We are Dietitians!

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!

Home – Unlock Food

Home & Family (homefamily.net)

Cookspiration

Louis Riel Day

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.
Monday, Feb. 19 – Freeze Frame Media Arts Centre for Young People will be presenting free movies for families at Dave Barber Cinematheque (100 Arthur Street) on Louis Riel Day.
More Louis Riel Day events.
Manitoba is once again offering free park entry for the entire month of February so Manitobans and visitors can take advantage of the many winter activities available in provincial parks.
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 | February 12-16, 2024

What is Sexual Health Week?

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:

Brandon: Helping Hands – 111 7^th Street, Feb. 14 from 1:00 pm-4:00 pm
Swan River: Legion Room 119 6^th Ave. North (located at the back of the building) Feb. 14, 1:00 pm-4:00 pm
Dauphin: Dauphin Friendship Centre – 210 1 Ave. NE, Feb. 16, 1:00 pm-3:00

You can find your local public health nurse or primary care provider by visiting our website.

Adapted from https://www.actioncanadashr.org/campaigns/sexual-health-week-2024

Eating Disorders Awareness Week 2024

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/

Where to get help:

Call the National Eating Disorder Information Centre (NEDIC) helpline at 1-866-633-4220
(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

Blue Monday

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]

National Non-Smoking Week 2024 – Keeping Children and Youth Nicotine-Free

National Non-Smoking Week, including Weedless Wednesday, began over 40 years ago as a way to raise awareness about the risks of smoking and to encourage smokers to quit smoking. The collective efforts of many health agencies, non-profits and governments have seen substantial reductions in smoking rates from roughly 50% of Canadians smoking in 1965 to about 10-15% today[1].

Since the mid-2000s, the tobacco industry has been trying to harness a new group of customers to maintain and even grow their bottom line. Naturally, their target audience is children and youth to maximize their long-term purchasing potential. Cigarette smoking amongst 15-19-year-olds has declined from roughly 11% a decade ago to about 4% today; however, the overall nicotine use in this age group has stayed relatively stable, hovering around 15-17%[2]. The percentage of never-smokers using nicotine products has jumped from 9% in 2013 to 19% in 2023, with an obvious increase occurring the year after vaping was legalized and heavily marketed in Canada. This suggests that youth who were not likely ever to smoke have become addicted to nicotine via vapes and other nicotine delivery systems such as nicotine pouches (i.e., Zonnic). Most would agree that these candy-flavoured products are being marketed directly to children and youth under the guise of tools to help smokers quit.

Vaping is not harmless, and evidence of harm continues to mount against these products, especially for children, youth and other non-smokers. A 2019 article from Physicians for a Smoke-Free Canada suggests that instead of comparing the harms of vapes to the harms of cigarettes, they should be considered “differently harmful.” There is good evidence to suggest that vaping causes harm to the lungs and cardiovascular system. Additionally, there is growing evidence that nicotine has negative effects on teen brain development. We must continue to work collectively to ensure youth are aware of these harms and fight back against Big Tobacco’s nasty tricks to market their harmful products to children and youth.

Staff in PMH continue to work on smoking and vaping prevention efforts with presentations in schools and the community, as well as working with staff in education to get the message out to youth. The target age of these prevention efforts is students in grades 5-8.

What can parents or others who work with youth do?

Familiarize yourself with the risks of vapes or other emerging nicotine products such as nicotine pouches. Health Canada Tip Sheet
Find the right moment and start the conversation.
Recognize how tobacco companies market these products to young people and point them out to youth.

For people wanting to quit vaping, check out these apps and websites

App: Stop Vaping Challenge
App: Crush the Crave – Vape Edition
App: Quash – Quit Vaping
Website: www.smokershelpline.ca / Call: 1-877-513-5333 / Text: iQuit to 123456
Website: https://teen.smokefree.gov/quit-vaping (US-based)

References:
1. https://uwaterloo.ca/tobacco-use-canada/adult-tobacco-use/smoking-canada/historical-trends-smoking-prevalence

2. https://smoke-free.ca/2023/CTNS-CTADS%20-%20Any%20Nicotine%20Use.pdf

3. https://smoke-free.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/health-effects-of-vaping-2019-11-11a-2.pdf

During Veteran’s Week we pause to remember

We pause to remember the sacrifices and efforts of those who have supported and protected our families, friends, neighbours and our nation.

Indigenous Veteran’s Day

November 8th is National Indigenous Veterans Day. The First Nations, Inuit and Métis of Canada have a long and proud tradition of military service to our country. Learn more.

Remembrance Day

On November 11th, it is important to take time to remember, honour and thank all veterans – At home, around the world and across generations. Read more.

International Day for People Impacted by Suicide Loss | Nov 18

Image by Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention

International Day for People Impacted by Suicide Loss (November 18th) is a day where people impacted by suicide loss, no matter where they live, can come together as communities to find and offer comfort and to remember their loved ones as they share stories of loss, healing, and hope.

For Brandon and the surrounding area, the Brandon Suicide Prevention Implementation Network (SPIN) has observed this day by collecting cards and having them on display. The cards hold messages commemorating a loved one who has died by suicide, and/or a message of hope to those that have been impacted by suicide loss.

