Vancouver Island Mental Health Society

The broadcast version of this week's program is online and can be found here: vancouverislandmentalhealthsociety.org/podcast/peop... @vimhs.bsky.social

ICYMI - a look at the history of the now demolished mental hospital in Weyburn Saskatchewan Listen: www.youtube.com/watch?v=dD97... @vimhs.bsky.social

The Salvation Army New Hope Centre’s new four-storey modular building at 19 Nicol St. in downtown #Nanaimo is nearing completion...the new addition will double the number of shelter beds. | #Nanaimo #VancouverIsland #BC nanaimobulletin.com/2026/05/25/b...

From this week's program, a look at the history of the now demolished mental hospital in Weyburn Saskatchewan Listen: vancouverislandmentalhealthsociety.org/podcast/expl... @vimhs.bsky.social

The broadcast version of this week's episode is online and can be found here: vancouverislandmentalhealthsociety.org/podcast/peop... @vimhs.bsky.social

A new vehicle for the Salvation Army in Nanaimo is transforming how they deliver their daily food and outreach programs. #nanaimo #salvationarmy #community nanaimonewsnow.com/2026/05/22/n...

ICYMI the program featured a conversation with Philip Seagram, who went on a cross Canada busking tour in 2022, after retiring from a position as a provincial court judge in B.C. Listen: www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9uw... @vimhs.bsky.social

HUGE WIN: Last week, Canada's Supreme Court created a tort of intimate partner violence. Kuldeep Ahluwalia fought for herself & every survivor who comes after 🏛️✊🏾 Enormous recognition to our formidable allies @westcoastleaf.bsky.social, @risewomenslegal.bsky.social & BWSS who intervened in the case

Happy #AgenderPrideDay from Dignity Seniors Society! 💚🖤🩶 #lgbtqia

The results have been verified by BCMSA, so now it’s official! NACL achieved a 98% score on our #WorkSafeBC Certificate of Recognition (CoR) Health and Safety Maintenance Audit! 🤩🎉 Thanks SO MUCH to our NACL team for its commitment to OH&S. Let’s continue to stay safe and well! 🥰👍 #OHS #Audit

Want to share a song, some comedy, or otherwise? This week’s #SocialNight is an #OpenMic - so join us and show off your talents! 🎤🎉 Just $5 at the door gets you a snack and drink, too - so be the entertainer or be entertained from 6-8 p.m. this Thursday, May 21st! 🤩👍 #Connecting #EveryoneWelcome

"Western Edge Theatre prepares for its last show of the season [with] 7 Stories... The comedic tone amidst the heavy themes allows for audiences to find humour in the challenges of #mentalhealth" #Nanaimo #VancouverIsland #BC @chly.ca @westernedgetheatre.bsky.social www.chly.ca/local-news/2...

"Red’s Bakery has been described by its supporters as a pillar of downtown #Nanaimo. The bakery’s pay it forward system provides free meals to anyone and everyone who comes in and asks. ...[but] the future of the bakery is uncertain" #VancouverIsland #BC #BritishColumbia www.chly.ca/local-news/2...

"The Supreme Court of #Canada has recognized #intimatepartnerviolence [ #IPV ] as a distinct legal basis for pursuing civil damages [in] the case of a woman who was subjected to physical and emotional #abuse by her husband during a 16-year marriage" www.timescolonist.com/national-new...

Mobility mats are expanding to more popular waterfront locations around #Nanaimo. nanaimonewsnow.com/2026/05/15/m...

This week the program featured a conversation with Philip Seagram, who went on a cross Canada busking tour in 2022, after retiring from a position as a provincial court judge in B.C. Listen: vancouverislandmentalhealthsociety.org/podcast/reti... @vimhs.bsky.social

Hope you all have a fun long weekend in store, despite its cooler (and possibly rainier ☔️) start! Here’s LF and WM from #ActionsDayProgram at #EvanmorrAcresFarm a couple weeks ago…all smiles in the sunshine! ☀️☺️ #WeekendVibes #TGIF #FarmFun

ICYMI Victoria Dr. Jill Wiwcharuk has a large following on social media addressing topics linked to health and homelessness. She spoke about an example of how she's seen that work make an impact Full interview: open.spotify.com/episode/2P8J... @vimhs.bsky.social

ICYMI Victoria based Dr. Jill Wiwcharuk speaks about her work on social media Listen: www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhT4... @vimhs.bsky.social

"Sea Wolves #VancouverIsland Men’s #Cancer Support celebrated it’s centennial coffee gathering...scheduled casual meet-ups in downtown #Nanaimo provide a comfortable climate for men in various phases of their cancer battles to support one another" #BC nanaimonewsnow.com/2026/05/13/g...

