Current AI suicide-prevention tools largely lack adequate safeguards. suicide prevention and artificial intelligence DOI: 10.1503/cmaj.251693

🩺📚 Learn more this week about suicide prevention and artificial intelligence.
➡️ www.cmaj.ca/lookup/doi/10.1503/cmaj.251693

Live music is in the air! Come join us for an incredible evening and see Who’s Driving, Derrick’s band. Just $5 at the door gets you a snack and drink - plus a couple hours of awesome music, to boot! Hope to see you there… 🎸🎶🎉🎉🎉 #SocialNight #Connecting #Entertainment

No progress on B.C. premier's promise to review Mental Health Act following Lapu-Lapu Day tragedy | CBC News The Mental Health Act, which legislates the involuntary detention and treatment of people who have a mental illness, has been hotly contested in recent years. As B.C. has put involuntary care at the f...

"One year ago, in the wake of the deaths of 11 people at the Lapu-Lapu Day street festival in #Vancouver, #BC Premier David Eby told grieving British Columbians that the province would review its #mentalhealth legislation to ensure it was working as intended" www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

Parksville seniors & students paired for new video podcast series PARKSVILLE - Sharing stories across generations is the focus of a new locally-produced video podcast series. B...

"Boosted by a $12,000 grant from the TELUS Storyhive program, local freelancer Clinton Nellist and his team went to work creating Branches Between Generations, an eight-episode series connecting #Parksville seniors with local high school students." #VancouverIsland nanaimonewsnow.com/2026/04/21/p...

Premption Notice: 10th Annual Wetland Project Broadcast — CHLY 101.7FM: Listener Supported in Nanaimo BC. To celebrate Earth Day 2026, CHLY 101.7FM is once again participating in the annual Wetland Project, broadcasting a majority of the “slow radio” event from midnight to midnight Wednesday April 22nd....

Wednesday April 22nd is Earth Day, and with that, our station is preempting a majority of our programming to participate in the 10th annual Wetland Project's "slow radio" event.

Learn more about what the project, and what programs won't be preempted on our website.

Campbell River Food Bank asks city for local bus service to help clients without vehicles YouTube video by CBC British Columbia

"The #CampbellRiver Food Bank on #VancouverIsland is asking the city for a bus route to its facility. The #foodbank says many of the city's residents don't have vehicles and can't access the food they need. ...a local MP wrote to city council in support of the idea." #BC youtu.be/frAJpQe-G3o

What Is BC Doing to Counter Racism in Schools? | The Tyee The government has an action plan to deal with it. But advocates say change has been slow and inconsistent.

"A fall 2025 survey from the B.C.-based Centre for Family Equity of 104 #Indigenous, #Black & other parents and caregivers of colour found that 80 per cent have kids who experienced #racist harm or #bullying in a #BC school" #BritishColumbia @centrefamilyequity.bsky.social thetyee.ca/News/2026/04...

Beach stairs replacements underway in Nanaimo NANAIMO - Parks operations staff are addressing several projects to enhance Nanaimo waterfront access, particu...

City of Nanaimo Parks crews are busy repairing popular beach access stairs. Several projects are on the go including complete and partial replacements.

#nanaimo #parks #beachaccess

nanaimonewsnow.com/2026/04/20/b...

Comment: The missing half of the addiction story Lived experience is not a slogan. It is evidence.

"The paths are different, but the outcome is the same: people getting their lives back. #Harmreduction has its place. It can keep people alive. But without a pathway to #recovery, it risks managing #addiction instead of helping people overcome it" #comment www.timescolonist.com/opinion/comm...

Graphic is a purple poster with some detailing. Detailing includes squiggly white lines, hearts, and two hands with a heart. Text reads: "Are you an unpaid caregiver for someone living with dementia in Canada? Researchers at the University of Victoria would love to hear from you! You can help by taking part in an online study about caregiver resilience — the ability to adapt, grow and do well even when facing tough situations. We hope the results of this study will help create better supports and services for caregivers. The study includes 2 parts: 1) online survey (~45-60 minutes) 3) optional online cognitive tasks (similar to brain games; ~30 mins) Study Payment: -$15 gift card of your choosing for completing the survey OR -$25 gift card of your choosing AND raffle entry for prizes up to $500 for completing the survey and cognitive tasks Interested? Contact us at resilientcarestudy@uvic.ca or scan the QR code in the poster to to set up a 5-10 minute screening phone call. " Also includes a QR code leading to the study website

Are you an unpaid caregiver for someone living with dementia in Canada? We'd love to hear from you!

