Sunshine Coast Health Centre

How are you maintaining your mental health over the holidays? Share your tips or ask for advice in the comments below! "It’s important to be open and recognize that this can be a difficult time for some. Be kind to yourself and your family members if your mood isn’t as jolly as you would like.

Alumni support meetings for this week: Monday Kelowna 6pm Tuesday Edmonton 7 pm, Langley 7 pm Wednesday Winnipeg 6:30 pm... Friday Langley 7 pm See more

"It needs a whole social support, legal support, food stability, housing stability for these people, as well as all of the social, psychological and medical support that these people need and I think we are falling behind,"

People need to see someone now. It’s no good to wait three weeks from now or a month from now when you’ve sunk back down into it. It’s when you’re ready, in the moment, that people need access.

Remember to slow down and appreciate what is in front of you. Happy Saturday, everyone! #schclife #naturetherapy #ourbackyard

I know that there are families right now in the exact same spot I was five years ago, and searching for resources and feeling like they're drowning and not being able to help their child, Christianson said. It's just a tragedy, it's terrible.

It just doesn't make sense to fill up our jails to solve a problem like substance use ... We're never going to get a handle on this crisis until we start making those moves"

"That strategy could include needle drop-off locations, safe consumption sites, traditional ceremonial spaces, detox facilities and addictions support services."

With Winter around the corner, these are great reminders to make space for yourself. Find small ways to improve your days!

Just because someone has a family, shows up to work, and appears to be functioning is not always an indicator that all is well #endthestigma

"It went from trying it once or twice to being an all day, every day user within a few weeks." "Dane's descent into meth addiction and his ascent into recovery is the subject of the new short film After Meth."

Check out this great graphic explanation about Meaning and the story of Viktor Frankl! "Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of human freedoms - to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way"

"Alberta Health Services (AHS) is partnering with Togetherall a free, online network that offers anonymous, peer-to-peer mental health services 24 hours a day, seven days a week."

So much uncertainty that is the main thing that we end up talking about is how to live in a world where we don’t know what’s coming next, said Korol, estimating the pandemic is a topic of conversation in about 75 per cent of her sessions. It comes up in almost every session."

"She couldn’t believe her eyes when a staff member sent her a recent picture of her brother." He looks so healthy. He talks about going forward and not about his past. His mind is clear and he has hope now.

We know that in Canada, three out of every four suicides are men. It’s a big topic that we need to shine a light on and flip the script on and make sure that guys know it’s okay to talk,

"A Saskatchewan woman says her son overdosed five times. When he was ready to get help, the family had to seek care out of province."

Life is only a reflection of what we allow ourselves to see. - Trudy Symeonakis Vesotsky #schclife

"Mark and I, we're capable, competent adults and we are so frustrated and so exhausted from this system," said Sheena Eraut, who is no longer married to Mark. "It has been incredibly traumatic and totally soul destroying."

"While the goal was the same, without a path to follow, everyone went about it in different ways. I couldn’t help but think about how the individualized experience in the forest mirrored the work each of these guys was doing at SCHC." -Kye Taylor, SCHC Kinesiologist . : Steve, Client

I have not been sober in the way I would like to be sober, where you don’t have secrets, and you’re not afraid to tell people about the gray area you’re going through.

It's very gradual, and subtle ... until eventually (it reached) the point that it was a change that you couldn’t go back from. I couldn’t reach him anymore.

Did you know your brain can heal on a neurochemical level when you stop drinking? It happens pretty quickly too! 'Even if the transition to a sober brain is a bit difficult at first, your memory and your neurotransmitters will thank you."

Healthy people rely on themselves for direction. Those vulnerable to addiction, however, rely on the external world to keep them amused, says Geoff Thompson, program director at Sunshine Coast Health Centre,"

Environment, support systems, and having the right skills and tools make all the difference in your long term recovery.

We know that the production and marketing and distribution of alcohol does create employment and generate income, but the question is, at what cost? "She said harms related to alcohol use amount to about $14 billion a year, including for health care."

Looking forward our Alumni Support Meetings this week Here are this week’s details for alumni to join any meeting in any city for support. Monday: Kelowna 6 pm PST... Tuesday: Langley 6 pm PST and Edmonton 7 pm MST Wednesday: Calgary 7 pm MST Friday: Langley 7 pm PST See more

"We want to really talk about these challenges or potential barriers to people being engaged in digital health and virtual care because it's only going to become more important as we move forward," said Risling.

We believe this piece is critical to helping a client with any problem they bring to us. It means being ready to help with medical concerns and issues, connection with families and friends, work-life balance (stress management), and spiritual wellness.

"Then the program's team would help that person through the system finding them housing, detox, drug treatment and, eventually, addiction-free housing. "It's a very large program after the initial step, but this has to be done," said MacEwan."

Back in the spring, we started a line to access CAMH, giving health care providers doctors, nurses, personal support workers, in different health care settings including long term care a way to reach out to us if they needed help. And we matched them to the right level of support.

