mental health

Laurel Walker smiles in an undated handout photo. Walker says she wants a stop to the planned expansion of medical assistance in dying for people with a mental illness because funding should instead be put into providing treatment, which is inaccessible for so many people. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO, Laurel Walker

Critics caution against plan to expand MAID to those with mental illness

Some say there isn’t enough evidence to show people can’t recover from mental illness

Laurel Walker smiles in an undated handout photo. Walker says she wants a stop to the planned expansion of medical assistance in dying for people with a mental illness because funding should instead be put into providing treatment, which is inaccessible for so many people. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO, Laurel Walker
B.C.’s Crown prosecutors are suffering high levels of burnout, according to a recent survey by the association representing them. (Pixabay)

More than half of B.C. Crown prosecutors suffering burnout: survey

Large caseloads, dimishing resources are compounding, says B.C. Crown Counsel Association president

B.C.’s Crown prosecutors are suffering high levels of burnout, according to a recent survey by the association representing them. (Pixabay)
Movember was originally launched in Australia and has since become a worldwide movement to help men’s health issues. (File contributed/ Benjamin Wilson, spangdahlem.af.mil)

‘Mustaches and mental health’ Movember wraps up around B.C.

217,0000 men in Canada have been diagnosed with prostate cancer

Movember was originally launched in Australia and has since become a worldwide movement to help men’s health issues. (File contributed/ Benjamin Wilson, spangdahlem.af.mil)
Abeer Smadi started the health cultural ambassador program to help combat mental health stigma among refugees and immigrants. So far, it has helped 400 people receive mental health assistance. (News Staff/Thomas Eley)

‘Tackling stigma’ Victoria group aims to help immigrants, refugees

The group helped more than 400 individuals

Abeer Smadi started the health cultural ambassador program to help combat mental health stigma among refugees and immigrants. So far, it has helped 400 people receive mental health assistance. (News Staff/Thomas Eley)
File - The Instagram logo is seen on a cell phone in Boston, USA, Friday, Oct. 14, 2022. Facebook and Instagram users in Europe are getting the option to pay for ad-free versions of the social media platforms as a way to comply with the continent’s strict data privacy rules. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer, File)

Former Meta engineering leader to testify before Congress on Instagram’s harms to teens

On the same day whistleblower Frances Haugen was testifying before Congress about…

File - The Instagram logo is seen on a cell phone in Boston, USA, Friday, Oct. 14, 2022. Facebook and Instagram users in Europe are getting the option to pay for ad-free versions of the social media platforms as a way to comply with the continent’s strict data privacy rules. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer, File)
Veterinarian Neil Pothier of the Bayview Animal Hospital treats a cat in Digby, N.S., on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023. Veterinarians in Canada say they are experiencing extreme burnout and plummeting mental health due to staff shortages, a booming number of animal patients and the round-the-clock stress of the job. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Tolson

Many veterinarians in Canada are facing extreme burnout

Staff shortages, increasing pet patients behind decline in mental health

Veterinarian Neil Pothier of the Bayview Animal Hospital treats a cat in Digby, N.S., on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023. Veterinarians in Canada say they are experiencing extreme burnout and plummeting mental health due to staff shortages, a booming number of animal patients and the round-the-clock stress of the job. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Tolson
Toys “R” Us at Willowbrook Shopping Centre. File photo

Amid a mental health crisis, toy industry takes on a new role: building resilience

As more children emerge from the pandemic grappling with mental health issues,…

Toys “R” Us at Willowbrook Shopping Centre. File photo
As qualifying for the 2016 Rio Olympics approached, Molly Carlson found herself in a dark place. She was struggling through a binge eating disorder, had body dysmorphia, and was constantly comparing her body to the other athletes on Canada’s diving team. Carlson is seen in an undated handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Coaching Association of Canada

Canadian diver encourages youth to speak up ahead of World Mental Health Day

Molly Carlson says she had to focus on her well-being before she could turn back to her Olympic dream

As qualifying for the 2016 Rio Olympics approached, Molly Carlson found herself in a dark place. She was struggling through a binge eating disorder, had body dysmorphia, and was constantly comparing her body to the other athletes on Canada’s diving team. Carlson is seen in an undated handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Coaching Association of Canada
California Gov. Gavin Newsom answers a question concerning three gun control measures he signed during a news conference in Sacramento, Calif., Sept. 26, 2023. An alternative mental health court program designed to fast-track people with untreated schizophrenia into housing and medical care starts in San Francisco and six other California counties. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File)

California’s mental health court rolls out to high expectations and uncertainty

Program will fast-track people with psychotic disorders into housing and medical care

California Gov. Gavin Newsom answers a question concerning three gun control measures he signed during a news conference in Sacramento, Calif., Sept. 26, 2023. An alternative mental health court program designed to fast-track people with untreated schizophrenia into housing and medical care starts in San Francisco and six other California counties. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File)
A new StatCan report links cyberbullying to mental health issues in adolescents. THE NEWS/files

Cyberbullying hurting 1 in 4 Canadian youths: StatCan

Study says youth who have been victimized online have a greater risk of mental health issues

A new StatCan report links cyberbullying to mental health issues in adolescents. THE NEWS/files
A elementary student arrives for his first day back to school in Montreal, Monday, Aug. 28, 2023. Returning to school in September can be a “mixed picture” for students as some deal with higher levels of anxiety as change can be a stressful situation. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi

