Interior Crisis Line Network record number of calls and 450,000 minutes of support
In 2020, Crisis Line Responders across the Interior Region provided close to 450,000 minutes of empowering support, skilled assessment and crisis de-escalation. A record since the service began in 2012. “Crisis Line Awareness week is a time to recognize the impact of this service and the important commitment of our staff and...
BC sees less than 500 new cases overnight, 31 in IHA
Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.’s provincial health officer, and Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, have issued the following joint statement regarding updates on the COVID-19 response in British Columbia: “Today, we are reporting 498 new cases, for a total of 89,427 cases in British Columbia. “There are 4,851 active cases of COVID-19...
Grand Forks Woman Shakes-it-Up After Winning BC 50/50 Ticket
The BC Lottery Corporation said in a media release that a Grand Forks resident couldn’t believe the scan of a BC 50/50 ticket landed exactly $55,896.50 from a draw on February 7, 2021. “I was at home after coming back from a walk with my husband,” Diana Verigin recalled. “I scanned the ticket using the BCLC Lotto! app on my...
DriveSmartBC: Steering Wheel Hand Placement
There were some students in my Elder College class last week that were surprised to learn that it was no longer generally acceptable to hold the steering wheel with your hands in the 10 and 2 position. Who would have thought that how to hold your vehicle's steering wheel would change, or that it even mattered? After sharing...
Selkirk College Prepares for Safe Return to Campus in September
Under guidance from Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry, Selkirk College is joining post-secondaries from across British Columbia in preparation for a return to in-person education on campuses for September 2021. On Monday, Dr. Henry released a letter outlining the process that post-secondary institutions will be...
Myths About the Overdose Crisis in B.C.
More and more, the conversation about substance use is changing. For example, people are becoming more aware of using words and language that reduce stigma. However, common myths still exist, including some about the overdose crisis – an ongoing public health emergency in B.C. Inaccurate information or beliefs about substance...
542 new cases overnight in BC, 43 in IHA
Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.’s provincial health officer, and Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, have issued the following joint statement regarding updates on the COVID-19 response in British Columbia: “Today, we are reporting 542 new cases, including five epi-linked cases, for a total of 81,909 cases in British Columbia. “There are...
Province pairs with CBT for wildfire mitigation
The B.C. government is investing $2.4 million to complete wildfire risk reduction projects in the Columbia Basin as part of its economic recovery plan to create jobs and help communities recover from COVID-19 impacts. “Our government’s support of this program will help mitigate wildfire threats and also provide training and...
Province creates six regional rapid response teams to help schools with Covid
Six regional COVID-19 rapid response teams are now in place to support K-12 schools and school districts with safety plans and exposure assessments. “Rapid response teams are a critically important addition to the health and safety measures that are keeping schools safe for students and staff,” said Jennifer Whiteside,...
BC records deadliest January yet as opioid crisis continues
Following a record-setting year in 2020, the BC Coroners Service reports 165 suspected illicit drug toxicity deaths in January 2021, the largest ever number of lives lost due to illicit drugs in the first month of a calendar year. “These figures are heartbreaking, both in scale and for the number of families who are grieving...