Here to Help is a BC-based resource there to help you take care of your mental health and use substances in healthier ways, find the information you need to manage mental health and substance use problems, and learn how you can support a loved one. Check out their website, and pass along the information!
Upcoming Virtual Training – Mental Health, COVID-19, and Health & Wellbeing Conference!
Hey everyone, don’t miss out on these upcoming training opportunities!
October 22 – November 26, 2020
info
Thursdays from 1:30-3:30 PM EST
Let’s Learn Research
Join a virtual course for adults with developmental disabilities to learn about mental health research. Let’s Learn Research is led by researchers at the Azrieli Adult Neurodevelopmental Centre and will run every Thursday from October 22 to November 26 from 1:30 to 3:30 pm.
November 3 – December 8, 2020
Click here for more info
Tuesdays from 1:00-2:30 PM EST
Mental Health for adults with developmental disabilities during COVID
The Azrieli Adult Neurodevelopmental Centre at CAMH is hosting a new virtual course beginning November 3, 2020. This course is for family caregivers of adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities (IDD). The curriculum will specifically address the mental health challenges that this population can face during the COVID-19 pandemic.
November 26-27, 2020
7th Biennial Conference on Developmental Disabilities: Health and Wellbeing across the Lifespan VIRTUAL CONFERENCE
Online registration is now OPEN, Early Bird Registration available until October 30th.The term developmental disabilities (DD) refers to people with intellectual disability, autism spectrum, fetal alcohol spectrum and related neurodevelopmental genetic syndromes. Children, youth, and adults with DD are vulnerable to high rates of general health and mental health concerns. This interactive 2020 conference will focus on practical strategies to optimize the quality of life for people with DD. Our goal is to help clinicians and caregivers learn effective ways to work with people with DD, and their families, in partnership to improve their quality of life experience. The conference will also provide educational and informative psychiatric, behavioural, mental health, and complex physical health updates specific to people with DD, and showcase best practices in the field. This conference will engage health care providers and educators from a wide range of professional disciplines in knowledge transfer and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Click here for more info
Please note that the conference is scheduled to run from 8:30am – 12:30 pm PST / 11:30 – 3:30pm EST (-/+ 30 minutes) from November 26-27, 2020. The registration fee includes access to the conference portal for the days registered, as well as viewing of all session recordings for two weeks after the conference adjourns.
Do Your Best…
Your social distancing reminder of the week…
Hey everyone, I came across this list of over 50 activities that can be social-distancing-friendly — check it out! Which ones do you think look like the most fun?
Thanksgiving weekend…
Thanksgiving weekend is here! Holidays look different this year as we move into our “new normal” keeping our “bubbles” small, and staying safe and healthy at least 2m apart.
The CDC website has suggestions for safer celebration alternatives for Dia De Los Muertos, Halloween and Thanksgiving. Here are suggestions for lower risk activities over Thanksgiving:
- Having a small dinner with only people who live in your household
- Preparing traditional family recipes for family and neighbors, especially those at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19, and delivering them in a way that doesn’t involve contact with others
- Having a virtual dinner and sharing recipes with friends and family
- Shopping online rather than in person on the day after Thanksgiving or the next Monday
- Watching sports events, parades, and movies from home
And here’s an example of how you can get creative! Have a Thanksgiving “dinner” online via videoconference, where everyone eats a turkey meal that the “host” prepares the day before and drops off at “guests’” homes that morning.
Stay healthy and safe this long weekend, as we all connect with loved ones.
Try me…
34 Self Care Ideas
Looking to take care of yourself this weekend, but not sure where to start? Check out these 34 ideas for treating yourself, taking a mental break, and getting out for a bit! It’s a printable PDF, so you can check off what you try and keep track of your favorites. Share the list with your friends and family!
Day by day…
New Mental Health Supports…
Local news reports from Castanet.net in Kelowna announced six new Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) teams in BC to help BC residents with severe mental health challenges access community-based support.
One of the new mobile teams will be based in Kelowna delivering 24/7 flexible, individualized community living, psychosocial, and recovery supports for adults with serious, complex, and persistent mental health challenges that make it difficult to manage day-to-day activities.
We will continue to post new information as it becomes available.
Wellness Together Canada
Responding to an unprecedented pandemic is hard. If you are struggling, reach out for help. Wellness Together Canada provides mental health and substance use support with access 24/7 and no fees. Their website also has a list of available youth and adult resources. Check it out, and share with others!
