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vimhs.bsky.social
Vancouver Island Mental Health Society
@vimhs.bsky.social
300 followers 110 following 1.9K posts
VIMHS is a non-profit organization. We provide recovery, housing, and hope to adults experiencing mental health issues.
Posts Replies Media Videos
vimhs.bsky.social
"It wasn’t the first time the Nuu-chah-nulth Nation member had been hurt by his non-Indigenous peers. His foster parents believe he’s targeted partly because he has a #developmentaldisability" #Courtenay #VancouverIsland #BC #BritishColumbia
indiginews.com/news/indigen...
After Indigenous teen’s stabbing, his family says the system failed to stop his bullying
Foster parents in ‘Courtenay, B.C.’ speak out after a string of alleged incidents targeting them and their 16-year-old foster son, as they wait for trial
indiginews.com
December 28, 2025 at 3:34 PM
vimhs.bsky.social
"This fall, Health #Canada released the results of a report it commissioned about advance requests, finding broad support among Canadians for the practice as well as concerns about the safeguards that should be put in place." #MAID @dyingwithdignity.ca www.ctvnews.ca/politics/art...
Advocates push for advance MAID requests two years after Parliament recommendation
Sandra Demontigny knew something wasn’t right when she couldn’t remember buying herself a new pair of boots. They were a splurge — a little out of character for the mother of three — and she had been ...
www.ctvnews.ca
December 28, 2025 at 3:16 PM
vimhs.bsky.social
"Manson, a #Nanaimo mom of three, risked her own life, after waking up at 3 a.m. on Dec. 26 to smoke in her family’s rented room... once she’d woken her kids, she then ran door to door of the motel, to wake up all of those still sleeping inside" #VancouverIsland #BC cheknews.ca/shes-a-hero-...
'She's a hero': Nanaimo mom rescues neighbours from motel fire
Nakul Joseph rushed to hug a woman he had never met Saturday, after learning she was the one who saved his life from Boxing Day's motel fire in Nanaimo.
cheknews.ca
December 28, 2025 at 2:50 PM
vimhs.bsky.social
"One of the West Coast’s most vital and cherished organizations celebrated one of its largest and most hard fought for triumphs this year as the Food Bank on the Edge Society moved into its long-sought new facility" #foodsecurity #Ucluelet #VancouverIsland #BC westerlynews.ca/2025/12/27/u...
Ucluelet food bank celebrates opening of new facility - Tofino/Ucluelet Westerly News
Growing user group has bright, cheerful space to be treated with dignity
westerlynews.ca
December 28, 2025 at 2:41 PM
vimhs.bsky.social
"The Sunshine Club Quilters have for more than a decade donated handmade placemats to Meals on Wheels, which are given to new clients throughout the year." #PortAlberni #VancouverIsland #BritishColumbia #BC albernivalleynews.com/2025/12/28/s...
Sunshine Quilters give personal touch to Meals on Wheels with handmade placemats - Port Alberni Valley News
Port Alberni non-profit has benefited from quilting group for many years
albernivalleynews.com
December 28, 2025 at 2:26 PM
vimhs.bsky.social
"The program, named PRISM, supports youths aged 14-18 by creating a consistent and affirming space where they can connect with peers and trusted adult mentors who understand their lived experiences." #2SLGBTQIA+ #youth #Victoria #VancouverIsland #BC vancouverislandfreedaily.com/2025/12/27/n...
New program aims to create a safe space for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth in Victoria - Vancouver Island Free Daily
The free group mentorship program, PRISM, is designed to support youth aged 14-18
vancouverislandfreedaily.com
December 28, 2025 at 2:10 PM
vimhs.bsky.social
"The [Men's Therapy Centre], located across from Uptown shopping centre, is the only organization on #VancouverIsland that offers #trauma #counselling specifically for #men and male-identifying people" #Victoria #BritishColumbia #BC www.timescolonist.com/christmas-fu...
Men, often reluctant to admit their trauma, find help at Saanich therapy centre
The centre is the only organization on the Island that offers trauma counselling specifically for men and male-identifying people.
www.timescolonist.com
December 28, 2025 at 1:58 PM
vimhs.bsky.social
"About 40 long-term tenants of a #Nanaimo motel are without homes after a Boxing Day fire that ravaged the building’s top floor. The early morning fire in the two-storey building sent seven people to hospital." #VancouverIsland #BC www.timescolonist.com/local-news/s...
40 people without homes after Nanaimo motel fire; seven sent to hospital
“It’s pretty grim at 3 a.m. on Boxing Day to lose your housing,” says Nanaimo Mayor Leonard Krog. City staff are working to find accommodation for those who were displaced.
www.timescolonist.com
December 28, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Reposted by Vancouver Island Mental Health Society
jama.com
Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder is an eating disorder characterized by avoidance of specific foods and/or restriction of food intake.

