Rideau Community Health Services

Rideau Community Health Services (RCHS) is recruiting for a Complex Community Care Nurse! For more information on this opportunity, or to apply, visit our website at https://www.rideauchs.ca//car/complex-community-care-nurse.

Join us for a four-week, guided meditation group to support relaxation and emotional wellness. Group sessions will be held at the Merrickville Library meeting room every Friday in June. Register online by heading over to the events calendar on our website at http://ow.ly/T8WT50J9rMm and submitting your name and contact details, or call 613-269-3400 for more information.

Some of our nursing staff enjoying a potluck lunch last week in recognition of Nursing Week 2022. Shout out to our very special guest Wyatt who came for lunch!

Our friends at the Adult Learning & Training Centre are offering a 13-session program aimed at encouraging participants to "get ahead" by building resources and creating a plan for getting out of poverty. Sessions are offered in Carleton Place and Perth, with new sessions starting on May 17 and May 19, 2022. For more information check out their website at www.altclanark.com or call (613) 284-2121.

Happy Nurses Week to all nurses at RCHS and across the province! We are proud to recognize and thank nurses this week (and every week) for their ongoing dedication and the amazing support they provide to our communities. Please take a moment to thank the nurses in your life this week

On this last weekday of Mental Health week let’s circle back to the theme this year Empathy! In today’s animated video clip Dr. Brené Brown discusses what empathy is, the four qualities of empathy and how empathy creates connection with others. Although Mental Health week is coming to an end, mental health is important for us all to work on cultivating and nurturing in ourselves and others every day of the year. Remember to reach out if you need a hand managing your own mental health. RCHS offers counselling services and/or referrals to specialized supports for all community members in Lanark, Leeds, & Grenville. Be kind to yourself and to others and have a great weekend! http://ow.ly/k6Zu50IVTG3

Today, May 5th, is the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. On this day of national importance we can honour the MMIWG... by embracing and supporting community healing. We recognize the epidemic of MMIWG here in Canada, in the United States and around the world. Indigenous women and girls in Canada are disproportionately affected by violence and are over-represented in the rate of women that are murdered and go missing. The rate of homicide of Indigenous women is five times higher than non-Indigenous women. This day has become synonymous with red dresses and even known as Red Dress Day because of Jaime Black's The REDress Project. Metis artist Jaime Black, who is based in Winnipeg, founded the REDress Project to focus on the issue of missing or murdered Aboriginal women across Canada. The project is a visual reminder of the staggering number of women who are no longer with us. Black chose the colour red after speaking with an indigenous friend who told her that red is the only colour spirits can see and is a way of calling the spirits of missing and murdered women and girls back to their loved ones. Today, please take a moment to acknowledge the MMIWG. If you are able, wear something red in solidarity.

Empathy can mean tuning in to another person and seeing through their eyes. Today we are throwing kitchen utensils at you in the form of spoon and fork theory. Sometimes folks struggle to understand why folks experiencing poor mental health can’t just get up and get on with it and wonder how simple tasks like showering and brushing teeth can seem like impossible challenges. Check out this informative video on managing different units of energy while experiencing poor mental health. Mental Health week reminds us to #GetReal about how to help and to tune in before we weigh in. http://ow.ly/wUwN50IVTA9

RCHS has another student job opportunity available for this summer! We will be recruiting for a Student Accounting Assistant! If you are interested in applying or want to know more, please visit our website at https://www.rideauchs.ca//car/student-accounting-assistant

Yesterday we shared a powerful video depicting the reality many folks experiencing depression face. Today we would like to highlight a video that offers information and tools for people who know, care for, and want to support someone who struggles with depression. Understanding how depression works is helpful, understanding the right things to say and do for the people we care about, and for ourselves, can be life changing. Please take a few moments to watch this important video. If you are struggling to manage your relationship with someone due to mental health challenges, please reach out for support to friends, family, and/or community resources. RCHS offers counselling services and/or referrals to specialized supports to community members in Lanark, Leeds & Grenville. http://ow.ly/SSpY50IVTuP

Let’s talk about depression. The WHO estimates that approximately 264 million people worldwide struggle with depression. While we may recognize the prevalence of depression, many of us don’t understand what depression is or how it impacts folks who experience it. The following video is a terrific depiction of the reality of depression for many people. Please take a few moments to watch. If you are struggling with depression and need support please reach out to family, friends, and/or community resources. RCHS offers counselling services and/or referrals to specialized supports to Lanark, Leeds & Grenville community members. http://ow.ly/omox50IVTpu

May 2-8 is Mental Health Week and the theme this year is Empathy. Empathy is an important skill we can all use in our relationships with family, friends, co-workers, strangers, and ourselves. Check out the CAMH website at CMHA Mental Health Week - Canadian Mental Health Association to find articles and resources on how to hone your empathy skills. RCHS will be posting more helpful links and useful information about mental health all week, be sure to check our page daily!

RCHS has some news to share! Today we were joined by MPP Steve Clark (MPP for LeedsGrenvilleThousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, and the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing) as he announced an investment by the Ontario Government in a phase 1 capital planning grant for a Health and Social Services Hub in Smiths Falls. We are grateful to MPP Clark for his continued advocacy on our behalf, and the Ministry of Health for recognizing the importance of this project which wi...ll benefit the people and community of Smiths Falls and surrounding areas. This is very exciting news for RCHS, our partners, and our communities as we enter the planning phase for the new integrated health facility. You can read the full media release on our website: https://www.rideauchs.ca//ontario-government-invests-ridea

RCHS is recruiting for two summer students! We have two Student Medical Receptionist positions available this year for our Merrickville and Smiths Falls sites. If you are interested in applying or want to know more, please visit our website at https://www.rideauchs.ca/about/careers-rchs.