mental health

Lifeworks’ Mental Health Index measures current data against pre-pandemic benchmarks. (Pexels)

COVID-19 isolation has impacted mental health of 1-in-5 Canadians, survey finds

Report also found some workers are struggling with their employers’ unclear return to work plans

Lifeworks’ Mental Health Index measures current data against pre-pandemic benchmarks. (Pexels)
A Muslim student wearing a mask with the colors of the pro-independence East Turkistan flag, holds a poster during a rally outside the Chinese Embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia, Thursday, March 25, 2021. About a dozen of students staged the rally calling to an end to alleged oppression against Muslim Uyghur ethnic minority in China’s region of Xinjiang. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)

‘I have to do my part’: Canadians across the country walking for a cause and to heal

Malik is one of several Canadians who are currently walking hundreds of kilometres uphill and downhill

A Muslim student wearing a mask with the colors of the pro-independence East Turkistan flag, holds a poster during a rally outside the Chinese Embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia, Thursday, March 25, 2021. About a dozen of students staged the rally calling to an end to alleged oppression against Muslim Uyghur ethnic minority in China’s region of Xinjiang. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)
Researching alcohol’s affects on the brain encouraged a Surrey man to ask for help. (Pixabay.com)

‘I should be dead’: Surrey father speaks about his struggles with alcohol

Father of five hopes his story encourages at least one other person to ask for help

Researching alcohol’s affects on the brain encouraged a Surrey man to ask for help. (Pixabay.com)
Langley-based musician Dallas Smith, pictured during the “One Night in the Valley” fundraiser at Cloverdale Agriplex in 2019, will headline the Lifted Hotel Festival in Vancouver this September. (File photo: Lauren Collins)

Concert-goers to see stage from hotel balconies at Dallas Smith’s Lifted festival in Vancouver

Benefit concerts Sept. 17-18 at Westin Bayshore Hotel

Langley-based musician Dallas Smith, pictured during the “One Night in the Valley” fundraiser at Cloverdale Agriplex in 2019, will headline the Lifted Hotel Festival in Vancouver this September. (File photo: Lauren Collins)
Surrey RCMP photo

Surrey Mounties responded to 3,064 mental health calls in first half of 2021

Of those, 862 involved suicidal people

Surrey RCMP photo
The province is granting Anxiety Canada $555,000 to develop a series of mental health literacy videos, called Behind The Mask. (Unsplash)

B.C. to fund ‘Behind the Mask’ mental health video series for children, teens

The province is spending $555,000 on the digital awareness initiative in partnership with Anxiety Canada

The province is granting Anxiety Canada $555,000 to develop a series of mental health literacy videos, called Behind The Mask. (Unsplash)
A scene from “Breakwater,” a new digital play created by Some Assembly Theatre Company and Roundhouse Youth Theatre Action Group (RHYTAG). (submitted photo: Gaetan Nerincx)

‘Breakwater’ play sees Surrey musician mentor youth with company that gave her confidence

Sophie Labrie helped craft songs for new ‘digital play,’ to debut June 30

A scene from “Breakwater,” a new digital play created by Some Assembly Theatre Company and Roundhouse Youth Theatre Action Group (RHYTAG). (submitted photo: Gaetan Nerincx)
Conservative MP Tom Kmiec waves to the crowd during the Calgary Stampede parade in Calgary, Friday, July 8, 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Newborn daughter’s death inspires MP’s bill on bereavement leave for parents

Conservative MP Tom Kmiec says a day or two off not enough for some grieving parents

Conservative MP Tom Kmiec waves to the crowd during the Calgary Stampede parade in Calgary, Friday, July 8, 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
South Surrey-White Rock MP Kerry-Lynne Findlay (inset) is calling on the federal government to speed up the process of creating a three-digit suicide-prevention hotline. (File photos)

South Surrey-White Rock MP calls on feds to hasten suicide-prevention hotline

We have an increased number of people who are struggling, says Kerry-Lynne Findlay

South Surrey-White Rock MP Kerry-Lynne Findlay (inset) is calling on the federal government to speed up the process of creating a three-digit suicide-prevention hotline. (File photos)
Basketball nets have been removed at a school closed due to COVID-19 in Mississauga, Ont., on Tuesday, March 31, 2020. Advocates are mounting a campaign to declare a crisis among Canadian youth as children’s hospitals report a staggering rise in the demand for mental health services during the pandemic.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

