate and encourage eating disorder behaviours. This creates a barrier to recognizing that treatment is needed and finding the appropriate help.
Some under-recognized barriers to eating disorder treatment highlighted in the EDAW campaign include food insecurity, trauma, co-occurring mental health conditions, as well as gender-affirming care. The EDAW campaign includes social media materials for people with living and lived experience of an eating disorder, as well as people supporting them, the general public, and healthcare providers. As part of the campaign, there are also community rooms, where people with living and lived experience with an eating disorder will connect and work together to map out their journey to accessing help.
To learn more about these barriers and the EDAW campaign, check out https://nedic.ca/edaw/
(18+ only) Call Women’s Health Clinic in Winnipeg for information and referrals at 1-866-947-1517 ext. 137
(All ages) Make an appointment with your family doctor and ask for a referral to the Health Sciences Centre Eating Disorder Program
Register for Body Peace, a FREE online program for anyone in Canada 14+. Whether you’re living with an eating disorder or are concerned about your relationship with food, your body, and/or exercise
To see a Registered Dietitian in PMH call 1-877-509-7852
To see a Mental Health professional in PMH visit our website to find the Access Guide
Have you heard of “Blue Monday” but are not entirely sure what it is or means? Blue Monday is a term applied to the third Monday of January (January 15 this year!) and has been labeled “the most depressing day of the year.” Its origins, however, had little to do with mental health. A travel company in the UK initially conceived the idea in the early 2000s. A psychologist was commissioned to generate a formula to promote this day as the most depressing time of the year. Obviously, the travel company’s goal was to sell more vacation travel packages to warm and sunny destinations. The formula looked at factors such as shortened daylight hours, Christmas bills coming due, gloomy winter weather, and the point on the calendar where most people tend to give up on their New Year’s resolutions. Though there’s little scientific evidence to claim that it is the most depressing day of the year, in the years following, many mental health organizations jumped on the idea to promote awareness about seasonal depression and the need for support and other self-help strategies to beat the winter blues.
Manitoba’s winters are long, dark, and cold. People must take care of their mental health this time of year. Research suggests that up to 35 percent of the general population experience the “winter blues,” which can include changes in appetite and increased lethargy as the daylight hours grow shorter. The winter blues differs from Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD, which affects about three to five percent of the population and is a serious form of depression. Symptoms of SAD include feeling significantly depressed most days, decreased energy, difficulty concentrating, weight gain, and disrupted sleep patterns.
People experiencing the winter blues or SAD can benefit from:
Maximizing exposure to sunlight. Spend more time outdoors during the day and arrange indoor environments to receive maximum sunlight. The use of therapy lamps has proven benefits as well.
Exercise. Exercise relieves stress, builds energy, and increases mental and physical well-being. Make a habit of taking a daily noon-hour walk. The activity and increased exposure to natural light can raise spirits.
Social support and connection. Strong social networks reduce isolation, a key risk factor for depression.
Stress reduction. Make changes in your life to help manage and reduce stress. Too much stress exacerbates depression and puts you at risk for future depression. Take the aspects of your life that stress you out, such as work overload or unsupportive relationships, and find ways to minimize their impact.
While it may not be scientifically accurate to designate the third Monday in January, or any day of the year for that matter, as the most depressing day of the year, it does offer the opportunity to engage in healthy conversations about mental wellness, especially at this time of year. Talking openly about seasonal depression and the support that is available for those who struggle helps reduce the stigma around mental illness and opens pathways for support and recovery. This year, several special events have been planned in the region to highlight the effects of seasonal depression and the support available. Check out the list below to see what’s happening on January 15 in your area:
Dauphin: The Dauphin HERO Club will spread cheer with uplifting inspirational quotes and blueberry muffins in the community. If interested in helping, contact Lori at 204-638-7104 or e-mail [email protected]
Swan River: The Canadian Mental Health Association will set up a display from 9:00-4:00 at the community booth in the Swan Valley Co-op food store. Drop by to pick up information on mental health and chat with a CMHA representative.
Roblin: The Roblin HERO club will be sharing blue treats in their community
Ste Rose: Spiritual Care & Health Promotion – We will share a “sweet“ blue treat, to brighten people’s day. Encouraging everyone to take extra care of themselves by connecting with others, doing something special for someone else to help brighten these winter days. If interested in helping out contact Susan Denhard at 204-447-4360 or email – [email protected]