This JAMA Patient Page describes risk factors, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment strategies.

ja.ma/3L1UPQP
Illustration describing Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID). It lists subtypes like avoidant (repulsion from food texture), aversive (fear of choking), and lack of interest. Symptoms include abdominal pain, dry skin, and difficulty concentrating. Treatment involves clinicians.
December 28, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Reposted by Vancouver Island Mental Health Society
peoplefirstradio.bsky.social
In May, Elaine Uskoski spoke with the program about how helping her son through video game addiction led to her working with others going through similar experiences
Listen Again:

vancouverislandmentalhealthsociety.org/podcast/a-mo...

@vimhs.bsky.social
A mom’s journey with video game addiction in the family – Vancouver Island Mental Health Society
How an SOS email from her son set Elaine Uskoski on the path to helping others
vancouverislandmentalhealthsociety.org
December 26, 2025 at 7:51 PM
Reposted by Vancouver Island Mental Health Society
nanaimonewsnow.bsky.social
Record numbers of people seeking help through local holiday giving initiatives were matched by an outpouring of support from across the community.

#Nanaimo

nanaimonewsnow.com/2025/12/24/a...
‘A Christmas miracle:’ increased demand matched by donations for Nanaimo charities
NANAIMO - With Christmas only a couple of sleeps away, local charities are wrapping up their annual holiday fu...
nanaimonewsnow.com
December 25, 2025 at 1:29 AM
Reposted by Vancouver Island Mental Health Society
peoplefirstradio.bsky.social
In April, Opal Dar spoke with the program about overcoming physical, emotional, and financial barriers to create art, ahead of a debut album release.

Listen Again:
vancouverislandmentalhealthsociety.org/podcast/opal...

@vimhs.bsky.social
Opal Dar overcoming physical, emotional, and financial barriers with debut album
Sooke based musician getting set to release Birds Hurting Birds Who Hurt Birds
vancouverislandmentalhealthsociety.org
December 23, 2025 at 11:40 PM
vimhs.bsky.social
"Mahle House, Chefs Course, Black Rabbit Kitchen and Attic, Camas Restaurant, Smokin’ George’s BBQ, La Stella Trattoria, Kinsu Chocolates and Burnt Honey are offering up a variety of raffle prizes...with proceeds going to #Nanaimo Loaves and Fishes Food Bank" #BC nanaimonewsnow.com/2025/12/23/n...
Nanaimo restaurants raffling food experiences in support of Loaves and Fishes Food Bank
NANAIMO - Eight local restaurants, eateries and treat-based favourites are coming together in support of a loc...
nanaimonewsnow.com
December 23, 2025 at 2:06 PM
vimhs.bsky.social
"The group meets once a month and includes a variety of people with different ages and experiences. Some have lost loved ones in accidents during summer or winter recreation, while others are guides who were part of groups when injuries or deaths took place" #BC albernivalleynews.com/2025/12/22/p...
Peer-support groups in B.C. help people who have suffered backcountry trauma - Port Alberni Valley News
Mountain Muskox offers free sessions for anyone in need of mental-health assistance
albernivalleynews.com
December 23, 2025 at 1:42 PM
vimhs.bsky.social
"The manager of #LakeCowichan 's #foodbank says it’s seeing at least 30 more families seeking help with groceries this year over last, and a surprising number of them are double-income households" #foodsecurity #VancouverIsland #BC #Canada
www.timescolonist.com/christmas-fu...
December 23, 2025 at 1:30 PM
Reposted by Vancouver Island Mental Health Society
peoplefirstradio.bsky.social
In March a Nanaimo event about social prescribing brought the community together in search of 'The Connection Cure'
Listen Again:

vancouverislandmentalhealthsociety.org/podcast/nana...