Looking ahead to our Alumni Support Meetings this week: Monday: Kelowna 6 pm PST Tuesday: Langley 6 pm PST and Edmonton 7 pm MST Wednesday: Calgary 7 pm MST... Friday: Langley 7 pm PST See more

Here are this week's online meetings for our SCHC Alumni. You can join any meeting for any city, so when you need support in your recovery please join our online sessions! (September 28 - October 2) Monday: Kelowna 6 pm PST Tuesday: Langley & Vancouver's Men Being Honest 7 pm PST,Edmonton 7 pm MST... Wednesday: Calgary 7 pm MST Friday: Langley 7 pm PST See more

It can be hard to accept feelings related to trauma, but trying to ignore or push them away will not help. Instead, try to embrace those feelings so you can become confident in your actions and your response.

"Men can come take a shower, get a warm meal and get any clothes they need from a wall of donation bins in the backroom...Volunteers do everything...from cooking warm food to helping them apply for health cards or showing them how to do laundry."

"It will also provide care for thousands of people, including frontline health workers and first responders, who need such critical supports during these challenging times.

"The mobile teams support people living in the community with complex mental health challenges, often compounded by substance use, by delivering their medication, taking them to appointments, providing supports for substance use disorder, helping them find housing or intervening when someone is in crisis."

"Helen connected with an NUA operator, who wrote down her location. She was then free to use with no judgment or jargon, knowing that there was someone on the other end ready to call EMS in her area if anything went wrong."

Spend your weekend in nature. You will have no regrets! #schclife #clientadventures #soberfun

Doo you know our approach at SCHC? We approach clients with real curiosity and a willingness to listen carefully to their concerns. We believe this piece is critical to helping a client with any problem they bring to us. It means being ready to help with medical concerns and issues, connection with families and friends, work-life balance (stress management), and spiritual wellness. Learn more about our programs and facility on our website: www.sunshinecoasthealthcentre.ca

"Several factors contribute to food cravings: Cravings as self-medication...Cravings as addiction...Cravings as allergy/sensitivity..."

"The Canadian Mental Health Association says waitlists to see experts can be lengthy. That can range from six to 12-18 months depending on where a person resides in the province,

"The courage to make yourself vulnerable is the first key in getting and staying sober. But I needed an alternative to AA."

We’ve been developing licensed and accredited mental health programs with an extraordinary record of high quality care since 1991 and Sunshine Coast Health Centre is one of six treatment facilities we oversee. Our men’s programs brings together the collective expertise of highly-trained professionals to provide evidence-based treatment for high-functioning and motivated men struggling with their mental health

Looking forward our Alumni Support Meetings this week Here are this week’s details for alumni to join any meeting in any city for support. Monday:Kelowna6 pm PST Tuesday:Langley 6 pm PST andEdmonton7 pm MST Wednesday: Calgary7 pm MST... Friday: Langley7 pm PST See more

Particularly with fentanyl, every time you take it, it could be your last second on Earth. And anyone who gets it from you, it could be their last second on Earth."

"The extra funding "will support an additional 100 people who have addiction concerns, providing evidence-based interventions that allow these individuals to return to their families and employment, and enjoy a better quality of life."

We need an emergency response, said Leslie McBain, co-founder of advocacy group Moms Stop the Harm. Because death is the most important thing here, and safe supply and easier access is key to stopping this ridiculous and tragic number of deaths.

We need to dedicate more time to make real connections. No more "I'm fine"! #mentalhealthweek #mentalhealthmatters #getreal

"His own children didn't understand too much about his mental health at the time when he was at his lowest...When I was going through my troubles, I had a lot of guilt issues I think it was because we didn't really educate them,"

Before turning to unhealthy coping mechanisms look for resources and support in your community or virtual support online. Everyone benefits from better health conversations! #MensMentalHealth #StopStereotypes #EndStigma

More than ever, people in Canada deserve timely and effective #MentalHealth care. There is no health without mental health. Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health #MIAW20 https://www.camimh.ca/

These #powellriver views never get old Miles and miles of uninhabited wilderness and all of nature’s beauty

"Addictions is something that has plagued Indigenous communities for generations often used as a coping mechanism in the face of colonization, residential school, the 60’s Scoop and continued systemic discrimination."

Check out this week’s online meetings for our SCHC Alumni! You can join any meeting for any city to find the support you need in your recovery Monday 6 pm PST: Kelowna Tuesday 7 pm PST: Nanaimo, Langley & Vancouver's Men Being Honest Wednesday 7 pm MST: Calgary... Thursday 7 pm EST: Toronto Friday 7 pm PST: Langley See more

We know that clients who have a positive treatment experience have a higher likelihood of completing their program and better long-term prospects for recovery as a result. We ensure our private oceanfront locations and their many features provide this positive experience. Learn more about our facilities (link in bio)

Our new website is live and our staff love it! "Super clean, well laid out and easy to navigate. Gold stars!" Check it out and let us know what you think: www.sunshinecoasthealthcentre.ca #websitelaunch #newwebsite #addictionrecovery #mentalhealthtreatment

"There’s a stigma around men feeling weak so we want to end that stigma. You can still be strong and robust and a tough guy, but you can be vulnerable and talk about how you’re feeling, your emotions, and struggles at the same time.

