Pacific Blue Cross

If you’re experiencing mental health distress, you’re not alone. The COVID-19 pandemic is taking a large toll on both the mental and physical health of British Columbians according to a research survey we released today. In it: Almost three times more people (52%) reported poor mental health now, compared to before the start of the pandemic (19%). ... 4 in 10 (42%) reported that they are exercising less, and 3 in 10 (32%) reported having poorer quality sleep. Diet is also an issue as nearly a quarter (24%) answered they are not eating well, with a fifth (19%) stating they are consuming more alcohol. Two thirds of us expect our mental health to deteriorate coming into the fall and winter. The survey also found that most of us don’t know where to access mental health services and have never accessed care for our mental health. However, the majority of survey respondents were aware of crisis lines in the province, and we’ve learned from the Crisis Lines Association of BC that their calls have increased by 27% on average since the pandemic began. This has caused a huge strain on this important service. The Pacific Blue Cross Health Foundation has given a $100,000 donation to 10 regional crisis lines across the province to help support their efforts to help those of us in mental distress or crisis. We’ve posted more information on the research, the crisis line experience, and the donation on our website. https://www.pac.bluecross.ca//health-foundation-donates-10 And if you need safe and anonymous support, contact your community crisis line anytime during the day or night: Call the 310MentalHealth Support line at 310-6789 (no area code required) You can also call 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) of call 911 for help right away First Nations crisis line support is available from KUU-US Crisis Line (adult/elder 250-723-4050, child/youth 250-723-2040)

Our flexible small business health benefits include on-demand doctors. Get 24/7, on-demand access to doctors and a care manager for referrals to specialists along with prescriptions delivered to your door. www.pacificbluecross.ca/smallbusiness

WEBSITE ALERT

These are challenging times in BC and staying healthy is more important than ever. That’s why Pacific Blue Cross has flexible health benefits for your small business. www.pacificbluecross.ca/smallbusiness

On #OrangeShirtDay, we wear orange to acknowledge, raise awareness of, and honour all those impacted by the residential school experience. Today, and every day, we stand together with our fellow community members in the spirit of healing and reconciliation. #EveryChildMatters First Nations Health Authority

As a pillar partner of the BC Women’s Health Foundation, we’re excited to sponsor GLOW 2020, a virtual gala event on October 3, 2020, that aims to raise essential funds and spread awareness for reproductive mental health research at BC Women’s Hospital. GLOW 2020 also includes an online fundraising auction, on now until October 3 (details in the post below) all in support of women’s health. Learn more about this inspirational event: pac.bluecross.ca//bcwhf-event-raises-funds-for-reproductiv #BCWomensGLOW

Our recently enhanced Blue Chip benefits plan is easy, flexible and affordable. It offers a range of options and built-in benefits that are tailor-made for the needs of small- to medium-sized businesses in BC. See what’s new in the latest edition of Business in Vancouver:

Day 1 of the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade’s 2020 Health Care Forum Health in a Time of COVID-19 presented by Pacific Blue Cross is in the bag! Thanks to Dr. Patricia Daly, Chief Medical Health Officer, Vancouver Coastal Health for insights on BC’s COVID-19 experience. Andre Picard, author and health columnist for the Globe and Mail brought his journalism expertise to moderate our esteemed panel with Dr. Kathleen Ross, President, Doctors of BC, Dr. Shannon McDonald, Act...ing Chief Medical Health Officer, First Nations Health Authority, Dr. Marina Adshade, Assistant Professor of Teaching in the Vancouver School of Economics at UBC, and our very own Leza Muir, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. Their topic? The future of health care delivery and administration. They discussed the biggest and lasting changes/trends in health care due to the pandemic, new work-related health issues arising from our new reality, and the evolution of care in different communities across BCincluding the impact on women, who have been particularly hard hit. Day 2 of the forum happens on Thursday Oct 22nd from 9:00 10:30 am, focusing on innovation and technologies shaping care. You still have time to register. Go to boardoftrade.com and search for Events.

We’re so proud to once again sponsor the Community Champion Award at the YWCA Metro Vancouver Women of Distinction Awards. Congratulations to all the nominees, and to this year’s winner, Margaret Mubanda! Learn more at https://ywcavan.org/2020-ywca-women-dist/community-champion #YWCAWODA

This year’s YWCA Women of Distinction Awards virtual event was as inspiring as ever! We would like to send a big, heartfelt congratulations to all of the nominees & winners of this year’s awards. We’re so proud to be a sponsor of this annual celebration of achievement. #YWCAWODA

We’re proud to be a pillar partner of the BC Women’s Health Foundation (BCWHF). In 2019, the ground-breaking report, In Her Words: Women’s Experience with the Healthcare System in BC, commissioned by the BCWHF and sponsored by Pacific Blue Cross, shed a light on the health care gap faced by women in our province. The BCWHF continues to address key women’s health issues with a new survey that examines the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, and they invite you to share your experience. See their post below for details:

Today, the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade (GVBOT) announced the Advisory Committee of the Diversity and Inclusion Leadership Council (DLC). This diverse board of leaders will support businesses in greater Vancouver to better understand and achieve diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We’re proud to share that Rob Chiarello, Senior Vice President, People & Culture, at Pacific Blue Cross has joined the DLC as a Vice-Chair of the Executive Committee for 2020-2021. Learn more about this important initiative: https://www.boardoftrade.com//1861-news-release-gvbot-anno

Personal health insurance from Pacific Blue Cross can help British Columbians without an employee benefits plan stay healthy. Learn more about our personal health plans, now including access to virtual health care services https://vancouversun.com//personal-health-insurance-helps-

Congratulations to all the participants and winners in our most recent 2020 Pacific Blue Cross Health Challenge. So many great goals were set and we hope it inspired you to build some new healthy habits to help you feel your best.

Let’s hear it for the home team! We’re excited to cheer on the Vancouver Canucks as they take on the Vegas Golden Knights in round two of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. And, we’re proud to show our true-blue support by raising the #Canucks flag at our home office here in Burnaby. Go Canucks Go!

It's here! Join us between 6-9pm here on Facebook as Burnaby Pride goes live with their first ever virtual #pride event or you can tune in and watch live on YouTube: https://youtu.be/RdKmbPdUyIY... #prideinhealth