Advocates say Canada’s youth mental health crisis has ‘life and death’ stakes

#CodePink campaign urges action to combat the havoc the pandemic is wreaking on youth

Basketball nets have been removed at a school closed due to COVID-19 in Mississauga, Ont., on Tuesday, March 31, 2020. Advocates are mounting a campaign to declare a crisis among Canadian youth as children’s hospitals report a staggering rise in the demand for mental health services during the pandemic.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
White Rock has voted to bring two resolutions before the Union of B.C. Municipalities aimed at improving police response to mental health crises. (File photo)

White Rock resolutions aim to limit police involvement in mental health crises

City seeks support from UBCM, and individual municipalities

White Rock has voted to bring two resolutions before the Union of B.C. Municipalities aimed at improving police response to mental health crises. (File photo)
Maintaining a routine can help to normalize your day-to-day during social distancing amidst COVID-19. (Corey Bullock file)

Group offering support to Surrey, White Rock residents who are dealing with anxiety

Recovery International hosts virtual meetings every Thursday

Maintaining a routine can help to normalize your day-to-day during social distancing amidst COVID-19. (Corey Bullock file)
Ally Thomas, 12, seen in an undated family handout photo, died on April 14 from a suspected overdose. Her family says they are frustrated more public supports weren't available when they tried to get her help. THE CANADIAN PRESS

Minister says suspected overdose death of 12-year-old pushing B.C. to ‘do better’

Minister Sheila Malcolmson of Mental Health and Addictions says the government is working ‘as hard as we can’ to build a system of care for youths

Ally Thomas, 12, seen in an undated family handout photo, died on April 14 from a suspected overdose. Her family says they are frustrated more public supports weren't available when they tried to get her help. THE CANADIAN PRESS
B.C. announced the launch of an app May 7 that connects youth struggling with mental health and substance use with “life-saving” social services. (Screen grab)

5 years in the making: Mental health app for youth and children launches in B.C.

The province provided $1.6-million to fund a virtual care platform

B.C. announced the launch of an app May 7 that connects youth struggling with mental health and substance use with “life-saving” social services. (Screen grab)
Surrey Memorial Hospital emergency department entrance. (Photo: Lauren Collins)

Youth counselling services expand to Surrey Memorial and other hospitals with $1.35M grant

Dan’s Legacy Foundation to provide free mental health, substance-use outreach

Surrey Memorial Hospital emergency department entrance. (Photo: Lauren Collins)
NDP MP Sheila Malcolmson speaks with the media about her private members bill regarding abandoned vessels, in Ottawa on Thursday, November 30, 2017. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

B.C. to add mental health, substance use support for youth to 15 communities

Roughly $56 million, as part of the 2021 provincial budget, will be used to launch the teams

NDP MP Sheila Malcolmson speaks with the media about her private members bill regarding abandoned vessels, in Ottawa on Thursday, November 30, 2017. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
The Surrey Fire Fighters’ Charitable Society and Surrey Honda have partnered together for a second year in a row for a car raffle to support local mental health initiatives. (Submitted photo)

Surrey firefighters’ 2nd car raffle supports mental health initiatives

Funds raised go to support three programs

The Surrey Fire Fighters’ Charitable Society and Surrey Honda have partnered together for a second year in a row for a car raffle to support local mental health initiatives. (Submitted photo)
A man pauses at a coffin after carrying it during a memorial march to remember victims of overdose deaths in Vancouver. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. announces historic half-billion-dollar funding for overdose crisis, mental health

Of it, $152 million will be used to address the opioid crisis and see the creation of 195 new substance use treatment beds

A man pauses at a coffin after carrying it during a memorial march to remember victims of overdose deaths in Vancouver. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Sheila Malcolmson, B.C.’s minister of mental health and addictions (Screen shot)

Minister of mental health tells Surrey audience COVID-19 ‘has made everything worse’

More than 23,000 people in B.C. are receiving medication to treat opioid addiction

Sheila Malcolmson, B.C.’s minister of mental health and addictions (Screen shot)
Sheila Malcolmson, B.C.’s minister of mental health and addictions (Screen shot)

Minister of mental health tells Surrey audience COVID-19 ‘has made everything worse’

More than 23,000 people in B.C. are receiving medication to treat opioid addiction

Sheila Malcolmson, B.C.’s minister of mental health and addictions (Screen shot)
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