For Your Family

I am reaching out with an update to last week’s communication and to assure you that Upper Island Counselling continues to support our member companies and clients during the COVID-19 pandemic.  The main points are:

We loved this short animated video with voiceover by Dr. Brene Brown so much that we want to share it with everyone.  In it she explains the difference between empathy and sympathy and how empathy is really about making a connection with another person. 

High work engagement refers to viewing one’s job as very important, taking one’s job seriously, and applying a great degree of effort toward the successful execution of one’s job. Being highly engaged with work is often touted as an ideal way for workers to be on the job and as the best approach for achieving career success and satisfaction. Indeed, being highly engaged with work can lead to career success and satisfaction. However, if other work-related factors are not present, then high work engagement can also be related to serious mental health challenges.

“The core principles of mindful eating include being aware of the nourishment available through the process of food preparation and consumption, choosing enjoyable and nutritious foods, acknowledging food preferences nonjudgmentally, recognizing and honoring physical hunger and satiety cues, and using wisdom to guide eating decisions.” –Cheryl Harris, MPH, RD

January 30^th is Bell Let’s Talk Day. For every text message sent by Bell Canada, Bell Aliant and Bell MTS customers, Bell will donate 5 cents toward mental health initiatives.  Even if you are not a Bell customer, there are other ways to help.

 It’s a fact: One in five Canadians will suffer from mental illness at some point in their lifetime. One of the biggest hurdles for anyone suffering from mental illness is overcoming the stigma. It is the number one reason why two-thirds of those living with a mental illness do not seek help.

The holiday season is typically advertised as a time of festivity and joy. For many people this portrayal is fairly accurate, but for many others the holidays can be a difficult time for a multitude of reasons. Three of the more common challenges are family conflict, depression, and over-indulgence. Below are some ideas about how to manage these issues and make the most of the holidays.

Family conflict

We recently came across this blogger article by Naomi Vaida about how mental illness alone is not what determines good or bad mental health.  Mental health is something that should be taken care of much the same way as physical health.  In fact, the two go hand in hand and can effect each other in both positive and negative ways.  The following viewpoint explains why it is important to consider a more proactive approach to mental health rather than focusing on resolving or coping with mental illness after it has manifested.   

Now three years old, FETCH is a website that was created to assist both the residents and health care providers of Campbell River and District to find health and social services in the community.  Sort of a “one stop shop” for resources in health (physical and mental), family life, social services, First Nations, youth and support services.

 The website also lists Campbell River physicians that are currently taking new patients, community health notices and links to a variety of substance use services.

On June 22,2018 Upper Island Counselling hosted an information table at the 100 Women Who Care Campbell River cocktail reveal launch party. 

In support of CHMA Mental Health week, Upper Island Counselling is helping spread the word.  Here are some interesting facts that you may not know:

 The Canadian Mental Health Association’s annual Mental Health Week is May 7-13, 2018

 Each May, Canadians in communities, schools, workplaces and the House of Commons rally around CMHA Mental Health Week.