New school year can lead to higher levels of anxiety for students: B.C. doctor

BC Children’s Hospital noted increase in mental-health visits at start of 2022-23 school year

A elementary student arrives for his first day back to school in Montreal, Monday, Aug. 28, 2023. Returning to school in September can be a “mixed picture” for students as some deal with higher levels of anxiety as change can be a stressful situation. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi
Leah Schulting, executive director of the South Okanagan Canadian Mental Health Association hands out medals at the Penticton Pickleball for Mental Health on Sunday. (Monique Tamminga Western News)

Penticton Pickleball for Mental Health a smashing success, raises over $30K

Around 170 pickleball athletes from across B.C. participated in weekend event

Leah Schulting, executive director of the South Okanagan Canadian Mental Health Association hands out medals at the Penticton Pickleball for Mental Health on Sunday. (Monique Tamminga Western News)
Gavel (file photo)

Victims question B.C. psychiatric release, lawyers reject knee-jerk response

Questions abound about the process in the wake of Vancouver Chinatown stabbings

Gavel (file photo)
The medal winners of women’s doubles at the Canadian Mental Health Associations’ Penticton charity pickleball tournament in September 2022. Taking top spot were Lois Neu and Leah Currie of North Vancouver, Silver went to Jeannie Lister and Lori Needham of Penticton and Bronze to Donna Hammerquist and Leanne Barnes also of Penticton. (Submitted File photo)

Smashing good time ahead at pickleball tournament for mental health in Penticton

170 players from across B.C. expected to play in Sept. 15-17 event to raise money for mental health

The medal winners of women’s doubles at the Canadian Mental Health Associations’ Penticton charity pickleball tournament in September 2022. Taking top spot were Lois Neu and Leah Currie of North Vancouver, Silver went to Jeannie Lister and Lori Needham of Penticton and Bronze to Donna Hammerquist and Leanne Barnes also of Penticton. (Submitted File photo)
B.C. Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Jennifer Whiteside steps away from the podium after speaking during a news conference in Vancouver, on Monday, January 30, 2023. Whiteside was at the Metro Vancouver’s mayors council on Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023 to discuss the issues around public drug use. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Decriminalization meant to save lives in toxic drug crisis: Whiteside

Mental Health and Addictions Minister speaks to Metro Vancouver mayors committe on public drug use

B.C. Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Jennifer Whiteside steps away from the podium after speaking during a news conference in Vancouver, on Monday, January 30, 2023. Whiteside was at the Metro Vancouver’s mayors council on Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023 to discuss the issues around public drug use. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Mental Health Minister Jennifer Whiteside speaking in Surrey May 5, 2023. Whiteside announced the province would be funding $3 million over the next three years toward the YMCA B.C.’s Y Mind and Mind Medicine programs for people aged 13 to 30 to learn strategies to cope with stress and anxiety (Photo: Anna Burns)

B.C. funding $3M toward YMCA mental health program in 30 communities

Y Mind is aimed at teaching people strategies to cope with stress and anxiety

Mental Health Minister Jennifer Whiteside speaking in Surrey May 5, 2023. Whiteside announced the province would be funding $3 million over the next three years toward the YMCA B.C.’s Y Mind and Mind Medicine programs for people aged 13 to 30 to learn strategies to cope with stress and anxiety (Photo: Anna Burns)
Wildfire evacuees Warren Pullen, left, and veteran Rob Pullen sit outside their trailer in the parking lot at an evacuation centre, in Kelowna, B.C., Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)

Mental health supports available for British Columbians impacted by wildfires

Disaster Psychological Support team deployed through B.C.’s Emergency Management program

Wildfire evacuees Warren Pullen, left, and veteran Rob Pullen sit outside their trailer in the parking lot at an evacuation centre, in Kelowna, B.C., Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)
Mental Health Minister Carolyn Bennett says the government is putting $156 million over three years toward a new three-digit suicide-prevention hotline, which is expected to launch Nov. 30. Bennett rises during question period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Thursday, June 1, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Mental health minister puts $156M toward fall launch of 988 crisis hotline

Free trained responders will be available to help starting at the end of November

Mental Health Minister Carolyn Bennett says the government is putting $156 million over three years toward a new three-digit suicide-prevention hotline, which is expected to launch Nov. 30. Bennett rises during question period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Thursday, June 1, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Bailey Millan-Brule, a youth advisory committee member for the Vernon branch of Canadian Mental Health Association, is pleased a Foundry centre for youth aged 12-24 will be located in Vernon. (Roger Knox - Morning Star)

More mental health, substance use support for North Okanagan youth

Foundry B.C. announces one of 12 new centres provincewide for young people 12-24 will operate in Vernon

Bailey Millan-Brule, a youth advisory committee member for the Vernon branch of Canadian Mental Health Association, is pleased a Foundry centre for youth aged 12-24 will be located in Vernon. (Roger Knox - Morning Star)
B.C. Addictions Minister Jennifer Whiteside in Chilliwack announcing $3 million expansion of mobile integrated crisis response teams to Chilliwack, Abbotsford and seven other B.C. communities. (Jennifer Feinberg/ Chilliwack Progress)

B.C. expands crises response teams to 9 communities

Mobile Integrated Crisis Response teams are coming to nine additional communities for a total of 21

B.C. Addictions Minister Jennifer Whiteside in Chilliwack announcing $3 million expansion of mobile integrated crisis response teams to Chilliwack, Abbotsford and seven other B.C. communities. (Jennifer Feinberg/ Chilliwack Progress)