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“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

The idea that our eating habits have a significant impact on our physical health has been a well-established fact for many years. More recently, research has provided evidence to show that our eating habits are also closely related to our mental health and well-being.

So, what are healthy eating habits? Let’s start with the types of food that have been found to support mental health. A number of studies have shown a range of outcomes connecting nutrition and mental health, including:

People from all around the province are coming together this week for the inaugural BC First Responders' Mental Health Conference. Here at UIC we are excited to see the way this topic is continuing to move in the right direction, and the number of people who are coming together to show they care about the mental health and wellness of our first responders. Check out this link to read all about what's happening soon in Richmond. 

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.   

Watching an illegal substance become legal and available for sale is an unusual occurrence in modern day society. No generation since the days of prohibition can recall this sort of transition from illegal to legal, so it’s understandable that there are fears and concerns surrounding the legalization of marijuana. Like most issues parents are forced to face, this topic, regardless of how one feels about it, can serve as a wonderful spring board for parents to discuss the reality of substance use and abuse in our culture.

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.