This year, SPIN has attached a fillable card for members of our community to complete.

Once you have filled out your card and sent it back to [email protected], your message will be transferred onto a physical card and will join the display of cards that have been collected in the past.

The physical cards will be on display in the Health Studies Building at Brandon University the week of November 13^th.

Also watch our social media platforms for a video where the facilitators of the Brandon and Area Suicide Bereavement Support Group will share the completed board and read a few of the messages from the community.

You can find additional resources and virtual events on the Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention (CASP) website.

Follow Brandon SPIN on Facebook and Instagram for more information.

Manitoba Substance Use and Addictions Awareness Week

In conjunction with National Addictions Awareness Week (NAAW), Manitoba Substance Use and Addictions Awareness Week (MSUAAW) focuses on promoting awareness around the effects of alcohol and other drugs, check out some of the events happening. This year, MSUAAW runs from November 19^th to 25^th, and the theme is Inspiration, Innovation, and Inclusion. The theme highlights the drive to create new research, best practices and emerging trends and issues, treatment and prevention initiatives and other innovations that affect the health and safety of people. The MSUAAW committees consist of members in multiple areas throughout the province that focus on providing resource information, community events, lunch and learns, and campaigns promoting the week. This opens opportunities for conversation, questions, information, and community involvement. Within the Prairie Mountain Health region, the MSUAAW Committee is in the process of planning events specific to the region, so please stay tuned for more information. The Committee is always looking for additions to the team, so if interested, you can contact your local members for more information.

As a part of the MSUAAW Committee, the Addictions Services (formerly Addictions Foundation of Manitoba) Team offers their knowledge and expertise in the addictions field. The Addictions Services Team includes Community Addictions Workers, Rehabilitation Counsellors, Youth Workers, Residential Care Workers, Cooks, Building Service Workers, Prevention and Education Consultants, Nurses, Admin Assistants, Supervisors and Director.

Some of the services the Addictions Services Team offer 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 Aricular Acupuncture. Addictions Services has 8 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 do the intake and assessment process. Information is gathered to determine level of involvement with alcohol, substance use and/or gambling and information is provided for services available and/or recommended.

Currently in the Brandon-Parkwood Community Office, intake services are available by phone appointments only during the following times: Monday and Wednesday 9am to 4pm and Friday 9am to noon. In person intake appointments are available upon request. The drop-in in person intake group will be offered soon. In all other locations (including, Dauphin, Swan River, Virden, Rossburn, Minnedosa, and Boissevain) intake services are assigned to 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.

Boissevain 578 Cook Street \| Box 58 Boissevain MB R0K 0E0 Phone: 204-534-2100 Fax: 204-534-2101	Brandon 510 Frederick Street Brandon MB R7A 6Z4 Phone: 204-729-3838 Fax: 204-729-3844	Dauphin 404-1^st Ave NE Dauphin, MB R7N 1A9 Phone: 204-622-2021 Fax: 204-638-6077	Minnedosa Box 1079 Minnedosa MB R0J 1E0 Phone: 204-867-6102 Fax: 204-867-5140
Rossburn 10 Main Street \| Box 399 Rossburn MB R0J1V0 Phone: 204-859-4000 Fax: 204-859-4001	Ste. Rose du Lac Ste. Rose Health Centre 603-1^st Ave E Ste. Rose du Lac, MB R0L 1S0 Phone: 204-622-2266	Swan River 126-6^th Ave N \| Box 141 Swan River, MB R0L 1Z0 Phone: 204-734-2030 Fax: 204-734-9509	Virden 283 Nelson Street W \| Box 2500 Virden MB R0M 2C0 Phone: 204-748-4720 Fax: 204-748-4721

In-House Treatment

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

Parkwood
510 Frederick Street
Brandon MB R7A 6Z4
Phone: 204-729-3838
Fax: 204-729-3844

Transgender Awareness Week | Nov 13-19, 2023

Transgender week was established in 2017 to recognize the issues faced by individual’s whom are transgender and the allies that support them. This week is a time for people to come together and to support the transgender communities by encouraging education, protection from discrimination or hate, and ensuring we are honouring their choices. The week is followed by Trans Day of Remembrance and Resilience (TDoRR) which falls annually on November 20^th. Which is a day of remembrance to individual’s who have lost their lives to transphobic violence.

Individual’s whom express being transgender identity that their gender does not match with the sex they were assigned as birth. There are many terms that may be used by individual’s including male, female, non-binary, gender non-conforming, he/him, she/her, or they/them. Transgender identify may be accompanied with a desire to transition to the gender that one identifies with.

ITgetsbetterCanada suggests ways of developing TransAllyShip within communities, work spaces, and personal lives through these ways:

Do your own research – learning about terminology, experiences, and issues that are impacting the transgender communities
Listening to transgender voices – find out what their experiences have been and remembering one narrative does not fit all.
Normalizing the sharing of pronouns – this helps to create environment that are inclusive and welcoming. Places to include your pronouns can be in verbal introductions, name tags, and email signatures.
Challenging negative comments or jokes that are transphobic – spreading awareness about the negative impacts on comments and jokes helps to reduce barriers and stigma for individuals.