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.

November is Falls Prevention Month

November is also one month until Christmas! Do you have difficulty knowing what to buy loved ones for Christmas? Do you have people on your Christmas list who have everything already!? This holiday season, give your loved ones gifts that help promote safety and prevent injury.

In an article for The Citizen, Marguerite Thomas lists great gift ideas from the Fall Prevention Community.

For those travelers in your family, consider;

Emergency kit for the car
Car blankets and extra warm clothing such as mitts and toques
Cellular phone or calling card
Taxi vouchers
Non-alcoholic beverages for holiday celebrations when away
Subscription for a travel protection plan
Extra night lights/flashlights for when staying at hotels or bedrooms away from home

Gift ideas which help prevent unintentional falls:

Cordless telephones
Personal protection alarm
Walking/trekking poles
Grip bars for bathtub and toilet
Small clothes baskets or carriers which avoid awkwardness and overbalance
Non-alcoholic beverages for holiday celebrations at home
Specialty safety items from your pharmacy or therapy retailer (ex. Reacher for reaching high places or items on the floor)
Assistive devices ranging from canes to wheelchairs
Flip down ice picks for canes
Gift of snow removal service
Boots with a good grip on the soles. Or ice grippers to use with the boots you already have
Gift certificates for sturdy walking shoes and snowshoes
Warm outer clothing
Housecoats short enough to prevent tripping
Firm slippers with a non-slip sole
No slip socks
Bag of salt/sand mixture, kitty litter or special de-icer friendly to shrubs and sidewalk
Nightlights in home bathrooms and bedrooms
Smartwatch that has fall detection
Smart lighting for the home that can turn off/on with your smartphone app

Items that protect everyone in the home include:

Smoke detectors or batteries for the smoke detector
Safety items for the stove, fireplace or BBQ, including oven mitts
Safe and sturdy step stools or ladders
Renovation of unsafe stairs or any other hazards in the home
Repair of any wobbly furniture
Bath mats or adhesives to avoid slipping in the tub
Floor mats with non-slip backing/suction for inside or outside the tub to absorb moisture and prevent falling
Bright light bulbs
Replacement of any electrical appliances that need a new cord or plug
Welcome mats and large indoor mats or trays to absorb moisture from wet boots
Motion sensor lights for outside

Did you know Prairie Mountain Health has various resources and information on fall prevention, including videos, Fall Risk Checklists, How to Prepare for a Hospital Stay and exercises to help reduce your risk of falling? Visit our website for resources.

Canadian Patient Safety Week | October 23-27, 2023

Every year Prairie Mountain Health (PMH) participates in the national campaign Canadian Patient Safety Week.

Join PMH October 23 – 27 to explore a new approach to safer care and how we can all make an even bigger difference every day.

You are part of the Health Care Team. Support your health care needs and know your wishes are supported when you cannot speak up.

Get an Emergency Response Information Kit (E.R.I.K) available from Support Services to Seniors. Support Services to Seniors is a community-based program for seniors, and individuals living with disabilities that supports health and well-being providing support and assistance to maintain your independence in the community.

Add the following items to your E.R.I.K.

Advance Care Planning – Advance care planning is a way to help you think about, talk about and share your thoughts and wishes about future health care. It gives you a “voice” in decision making, helps you determine who would communicate for you if you are unable to communicate for yourself and should include conversations with your health-care team.

My Patient Passport – A communication tool for patients and family members to keep track of health information and share with health care providers. Prairie Mountain Health strives to create tools and resources to help patients and families engage with their health care provider.

Safe to Ask Medication Card – Patients and families are vital partners in providing accurate and detailed information about the medications they take and how they are taking them. The purpose of the card is to:

Promote safe use of medications,
Encourage people to ask questions about their medications, and
Help healthcare providers and emergency responders know patients’ current medications.

Patient Advocate Agreement – When you receive health services, you may enlist the help of a trusted friend or family member to support you and/or act on your behalf. This person is your patient/resident/client advocate and can be present during your interactions with a healthcare provider.

In partnership with Shared Health and Healthcare Excellence Canada