Contact us at resilientcarestudy@uvic.ca or scan the QR code in the poster to to set up a 5-10 minute screening phone call.
#caregivers #resilience #dementiaresearch #clinicalpsychology

Part 2: MICRs impact on the Comox Valley and community wellness - Comox Valley Record ‘We’re saving time and money, but it needs commitment, and needs commitment from this municipality’

Mobile Integrated Crisis Response was formed by the #ComoxValley RCMP and the #NorthIsland #MentalHealth and #SubstanceUse Services to address rising mental health concerns in the Valley | #VancouverIsland #BC #BritishColumbia #Canada comoxvalleyrecord.com/2026/04/18/p...

Digital tools, podcasts offer new paths to mental health support - Campbell River Mirror Avenues to well being are breaking traditional molds and offering options for all

"Data from the World Health Organization reveals that there was a 25% increase of #anxiety & #depression globally during the first couple years of the COVID 19 #pandemic. This then drove a surge in the demand for and development of digital #mentalhealth tools" campbellrivermirror.com/2026/04/18/d...

Williams Lake teenager running for BC Children’s Hospital - Victoria News Manav Pooni plans to run 200-kilometres over the month of May

"Manav Pooni hopes to cover at least 200-kilometres while raising funds for the #Vancouver hospital which provides specialized pediatric services to more than 99,000 kids each year...the #BC Children’s Hospital holds extra personal, special meaning to him" #Canada vicnews.com/2026/04/18/w...

Unpacking 10 years of a public health emergency YouTube video by People First Radio

Researcher Bernie Pauly spoke with the program to help unpack how the response to the toxic drug poisoning crisis has unfolded over the last decade in B.C.

Listen:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoxY...

@vimhs.bsky.social

Survey on alcohol use in Tofino will lead to action plan YouTube video by CHEK Media

"The [ #Tofino ] Region's #alcohol use is above the #BC average and a recent RCMP traffic blitz showed that both residents and visitors are to blame." #VancouverIsland #britishcolumbia
youtu.be/BJwYoPrrv28

Qualicum Beach ‘exploring possible solutions’ to keep Qualicum Commons open The Town of Qualicum Beach says it’s looking at ways to keep the Qualicum Commons building open after it recently announced it was not renewing the building’s lease, drawing sharp criticism from the c...

"Participants young & old, were calling on [ #QualicumBeach ] council to save the Commons building, which includes spaces for #childcare, #arts, #physiotherapy for seniors and Coast Karma Academy, an independent #school serving #neurodiverse students" #BC #VancouverIsland cheknews.ca/qualicum-bea...

Sooke says it can’t expand supportive housing - Sooke News Mirror Council points to service gaps as CRD urges regional action on homelessness

" #Sooke council says it is not in a position to meet provincial expectations for expanding #supportivehousing as the Capital Regional District urges communities to identify potential sites to address #homelessness across the region" #Victoria #VancouverIsland #BC sookenewsmirror.com/2026/04/17/s...

Hardy Bay Seniors Centre gearing up for summer programs - North Island Gazette The Society is also looking for volunteers for various events and activities

"#HardyBay Senior Citizens Society...received a grant from the New Horizons for Seniors Program [an] initiative that supports community-based projects aimed at empowering older adults, fostering #socialinclusion & encouraging #volunteerism" #VancouverIsland #BC northislandgazette.com/2026/04/18/h...

Victoria creative hub gives artists space to grow together - Vancouver Island Free Daily A grassroots hub is creating space for artists to connect, create and heal

"In a city known for its artistic spirit, a small but growing creative hub is bringing artists together under one roof, not just to create, but to connect, collaborate and heal ...a sense of #community..." #Victoria #VancouverIsland #BC #BritishColumbia vancouverislandfreedaily.com/2026/04/18/v...

