mental-health
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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
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June 25, 2025 – Reflections from This Afternoon’s “Indigeneity & Intercultural Connection” at KPU Richmond
This afternoon, I had the privilege of being part of a deeply moving gathering hosted by Richmond Multicultural Community Services (RMCS) at Kwantlen Polytechnic University. Indigeneity and Intercultural Connection brought together a vibrant circle of voices—Indigenous elders, second-generation immigrants, newcomers, artists, and community leaders. It was a space where we didn’t just talk about connection—we… Continue reading
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June 19, 2025 – More Than “Just Say No”: A Reflection on Crafting a Comprehensive Dialogue for Chinese Families on Youth Substance Use
In many Chinese communities, discussions around youth substance use often gravitate towards broad policy measures or strict prohibitions. We’re ingrained with the simple directive to “just say no” to drugs. Yet, as we navigate increasingly complex social landscapes and the inherent challenges of adolescence, one might reflect: is that singular message truly sufficient? A persistent… Continue reading
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June 10, 2025 – When “Anti-Drug” Becomes a Tool for Inciting Hatred: Reflections on the Richmond Incidents
Recent videos circulating in Richmond have brought to light a disturbing phenomenon: individuals are deliberately provoking people who use drugs, recording their reactions, and then disseminating these videos online. Their aim appears to be to incite public disgust towards drug users, often linking it to racial issues. This type of behavior, disguised under the banner… Continue reading
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May 27, 2025 – A Visit to the Hospital, a Glimpse of the Streets
Today, I visited a parishioner at St. Paul’s Hospital. As I stepped outside after the visit, my attention was drawn to a group of individuals sitting or lying near the hospital entrance. Some had carts and bags with them, everything they owned gathered in one place. One person was lying motionless on the ground. I… 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 23, 2025 – Reclaiming Healing: Reflections on Len Pierre’s TEDx Talk “Decolonizing Substance Use and Addiction”
I was deeply touched and inspired by Len Pierre’s TEDxSFU talk, Decolonizing Substance Use and Addiction. As a Coast Salish educator and traditional knowledge keeper from the Katzie First Nation, Pierre speaks with clarity, conviction, and deep compassion about the complex realities of addiction, especially within Indigenous communities. What makes his message so powerful is… 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 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