@vimhs.bsky.social
December 22, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Reposted by Vancouver Island Mental Health Society
peoplefirstradio.bsky.social
In February Kate Walker spoke with the program about her family's resilience in the face of a traumatic experience

Listen again:
vancouverislandmentalhealthsociety.org/podcast/a-mo...

@vimhs.bsky.social
A Mom's journey to helping others following family trauma
"This community of burn survivors needs a counselor who knows burn trauma, who's been through this, who really gets it"
vancouverislandmentalhealthsociety.org
December 22, 2025 at 3:08 AM
vimhs.bsky.social
“Students can’t learn when they’re hungry. But we also see that by bringing good quality food into schools, we create sort of a sense of belonging and care at school” #Victoria #VancouverIsland #BC #BritishColumbia #foodsecurity www.timescolonist.com/christmas-fu...
Farm-fresh foods provided to hungry school kids
Flourish! School Food Society, a not-for-profit registered charity, provides about 1,100 meals to 27 schools each school day.
www.timescolonist.com
December 21, 2025 at 1:35 PM
vimhs.bsky.social
" #BritishColumbia has seen a record number of 911 calls related to #medetomidine, a veterinary tranquilizer making its way into the toxic drug supply. #Overdose prevention officers say that users overdosing on the drug don’t respond to #NARCAN treatment." #BC #Canada youtu.be/YmuMH5-qX_U
Overdose calls pouring in as vet tranquilizer goes through B.C. drug supply
YouTube video by CBC News: The National
youtu.be
December 21, 2025 at 1:25 PM
Reposted by Vancouver Island Mental Health Society
peoplefirstradio.bsky.social
In January the program featured stories from a pop-up overdose prevention site in the Comox Valley

Listen again:
vancouverislandmentalhealthsociety.org/podcast/stor...

@vimhs.bsky.social
Stories from an unsanctioned overdose prevention site launch
Doctors, people with experience of substance use spoke outside Comox Valley Hospital
vancouverislandmentalhealthsociety.org
December 20, 2025 at 4:17 PM
vimhs.bsky.social
"Tucked away in an industrial park at #326-4342 Westshore Parkway in #Langford is a #foodbank with a difference, according to Bill Chisholm, general manager of #Veterans Food Bank #Victoria." #foodsecurity #VancouverIsland #BritishColumbia #BC cheknews.ca/new-food-ban...
New food bank for veterans and first responders opens in Langford
Friday marked the grand opening of a unique food bank in Langford. The Veterans Food Bank Victoria's target market is military veterans and first responders, and operators say there is growing demand ...
cheknews.ca
December 20, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Reposted by Vancouver Island Mental Health Society
peoplefirstradio.bsky.social
The broadcast version of this week's program is online and can be found here:

vancouverislandmentalhealthsociety.org/podcast/peop...

@vimhs.bsky.social
People First Radio - December 18, 2025
Exploring the issue of youth aging out of care
vancouverislandmentalhealthsociety.org
December 19, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Reposted by Vancouver Island Mental Health Society
nanaimonewsnow.bsky.social
The province says its Repeat Violent Offending Intervention Initiative (ReVOII) is showing success, as it expands in Nanaimo with a focus on property crimes and public disorder.

#Nanaimo

nanaimonewsnow.com/2025/12/19/r...
Repeat violent offender program piloted in Nanaimo showing positive results
NANAIMO - A program designed to deal with the endless cycle of conduct from repeat violent offenders, which is...
nanaimonewsnow.com
December 20, 2025 at 12:18 AM
vimhs.bsky.social
"Doctors like Dr. Caroline Ferris fear that if patients they’ve stabilized are stuck all day waiting for a pharmacist to watch them take their prescriptions—which can be several pills a day—they’ll likely return to using street drugs and could #overdose" #BC
www.timescolonist.com/local-news/a...
As witness rule kicks in, addiction doctor worries patients could die
Dr. Caroline Ferris says some people may fall through the cracks when new rules requiring that use of safer supply drugs be supervised take effect Dec. 30.
www.timescolonist.com
December 20, 2025 at 1:52 PM
Reposted by Vancouver Island Mental Health Society
nanaimoacl.bsky.social
A favourite moment for the NACL #EmploymentServices team was our presence at the Nanaimo Night Market. We taught employment skills, plus showcased farm-fresh produce and original art created by the individuals at NACL. Here’s GM with KD at our beautiful booth! 🤩 #SkillBuilding #Market #NightMarket
December 18, 2025 at 7:38 PM