mental-health
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Why Education—and SOGI 123—Have Me Thinking Seriously About School Trusteeship
A Personal Reflection, Not a Declaration I want to begin with clarity and honesty. I have not made a final decision about whether I will run for school trustee in the coming term. I am also not certain whether that would be as an independent or as part of a group. These questions are part Continue reading
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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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Dec 3rd, 2025 – Standing in Solidarity: Reflections on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities
Today, December 3rd, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, I had the privilege of joining the Richmond Centre for Disability in their celebration. The atmosphere was filled with warmth as staff, volunteers, and members gathered to honor resilience, community, and the ongoing journey toward inclusion. I was grateful to meet again with Chris, one Continue reading
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Nov 7, 2025 – A Coffee Conversation with Councilor Carol Day: Holding Compassion and Caution Together
Yesterday, I sat across from Richmond City Councilor Carol Day at a local coffee shop, just two people, two cups of coffee, and a shared concern for our community. What unfolded was not a political transaction, but a human exchange. Carol has been accused by some of selling drugs to those struggling with addiction, a Continue reading
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September 14, 2025 – Together, From Stigma to Support: A Personal Journey Shared with Life to Paper Publishing
Last Friday, I had the opportunity to speak with Tabitha Rose, the founder of Life to Paper Publishing. I first came across her company while reading Cracking Up, Gordon Lownds’ powerful memoir that chronicles his descent into addiction and his long road to recovery. The book is raw and honest, and it led me to 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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September 6, 2025 – From Stigma to Support: A Community Gathering Rooted in Compassion
On August 30, 2025, just one day before International Overdose Awareness Day, our community gathered at St. Alban’s Anglican Church in Richmond for an afternoon of truth telling, listening, and healing. This was not just an event. It was a reckoning. A space where stories were shared not to be judged but to be witnessed. Continue reading
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September 4, 2025 – 🏘️ This Morning’s Visit and My Wait: Homelessness Isn’t What You Think It Is
This morning, I visited a homeless man from Hong Kong near Richmond. He was quiet, polite, and neither addicted to drugs nor suffering from mental illness. Like many others, he simply lost stable housing at a difficult point in life. He told me he’s actively looking for work, hoping to get back on his feet. Continue reading
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August 27, 2025 – Morning Coffee with Jas: Recovery, Connection, and a Renewed Sense of Hope
This morning, I returned to a local coffee shop I used to frequent—a quiet corner of Richmond that’s held space for many meaningful conversations over the years. Today, it became the setting for one more. I met with Jas, who now works with Richmond Addiction Services Society (RASS), and our conversation left me deeply moved. 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