Part of our culture tells us everything should be merry and bright this time of year, but for a great many people who are already struggling, it can be anything but. It's no coincidence that this is when family strife, financial stress and loss all seem to be most keenly felt.
A reminder of some good practices: a good night’s sleep, some exercise and exposure to nature are probably the best things for us. Greet the holidays on your own terms and try not to feel pressured into festivities that don’t make you feel festive.
But sometimes, it takes more than that, which makes us very grateful for the North Shore Peer Assisted Care Team. They’ve now finished their first year providing civilian-led support for people in crisis. We have come so far in how society recognizes and deals with mental illness, but the old model of involving 911 and police is overdue to be updated.
We are pleased to learn that this service is being expanded in the new year. Even more exciting is that it has proven so successful so far, the PACT program will be replicated in nine other B.C. communities by 2024. We are beyond proud to say this program got its start here led by the North Shore branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association.
The North Shore PACT can be reached from Thursday to Sunday between 6 p.m. and midnight, by calling 1-888-261-7228 or texting 778-839-1831, or they can be found online at northshorepact.com.
There is no panacea for all that causes emotional pain, but a sympathetic ear from someone with the proper training and connections to the right resources is a wonderful gift to have.
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