"As expected, Island Health has turned down a request from the City of #Nanaimo to have The Hub set up in a building owned by the health authority, located at 250 Albert St." #homelessness #VancouverIsland #BC #BritishColumbia nanaimobulletin.com/2026/05/12/i...

"The Hub, which operated at 55 Victoria Rd., offered outreach and resources to people experiencing #homelessness in the city [of #Nanaimo] until its closure at the end of March, 2026" #VancouverIsland #BC #BritishColumbia nanaimobulletin.com/2026/05/13/n...

The broadcast version of the most recent program is online and can be found here: vancouverislandmentalhealthsociety.org/podcast/peop... @vimhs.bsky.social

"WARNING: This video contains discussion of suicide. Friends and family of Jenna Dorman, who died from #postpartum #suicide, have started a new foundation called In Her Circle in an attempt to close the gaps in maternal #mentalhealth care." #BC #BritishColumbia youtu.be/qFvJUnxSs-w

"On May 14, an #OakBay event will give attendees some tricks and tips to make dozing off easier. ...Participants will learn practical ways to relax the body, calm the mind, fall asleep more easily and improve quality of sleep." #VancouverIsland #BC oakbaynews.com/2026/05/12/o...

"Mental health services for #CowichanValley #youth aged 12-24 can be strengthened and expanded thanks to a $1,041,474 infusion from Health Canada’s Youth Mental Health Fund." #mentalhealth #foodinsecurity #housinginsecurity #VancouverIsland #BC #BritishColumbia ladysmithchronicle.com/2026/05/11/f...

"“I’m quite interested in the work that they are doing and what they’re pursuing to address this important issue” ...although many of the solutions to #homelessness are provincial responsibilities “what we need is collaboration”" #Parksville #VancouverIsland #BC pqbnews.com/2026/05/12/p...

"The Swenson family was first introduced to the Canucks Autism Network 5 years ago, when Loki was diagnosed with autism. After getting help from the program in navigating the journey with #autism, the family decided to give back..." #Saanich #BC #Canada vancouverislandfreedaily.com/2026/05/12/b...

Choose to Move info session English -Tuesday, May 19th 11:00am– 12:00pm Free Ready to feel stronger healthier & more connected? Choose to Move is a free, flexible 3 month program designed for adults 55+. With guidance of an activity coach, you'll build a plan that fits your lifestyle #choosetomove

"Organizations and individuals that reduce #stigma and make #mentalhealth and #substanceuse supports more accessible were recognized at the 2026 Island Health community service awards this week." #VancouverIsland #BritishColumbia #BC @vanislandhealth.bsky.social www.timescolonist.com/local-news/b...

"Through compassion, connection & tireless advocacy, the Courtnall Society for Mental Health, the Andre Courtemanche Society & Kay Martin are reducing #stigma & making #mentalhealth & #substanceuse supports more accessible..." vancouverislandfreedaily.com/2026/05/09/g...

"Dr. Jill Wiwcharuk [is] a #Victoria -based medical doctor who specializes in #street and #addiction #medicine, and she makes videos on Instagram and Facebook to educate people about #homelessness" #VancouverIsland #BC #BritishColumbia www.timescolonist.com/local-news/a...

#2S/LGBTQIA+ communities often face barriers to accessing culturally safe and informed support to quit or reduce smoking. Programs by and for us are rare, making it hard to find trustworthy help. That’s why #SmokeBreak is here — to offer tailored, peer-led support. www.mysmokebreak.ca

Victoria based Dr. Jill Wiwcharuk spoke with the program about her social media presence, intended to educate around topics related to health among vulnerable populations Listen to the full interview: podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/s... @vimhs.bsky.social

A Nanaimo RCMP officer will represent the mid-Island as part of the 2026 Tour de Rock. Cst. Josh Waltman will ride with over 20 others down Vancouver Island this fall. The two-week event raises money for the Canadian Cancer Society. #Nanaimo nanaimonewsnow.com/2026/05/08/o...

