CLBC Update December 2023

CLBC reminder to get your flu
and COVID-19 shots
Community Living BC encourages anyone who has not yet had their flu and COVID-19 update vaccinations to do so as soon as possible.

The BC Centre for Disease Control reports that while COVID-19 activity has started to decline, it continues to be a risk especially for those who remain unvaccinated. At the same time, the number of influenza cases has begun to climb and adult visits to emergency departments for respiratory symptoms have increased.

CLBC encourages the people it serves, families and support workers to get both vaccines at the same time. You can find more information about the fall respiratory illness immunization campaign here.

Individuals supported by CLBC remain a priority to receive the COVID-19 vaccination. Invitations were sent by email or text message to everyone who has registered to receive a COVID-19 immunization in B.C. The invitation has a direct link to book your COVID-19 and flu appointment online. These vaccines are free and available at pharmacies, health authority clinics and some primary care providers’ offices.

You can also book COVID-19 and flu immunizations through the Get Vaccinated system. If you need help scheduling your vaccine appointment, call: 1-833-838-2323. This phone line is available 7 days a week, from 7am to 7pm, and from 9am to 5pm on statutory holidays.

If you are a person who receives CLBC supports and are unsure about getting your shots or still trying to decide, you can listen to a personal message from Dr. Bonnie Henry and stories from other self-advocates on our You Can Too! web page here.

CLBC urges all who intended to get the shots, but have delayed doing so, to book both shots at the same time and before the holiday season.

Mental Health Education Bundle

The Be Mental Health READY education bundle is an array of on-demand/self-paced mental health education sessions consisting of 14 topics with a total of 24 hours of video content that can be accessed anywhere, anytime. The information and resources included in the sessions are beneficial when supporting a client/student/patient/resident/family member/self

In honor of the upcoming Mental Illness Awareness Week (October 1-October 7), we are pleased to offer this bundle for only $75.00 for a limited time.

What is included for $75?
•    Lifetime Access to Be Mental Health READY On-Demand Education Bundle (12 different mental health topics with 20 hours of video
        content including the topics of suicide awareness, self injury and compassion fatigue). Each session includes signs/symptoms, tips and
        strategies and valuable downloadable resources
•    BONUS: Lifetime access to Be Mental Health READY On-Demand education sessions of Mental Illness in the Workplace and Substance
        Use in the Workplace with a total of 4 hours of video content to help in maintaining a psychological healthy work environment. Each
        session includes information on recognizing changes, engaging in conversation, aiding in crisis, discussing possible supports and your
        next steps. Also included are downloadable resources
•    BONUS: 31 Mindfulness Worksheets including a 12-page Mindfulness Guide and Journal
•    BONUS: 17 audio Guided Meditations for sleep and stress/anxiety

To purchase your bundle for this limited time, please visit
https://mentalhealthready.thinkific.com/bundles/be-mental-health-ready

If your organization is interested in purchasing the bundle for your entire staff to access, it is being offered for a limited time for $499. Please email: loriveltkamp@mentalhealthready.com for more information on this option.

Power restored in Kelowna

Hey everyone, looks like the power’s back on in the Okanagan! Another good reminder to keep those emergency preparedness kits stocked with flashlights, batteries, and candles.

Heat warnings

Hey everyone, with the current heat warnings in effect please take extra precautions to keep cool at this time. 

Stay updated on heat warnings and current wildfire info (https://www.emergencyinfobc.gov.bc.ca/) and find out what measures are in place locally for cooling centres and heat response/resources, should you need them.  Example from Kelowna here: https://www.kelowna.ca/our-community/news-events/news/cool-down-locations-available-public-temperatures-climb

Stay safe everyone!

Flooding…

Hey everyone, with the weather alerts notifying us all of heavy rainfall, and the notices of flooding risks in the Province, we wanted to highlight the importance of staying connected to local emergency resources.

The Central Okanagan Emergency Operations Centre has been activated in response to localized flooding. Find out more here.

Get connected to your local emergency operations and keep up to date on emergency information! Stay safe and stay prepared.

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