Category: Advocacy, Policy, Public Health

Much has been written on the interrelatedness of mental health and homelessness, some arguing that mental health problems lead to homelessness, while others claiming that homelessness is a stress factor which provokes mental ill health. Although the direction of causality is not straightforward, the link clearly shows how mental health cannot be treated in isolation… Read more »

  This blog by author Bonnie Ware originally appeared in the Huffington Post. Here she describes her work as a palliative care nurse in Australia, and what she learned along the way. Thank you Bonnie for your insightful work. ______   For many years I worked in palliative care. My patients were those who had… Read more »

Hearing voices is a pretty common human experience and research estimates that around 10% of the population hears voices – and these voices can be both compelling and problematic. In fact, hearing voices is one of the main criteria for a diagnosis of schizophrenia, among other mental illnesses.   Because of the  association between hearing… Read more »

First workplace webinar a huge success: Don’t miss the next one on August 28 Last week, half a million Canadians missed work because of a mental health problem or illness. Just as many Canadians will miss work next week. Did you know that mental health is the number one cause of disability claims in Canada? The personal toll on employees, and… Read more »

Women who suffered severe sexual trauma as kids benefit most from intervention. A UCLA-led study of HIV-positive women who were sexually abused as children has found that the more severe their past trauma, the greater their improvement in an intervention program designed to ease their psychological suffering. View article on Health Canal here The study, conducted by researchers at UCLA’s… Read more »

Integrating mental health and substance use in HIV is an essential component of  care and support. In BC, the Pacific AIDS Network is leading this initiative – and it is one of the most concerted efforts in Canada to do so.  We are also committed to including HCV in our approach, even though there is… Read more »

The Pacific AIDS Network invites member agency frontline workers to participate in a Mental Health & Substance Use & HIV & HCV Community of Practice.  Our goal is to support and foster individual, community and regional expertise in community-focused mental health.  When: June 27th @ 2:30 3:30 pm Email: [email protected] for the dial in info   Sharing, Collaborating, Learning… Read more »

The first article in a landmark series to help health care workers and providers, donors, and decision makers understand the importance of including mental health care in global health programs is being published in this week’s PLOS Medicine. Giving a global perspective on integrating mental health into health services around the world, the series focuses… Read more »

The Mental Health, Substance Use and HIV/HCV Community of Practice is exploring some exciting opportunities that may have a direct impact on your community. Please read this update and consider joining this network to help shape mental health services and support in your region and community. Our April discussion focused on two main areas: How… Read more »

Check out this new document released by the provincial government on integrated care models for mental health and substance use.       Purpose of Review The purpose of this review is to inform planning around the particular program models that are appropriate for individuals with mental health and substance use problems when integrating primary… Read more »

Mental Health, Substance Use and HIV/HCV April 25, 2013 @ 2:30-3:30 To join in simply call:  Toll-free dial-in number: 
 1-866-554-6142 Conference Code: 
 3580419276#   Catch the wave of this new space for learning, sharing and leadership development for Frontline Workers in HIV and HCV. Since we launched this initiative in January, discussions around the… Read more »

2012 was a big year for building on the foundation set by the Mental Health, Substance Use and HIV/HCV Advisory Committee. We are aiming for more meaningful work this year. To review a summary of what we accomplished and where we aim to head this year, please take a look at the Year at a Glance… Read more »