Over $1 million dollars has been raised since a ground-breaking ceremony last fall for Jesse's House, scheduled to open near NRGH next Spring. #nanaimo #jesseshouse #nrgh #homewayfromhome nanaimonewsnow.com/2026/05/08/s...

This week on the program - Victoria based Dr. Jill Wiwcharuk speaks about her work on social media Listen: vancouverislandmentalhealthsociety.org/podcast/stre... @vimhs.bsky.social

Met with CMHA President Marion Cooper last week to discuss strengthening mental health supports in Canada. Canadians deserve access to care with a health card, not a credit card. I’ll keep pushing for real investments and parity in mental health care. #MentalHealthWeek

Some wonderful free and inclusive services around Metro #Vancouver for #2SLGBTQIA+ seniors to enjoy! From SHER plant pot painting to our Dignity Seniors Rainbow Program, keep yourself active and engaged as you age! #Vancouver #QueerSeniorsBC

"Scores of people dressed in red marched through downtown #Nanaimo late Tuesday afternoon to honour missing and murdered #Indigenous #women, #girls, and #Two-Spirit people during the city’s fourth annual #MMIWG2S+ walk and gathering" #VancouverIsland #BC #Canada www.hashilthsa.com/news/2026-05...

"This Friday, May 9 kicks off [fundraising for] the 29th annual Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock, a cycling event which raises funds for #pediatriccancer research on #VancouverIsland. The Tour itself takes place September 19 to October 2, 2026..." #BC #Canada campbellrivermirror.com/2026/05/06/t...

"Eleven organizations in #CampbellRiver received a total of $80,000 in grants from the Campbell River Community Foundation this year to support efforts ranging from protecting ecosystems to improving the well-being of children and seniors" #VancouverIsland #BC campbellrivermirror.com/2026/05/06/c...

“Nothing will bring you more joy than giving to someone else. So Carly's house has really been my #mentalhealth lifeline, and I feel honoured and grateful to be working on this project.” #cancertreatment #cancer #Nanaimo #VancouverIsland #BC #BritishColumbia www.chly.ca/local-news/2...

Content Warning: Discussion of #Suicide "Within an hour of Jesse Flowerdew’s discharge from #Nanaimo Regional General Hospital, where he had gone to seek help for #suicidal thoughts, he killed himself." #mentalhealth #VancouverIsland #BritishColumbia #healthcare www.timescolonist.com/local-news/d...

"The City of #Nanaimo says it is working to extend operations at a #supportivehousing site slated for closure, giving residents more time to find alternative housing...it is collaborating with BC Housing to allow [it] to remain open beyond September 2026" #VancouverIsland cheknews.ca/nanaimo-exte...

"A Canadian woman who has been fighting for medical assistance in dying ( #MAID ) to be an option for people with #mentaldisorders is now asking the courts to exempt her from current laws so that a doctor can end her life" #Canada www.cbc.ca/news/health/...

"Communities throughout #BC will mark #RedDressDay on Tuesday with marches and processions, bringing attention to the issue of missing and murdered #Indigenous #women, #girls and #2SLGBTQ+ people." #BritishColumbia #Canada www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

"The #Colwood Garden Society has been awarded a $98,000 grant from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada...to create a new community garden in Colwood Creek Park [and] build roughly 120 garden plots" #foodsecurity #VancouverIsland #BC goldstreamgazette.com/2026/05/05/r...

"Hundreds of family members of missing and murdered #Indigenous #women, #girls and #Two-Spirit Plus peoples say national #Indigenous organizations that claim to represent them shouldn’t receive more money from Ottawa" #MMIWG2S+ #Canada www.aptnnews.ca/national-new...

"Increasing awareness around #mentalhealth could not be more important than it is now, as more people struggle with the challenges of daily life... #Awareness gives language to these experiences, which is often the first step in reaching out and seeking help" northislandgazette.com/2026/05/02/m...