Vancouver Island Mental Health Society
@vimhs.bsky.social
VIMHS is a non-profit organization. We provide recovery, housing, and hope to adults experiencing mental health issues.
The broadcast version of this week's program is online and can be found here: vancouverislandmentalhealthsociety.org/podcast/peop... @vimhs.bsky.social
People First Radio - May 28, 2026
A radio drama warns of elder financial abuse, former Hell's Angel warns youth of the dangers of 'gangster island'
vancouverislandmentalhealthsociety.org
ICYMI - a look at the history of the now demolished mental hospital in Weyburn Saskatchewan Listen: www.youtube.com/watch?v=dD97... @vimhs.bsky.social
Exploring the history of a Saskatchewan mental hospital
YouTube video by People First Radio
youtube.com
The Salvation Army New Hope Centre’s new four-storey modular building at 19 Nicol St. in downtown #Nanaimo is nearing completion...the new addition will double the number of shelter beds. | #Nanaimo #VancouverIsland #BC nanaimobulletin.com/2026/05/25/b...
Big changes, additions in store at Nanaimo’s New Hope Centre - Nanaimo News Bulletin
New four-storey building will be completed soon
nanaimobulletin.com
From this week's program, a look at the history of the now demolished mental hospital in Weyburn Saskatchewan Listen: vancouverislandmentalhealthsociety.org/podcast/expl... @vimhs.bsky.social
The broadcast version of this week's episode is online and can be found here: vancouverislandmentalhealthsociety.org/podcast/peop... @vimhs.bsky.social
People First Radio - May 21, 2026
Looking back on the history of the mental hospital in Weyburn Saskatchewan
vancouverislandmentalhealthsociety.org
A new vehicle for the Salvation Army in Nanaimo is transforming how they deliver their daily food and outreach programs. #nanaimo #salvationarmy #community nanaimonewsnow.com/2026/05/22/n...
New Nanaimo Salvation Army mobile kitchen delivering hot meals
NANAIMO - A new vehicle is transforming the way the Harbour City's Salvation Army branch is working in the com...
nanaimonewsnow.com
ICYMI the program featured a conversation with Philip Seagram, who went on a cross Canada busking tour in 2022, after retiring from a position as a provincial court judge in B.C. Listen: www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9uw... @vimhs.bsky.social
Retired judge turned busker shares stories from cross Canada tour
YouTube video by People First Radio
youtube.com
HUGE WIN: Last week, Canada's Supreme Court created a tort of intimate partner violence. Kuldeep Ahluwalia fought for herself & every survivor who comes after 🏛️✊🏾 Enormous recognition to our formidable allies @westcoastleaf.bsky.social, @risewomenslegal.bsky.social & BWSS who intervened in the case
The results have been verified by BCMSA, so now it’s official! NACL achieved a 98% score on our #WorkSafeBC Certificate of Recognition (CoR) Health and Safety Maintenance Audit! 🤩🎉 Thanks SO MUCH to our NACL team for its commitment to OH&S. Let’s continue to stay safe and well! 🥰👍 #OHS #Audit
Want to share a song, some comedy, or otherwise? This week’s #SocialNight is an #OpenMic - so join us and show off your talents! 🎤🎉 Just $5 at the door gets you a snack and drink, too - so be the entertainer or be entertained from 6-8 p.m. this Thursday, May 21st! 🤩👍 #Connecting #EveryoneWelcome
"Western Edge Theatre prepares for its last show of the season [with] 7 Stories... The comedic tone amidst the heavy themes allows for audiences to find humour in the challenges of #mentalhealth" #Nanaimo #VancouverIsland #BC @chly.ca @westernedgetheatre.bsky.social www.chly.ca/local-news/2...
Western Edge Theatre gears up for its last show of the season, in time for Men’s Mental Health Month. — CHLY 101.7FM: Listener Supported in Nanaimo BC.
With Men’s Mental Health month coming up, Nanaimo’s Western Edge Theatre prepares for its last show of the season, Canadian made play, 7 Stories.
chly.ca
"Red’s Bakery has been described by its supporters as a pillar of downtown #Nanaimo. The bakery’s pay it forward system provides free meals to anyone and everyone who comes in and asks. ...[but] the future of the bakery is uncertain" #VancouverIsland #BC #BritishColumbia www.chly.ca/local-news/2...
‘Paying it forward’: How one bakery in downtown Nanaimo is making sure nobody goes hungry — CHLY 101.7FM: Listener Supported in Nanaimo BC.
Operating on Commercial street in downtown Nanaimo since 2018, Red’s Bakery has been described by its supporters as a pillar of downtown Nanaimo. The bakery’s Pay It Forward system provides free meals...
chly.ca
"The Supreme Court of #Canada has recognized #intimatepartnerviolence [ #IPV ] as a distinct legal basis for pursuing civil damages [in] the case of a woman who was subjected to physical and emotional #abuse by her husband during a 16-year marriage" www.timescolonist.com/national-new...
Supreme Court recognizes intimate partner violence as a legal basis for civil damages
The court said the torts of assault, battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress — existing legal avenues for seeking financial damages — fail to remedy the specific harms to dignity, aut...
timescolonist.com
Mobility mats are expanding to more popular waterfront locations around #Nanaimo. nanaimonewsnow.com/2026/05/15/m...