B.C. pilot project will track chemicals in illicit drug supply Victoria Police Chief Fiona Wilson calls use of the technology — the first program of its kind in Canada — a “game changer.”

“This technology has the potential to be the most significant advancement in #drugintelligence and #publichealth, certainly that I’ve seen in almost three decades of #policing,” [comparable] to the advent of DNA as a tool to identify criminals. | #Victoria #BC www.timescolonist.com/local-news/b...

100+ youth primed for first-ever Nanaimo Kidovate market day NANAIMO - Around 100 budding entrepreneurs are ready to put their business development lessons to the test.The...

Budding entrepreneurs will be selling their products at Nanaimo North Town Centre on Saturday, part of the first Kidovate Market Day in the Harbour City.

Over recent months, youth in grades six to 12 have been refining their business plans.

#Nanaimo

nanaimonewsnow.com/2026/04/17/1...

Daffodils and daisy chains? 🌼💛 The #SeafieldOutreach crew had a great time with both PLUS hanging out by the fire pit 🪵🔥 at a recent visit to our new #EmpressAcresFarm on a beautiful spring day! #GreatOutdoors #FreshFlowers #Nature

Today on Charter Day, we celebrate the enduring promise of rights and freedoms in Canada.

The Charter is more than a document—it’s a living commitment to dignity, equality, and justice for everyone. At CCLA, we continue to defend these rights, especially when they are at risk.

First Nations people disproportionately impacted by toxic drug crisis, officials say | CBC News First Nations members in B.C. make up approximately 3.4 per cent of the population, but accounted for 15.8 per cent of all toxic drug deaths in 2025.

"The number of #FirstNations people who died from #toxicdrugs in #BritishColumbia dropped by about a third in 2025 but officials say the population continues to be disproportionately impacted by the province's #toxicdrug crisis" #Indigenous #BC #Canada @thefnha.bsky.social www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

With a building secured, work will soon begin on Indigenous health centre in Port Alberni - Port Alberni Valley News The centre will benefit healthcare in the entire community

#PortAlberni Friendship Center is building an #Indigenous #healthcare facility for doctors, nurse practitioners, social workers, cultural supports, #mentalhealth counselling and more | #VancouverIsland #BC #BritishColumbia albernivalleynews.com/2026/04/16/w...

‘Selfless’ Esquimalt couple turn empty gestures into $40K for food security hub - Vancouver Island Free Daily The couple hope this year to surpass $50K raised for Rainbow Kitchen

"Working together like a well-oiled machine, the retired couple have spent the past 5 years scouring the neighbourhoods of #Esquimalt and #VicWest, harvesting folks’ refundable empties to raise money for a good cause" #VancouverIsland #BC #BritishColumbia vancouverislandfreedaily.com/2026/04/17/s...

Comment: We need to invest in our children and youth Untreated trauma from neglect, violence, and sexual abuse, particularly as children, is one of the strongest indicators of poor mental health, addictions, and later life outcomes.

"In the 2012 #BC Health of the #Homeless survey, more than half of all participants had experienced physical, emotional, & sexual #abuse & physical and emotional #neglect in childhood and during their critical developmental years" #Victoria #VancouverIsland www.timescolonist.com/opinion/comm...

VIU researcher looking at intersection between local government and overlapping crises In conversation with Trevor Wideman and Christopher Hauchildt

VIU Researcher Trevor Wideman spoke with the program about the intersection between local government and overlapping crises

Listen:
vancouverislandmentalhealthsociety.org/podcast/viu-...

@vimhs.bsky.social

Honoured to join the groundbreaking for the Urban Indigenous Health Centre in Port Alberni. Huge thanks to Cyndi Stevens, the Friendship Centre, the West Coast General Hospital, NTC, local Nations & partners, this is reconciliation in action.

"A shocking new report from Vancouver Coastal Health has revealed drug-related overdose as the leading cause of maternal death in the health region. ...it says the outcomes are similar to the world's poorest countries." #Vancouver #BritishColumbia #BC youtu.be/jbjclOXWdUQ