depression
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Dec 10th, 2025 – Reflecting on Human Rights Day: Beyond the Headlines and the Toxic Drug Crisis
On December 10th we mark the anniversary of the signing of the UN Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. Each year BC’s Office of the Human Rights Commissioner invites us to pause, reflect, and engage with pressing issues that shape our collective life. Today I had the privilege of attending the Beyond the Headlines speaker Continue reading
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September 11, 2025 – Reflecting on World Suicide Prevention Day: A Journey of Connection and Courage
Yesterday, I had the privilege of attending a deeply meaningful panel discussion titled Supporting People Together, hosted by Pathways Clubhouse, Vancouver Coastal Health, and Chimo Community Services. Held at the Brighouse Library in Richmond, the event marked World Suicide Prevention Day with a powerful blend of personal storytelling, professional insight, and community solidarity. Stories That Continue reading
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July 10, 2025 – Breaking Stigmas and Building Understanding: A Visit to Alderbridge Modular Housing
This afternoon, I had the privilege of visiting Alderbridge Modular Housing in Richmond—a site operated by RainCity Housing that’s often at the crossroads of misunderstanding and transformation. It was more than a tour; it was a moment of reflection and reconnection with the human stories behind the headlines. I sat down with Emma, the assistant Continue reading
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May 25, 2025 – Beyond Impossible: From Stigma to Strength Through Storytelling
I recently had the profound privilege of attending “Beyond Impossible: Navigating Stigma Through Stories of Strength,” an event hosted by the BC Schizophrenia Society in recognition of National Schizophrenia and Psychosis Awareness Day. Held at The Cultch Historic Theatre and livestreamed, the evening was a powerful testament to the human spirit—a deeply moving space where Continue reading
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May 21, 2025 – Breaking the Silence: What I Learned from a CAPSA Webinar on Substance Use and Stigma
A recent webinar hosted by the Community Addictions Peer Support Association (CAPSA) shed light on the pervasive issue of stigma surrounding substance use, offering a powerful call to action for individuals and communities to respond with compassion rather than judgment. The session emphasized that understanding and addressing stigma is crucial for fostering healing and support. Continue reading
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May 1, 2025 – Showing Up Matters: Reflections from the Pathways Clubhouse Fundraiser
Tonight, I attended the Pathways Clubhouse Society fundraiser, a gathering full of warmth, generosity, and deep humanity. It was more than a fundraising event. It was a living testament to the truth that healing, community, and mental health care are not just ideas — they are embodied every day in real people and real stories. Continue reading
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April 30, 2025 – Bridging Cultures: Understanding Different Approaches to Addiction Treatment in British Columbia
Recently, a meaningful conversation unfolded after I reached out to a therapist’s manager following a poignant reflection on a family’s tragic loss in Surrey, British Columbia. As a member of the BC community, witnessing such grief underscores the importance of understanding the diverse experiences within our multicultural landscape. While the manager rightly upheld client confidentiality, Continue reading
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April 13, 2025 – The Unexpected Gift of Being an Open Book: Reflections from the Human Library in Richmond
Today, in Richmond, British Columbia, I had the profound privilege of being a “book” in the Human Library. For three hours, eight individuals chose to “borrow” me for twenty-minute conversations, my title: “Wounded Healer: Helping Overcome Personal Suffering by Helping Others.” As I sit here reflecting on the afternoon, I’m struck by the unexpected gifts Continue reading