More beach accessibility mats rolling out in Nanaimo
NANAIMO - Additional options are now available to make Nanaimo's popular waterfront areas more accessible, inc...
nanaimonewsnow.com
This week the program featured a conversation with Philip Seagram, who went on a cross Canada busking tour in 2022, after retiring from a position as a provincial court judge in B.C. Listen: vancouverislandmentalhealthsociety.org/podcast/reti... @vimhs.bsky.social
Retired judge turned busker shares stories from cross Canada tour
"If you have an urge to do something, even if you can't even articulate why...have a shot at it."
vancouverislandmentalhealthsociety.org
Hope you all have a fun long weekend in store, despite its cooler (and possibly rainier ☔️) start! Here’s LF and WM from #ActionsDayProgram at #EvanmorrAcresFarm a couple weeks ago…all smiles in the sunshine! ☀️☺️ #WeekendVibes #TGIF #FarmFun
ICYMI Victoria Dr. Jill Wiwcharuk has a large following on social media addressing topics linked to health and homelessness. She spoke about an example of how she's seen that work make an impact Full interview: open.spotify.com/episode/2P8J... @vimhs.bsky.social
ICYMI Victoria based Dr. Jill Wiwcharuk speaks about her work on social media Listen: www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhT4... @vimhs.bsky.social
“Street Dr. Jill” talks influencing on homelessness and healthcare
YouTube video by People First Radio
youtube.com
"Sea Wolves #VancouverIsland Men’s #Cancer Support celebrated it’s centennial coffee gathering...scheduled casual meet-ups in downtown #Nanaimo provide a comfortable climate for men in various phases of their cancer battles to support one another" #BC nanaimonewsnow.com/2026/05/13/g...
‘Guys are notoriously known for shutting down:’ Nanaimo-based cancer support group celebrates 100th coffee meet-up
NANAIMO - Casual, impromptu get togethers spawned into a widespread and impactful movement beyond anybody's ex...
nanaimonewsnow.com
"As expected, Island Health has turned down a request from the City of #Nanaimo to have The Hub set up in a building owned by the health authority, located at 250 Albert St." #homelessness #VancouverIsland #BC #BritishColumbia nanaimobulletin.com/2026/05/12/i...
Island Health turns down having The Hub at 225 Albert St. - Nanaimo News Bulletin
Health authority setting up wellness and recovery centre at the site
nanaimobulletin.com
"The Hub, which operated at 55 Victoria Rd., offered outreach and resources to people experiencing #homelessness in the city [of #Nanaimo] until its closure at the end of March, 2026" #VancouverIsland #BC #BritishColumbia nanaimobulletin.com/2026/05/13/n...
Nanaimo council members take issue with province for not financing The Hub - Nanaimo News Bulletin
Location of facility also discussed
nanaimobulletin.com
The broadcast version of the most recent program is online and can be found here: vancouverislandmentalhealthsociety.org/podcast/peop... @vimhs.bsky.social
People First Radio - May 07, 2026
"Street Dr. Jill" talks influencer work, plus a conversation about dogs, overdose, and naloxone
vancouverislandmentalhealthsociety.org
"WARNING: This video contains discussion of suicide. Friends and family of Jenna Dorman, who died from #postpartum #suicide, have started a new foundation called In Her Circle in an attempt to close the gaps in maternal #mentalhealth care." #BC #BritishColumbia youtu.be/qFvJUnxSs-w
‘In Her Circle’ movement hopes to close gaps in postpartum mental health care
YouTube video by CBC British Columbia
youtu.be
"On May 14, an #OakBay event will give attendees some tricks and tips to make dozing off easier. ...Participants will learn practical ways to relax the body, calm the mind, fall asleep more easily and improve quality of sleep." #VancouverIsland #BC oakbaynews.com/2026/05/12/o...
Oak Bay talk promises help in getting a good night’s sleep - Oak Bay News
The event takes place May 14 at Monterey Rec Centre
oakbaynews.com
"Mental health services for #CowichanValley #youth aged 12-24 can be strengthened and expanded thanks to a $1,041,474 infusion from Health Canada’s Youth Mental Health Fund." #mentalhealth #foodinsecurity #housinginsecurity #VancouverIsland #BC #BritishColumbia ladysmithchronicle.com/2026/05/11/f...
Funding aims to expand mental health supports for Cowichan youth - Ladysmith Chronicle
Monies will go to Cowichan Valley Youth Services
ladysmithchronicle.com
"“I’m quite interested in the work that they are doing and what they’re pursuing to address this important issue” ...although many of the solutions to #homelessness are provincial responsibilities “what we need is collaboration”" #Parksville #VancouverIsland #BC pqbnews.com/2026/05/12/p...
Parksville will invite delegation from new homelessness task force - Parksville Qualicum News
Task force formed after similarly named group disbanded in 2025
pqbnews.com
"The Swenson family was first introduced to the Canucks Autism Network 5 years ago, when Loki was diagnosed with autism. After getting help from the program in navigating the journey with #autism, the family decided to give back..." #Saanich #BC #Canada vancouverislandfreedaily.com/2026/05/12/b...
‘Bread Boys’: Young Saanich twins raising dough for Canucks Autism Network - Vancouver Island Free Daily
Boys launched the ‘Bread Boys’ stall, inspired by help they received for one twin’s autism diagnosis
vancouverislandfreedaily.com
Choose to Move info session English -Tuesday, May 19th 11:00am– 12:00pm Free Ready to feel stronger healthier & more connected? Choose to Move is a free, flexible 3 month program designed for adults 55+. With guidance of an activity coach, you'll build a plan that fits your lifestyle #choosetomove
"Organizations and individuals that reduce #stigma and make #mentalhealth and #substanceuse supports more accessible were recognized at the 2026 Island Health community service awards this week." #VancouverIsland #BritishColumbia #BC @vanislandhealth.bsky.social www.timescolonist.com/local-news/b...
Building hope: Island Health awards those making mental health, substance use supports more accessible
“Community leadership changes lives, and that’s exactly what these awards represent,” said Health Minister Josie Osborne.
timescolonist.com
