mental-health
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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 8, 2025 – “Have You Seen My Son?”: A Parent’s Love Through the Years
In 1994, a young man battling addiction left Toronto and came to Vancouver in search of drugs. Since then, his parents have not seen or heard from him. Thirty years have passed. Thirty years of silence, uncertainty, and wondering. They have lived each day with questions in their hearts. Is he still alive? Is he… Continue reading
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May 03, 2025 – Why Aren’t we teaching students about drug prevention anymore? Reflection from an RCMP exhibition and a call to invest in youth education.
On May 3, 2025, I attended an educational event hosted by the Richmond RCMP at Lansdowne Centre. The event featured various community engagement activities, including fraud prevention information, discussions on the D.A.R.E. program’s keepin’ it REAL curriculum, and cycling demonstrations by officers participating in the upcoming Cops for Cancer Tour de Coast. Families enjoyed photo… 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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May 1, 2025 – A Morning at the Drop-In: New Faces, Familiar Challenges in Richmond
This morning, I made my way to the drop-in center here in Richmond. It’s always a place that offers a glimpse into the diverse realities of our community, and today was no exception. Stepping inside, I was greeted by some new faces among the staff. It’s always nice to introduce myself and connect with the… 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 26, 2025 – Walking Alongside Grief: Reflections on a Family’s Tragic Loss and Our Call to Listen
Today, I had the solemn privilege of sitting with a Mandarin-speaking family in Surrey, British Columbia, who are navigating unimaginable grief. Earlier this year, their 14-year-old daughter died from an overdose. As I entered their home, I felt the weight of sorrow in the air—a mother’s heartbreak, a father’s silence, and the empty space that… Continue reading
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April 22, 2025 – I Am Not an Expert—I’m a Pastor and a Companion: Why I Carry a Naloxone Kit
My name is Yu-Ching Mo (my Chinese name in Mandarin), and I am a pastor who cares deeply about the community and offers spiritual/pastoral counseling to those in need. I was recently interviewed by Sing Tao Daily about why I always carry a naloxone (Narcan) kit with me. To me, this small kit is more… 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
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April 12, 2025 – Journeying Together: A Reflection on Sharing, Emotion, and Healing from an Online Workshop with the Chinese Support Group at Pathways Clubhouse
Today, I had the privilege of serving as a guest speaker for the Chinese Support Group at Pathways Clubhouse in an online workshop. The group brings together individuals living with mental and emotional health challenges, along with their committed and compassionate family members. The theme of my presentation was “Coping with Negative Emotions and Thoughts.”… Continue reading