"Provincial Health Officer Bonnie Henry issued a public-health order on Wednesday that, coupled with forthcoming policy changes, will allow registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses to prescribe, make more medications available, and expand eligibility to people who are at risk of overdose, including those who may not necessarily be diagnosed with a substance use disorder."

"Rehabilitation is only the first part. The second part is sitting a person down and figuring out what their goals are, what they want to do with their lives to be successful," said Burrell.

Alcoholics Anonymous may be one of the most common treatment programs out there, but it doesn’t work for everyone. Recovery can be supported in a variety of ways. Different people with different conditions need slightly different approaches to healing. Finding the right management and recovery support for alcoholism and drug use disorder starts with gathering information. Check out our latest blog post for more info

As a teenager, I had been a gifted student and athlete, surrounded by friends whose dreams were as high as my own. Now I was completely alone, with nothing left but the wreckage of my life.

The loss of these clinics will be devastating to the patients currently on treatment, and the effects on Albertans have already been felt as the clinics are not able to accept any new referrals at this time given their impending closure,

"The centre will develop innovative protocols in medication use to support crystal meth treatment that can be applied provincially." #saskatchewan

Now that we've put the systems in place, it's going to improve our services in general. I don't think we'll ever stop doing, at least some form of, virtual programming after this.

"Instead of "criminalizing" people who have small amounts of drugs for personal use, she said, the teams connect them with health care, mental health and addiction supports."

We know how to make good use of a long weekend in the summer! #joustingrink #slipandslide #funinrecovery #schclife

"These new regulations are an extremely significant step forward to protect people and improve oversight and the quality of care,"

Dr. Gabor Maté says it's because not enough of us recognize the intense personal trauma that pushes a person to become dependent on illicit substances. "In our society, we tend to look at people's behaviours, rather than ask what is behind the behaviour,"

In spite of having the outward appearance of success such as families, social circles, good jobs, and material possessions, our clients describe their inner world as one beset by boredom, anger, depression, loneliness, and a nagging feeling of emptiness (like lost souls wandering without a direction).

Old and young, experienced or novice, pregame excitement, puck drop, and the holler of next goal wins! Hockey is one of the top activities at our center! Do you play, watch, or live hockey? #sobersports #sobermode #sobercommunity

September has started and our Alumni Support Meetings are going strong! See this weeks schedule below. . Monday 6 pm PST: Kelowna Tuesday 7 pm PST: Nanaimo, Langley & Vancouver's Men Being Honest Wednesday 7 pm MST: Calgary... Thursday 7 pm EST: Toronto Friday 7 pm PST: Langley See more

It isn’t going to be a wasted investment, it may not be a large enough investment but nonetheless, it’s an investment in something that we need now I think we also need to look at the other parts of that continuum.

While drug and alcohol treatment centers can function without having a withdrawal management program on site, our clients soon come to appreciate the benefit of having an onsite detoxification unit, especially when medical professionals are involved. Benefits of having a medical unit include immediate admission since we do not require you have a certain amount of sober time before entering treatment. Our clients also appreciate the slower pace in a medical detox program that allows for time to rest and consult with medical staff before transitioning into the demands of group therapy.

For too long, families have had to struggle to get the services that they need for their children, said Darcy. They’ve often had to knock on one door after another, after another, at a really critical time when help is urgently needed and when every day can matter.

"I felt completely hopeless...I couldn't navigate the system. I didn't know what the resources were out there."

It was a beautiful day to be alive and sober

Having a healthy, anti-inflammatory diet reduces the other dysfunctional and even inflammatory ‘noise’ in the body that can be at the root cause for symptoms or disease,

Based out of #powellriver River, BC as a resident program, we serve first responders (firefighters, paramedics, police, RCMP), veterans, armed forces, corrections officers, and other helping professionals who are struggling with occupational trauma and work-related stress injuries and are seeking trauma treatment options. Our occupational trauma program is filled with clients from Vancouver, Burnaby, Victoria and other cities in British Columbia and throughout Canada.

"We have more people dying from overdoses in many provinces than from COVID-19,

"The line between social drinking and alcohol abuse is not always clear, leaving some families to wonder how they can best support their relative."

Interested in taking a look at our facility? Check out our Virtual Tour! At Sunshine Coast Health Center, we have intentionally designed our facility so that clients are motivated to stay, rather than feeling obligated. Our well-maintained facility and property keep distractions to a minimum so that clients and staff can focus on the primary task at hand: a client’s healing and growth. https://www.sunshinecoasthealthcentre.ca/tour/

Today is #internationaloverdoseawarenessday A day that aims to raise awareness of overdose and reduce the #stigma of a drug-related death. It also acknowledges the grief felt by families and friends remembering those who have died or had a permanent injury as a result of drug overdose.... International Overdose Awareness Day spreads the message that overdose death is preventable. Thousands of people die each year from drug overdose. They come from all walks of life. Help is available. Recovery is possible @overdoseawarenessday