YMCA Healthy Kids Day Is This Sunday
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Peterborough Blogs
Dear Good Men Of Peterborough, You So Rock
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Where are all the good men in Peterborough?
Like many other single women I know, I sometimes wonder if there are any good men out there. My girlfriends and I joke about it and come up with our own hypotheses for where these good men may be hiding.
When I dig a bit deeper, I realize that part of that cynicism comes from the horrible things that have been happening to women and communities in Afghanistan. But I also know that as a woman in Canada, I am still at risk for violence:
• Every week, at least one woman in Canada—and sometimes more—is murdered by a current or former partner.
• 39% of women report experiencing sexual assault sometime during their lives. 2/3 of all women victims of sexual assault are under 24.
• Violence against women costs Canada well over $4 billion each year in costs of social services, criminal justice, lost employment days and health care. The human costs are much higher.
• On any given day, over 3,000 women and 2,500 children are staying in an emergency shelter somewhere in Canada to escape domestic violence.*
My family and I are among the 14,000 women and children who have stayed at YWCA’s Crossroads Shelter since its inception in 1983.
This violence against generation after generation of women and girls has to stop.
It turns out, there is a long list of good men in Peterborough who agree—and a growing number of photos to prove it!
On Friday, May 31st, over 200 good men will slip into red high heels and walk tall against the prevalence of domestic abuse in our community. They will be supporting the YWCA’s work to provide women and their children with access to the safety and security of a women’s shelter and healing programs that provide longer-term support as they rebuild their lives.
I can’t think of anything sexier.
So if you’re in the market for good men, like the idea of seeing CEOs, bankers, firefighters, social workers, police officers and local celebrities in red high heels, you better block off your May 31st noon hour. Come and join me in cheering on these good men as they begin their walk in front of City Hall and back in bright red stilettos.
If you believe in what these men are doing and wish to encourage this kind of leadership, show your support by sponsoring a walker or a team.
If you’re a good man who has the courage to stand up, there is still time to sign up!
If you are a part of Walk A Mile In Her Shoes, please accept the sincere gratitude of at least one woman who found a healing turning point at the YWCA’s Crossroads Shelter.
Truly,
Maryam Monsef
—PTBOCanada.com contributor Maryam Monsef
*Statistics via.
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Mental illness: Shawna Priestley's Inspiring & Courageous Story
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Shawna Priestley & Gord Langill at CMHA’s downtown office in Peterborough.It all started at fourteen years of age. Mental illness does not care about age. It has no bias. For Shawna Priestley, now 25 years old, her story began over a decade ago.
Shawna lived through a horrific and tragic childhood. She was sexually abused by her father as a child, which she indicates was a major trigger for her. "It was really the tragic part that affected my mental health," she said.
At 15, Shawna decided to move out on her own. She dropped out of school and had her first child at age 16.
Shawna said she began self-medicating with drugs and alcohol to help her escape from reality. The birth of her child changed all of this. All of her time and energy went towards taking care of her child, yet the real issues she was dealing with were never addressed.
At 19, Shawna was ready to talk about what happened to her as a child. She spoke to her family about the abuse she suffered at the hands of her father. It was three weeks after that, and a week before her wedding, when her father took his own life in front of the family.
This experience added an unimaginable burden, not only to Shawna but her family as well. "I was trying to take it all on my shoulders and make everything better. That’s when I woke up one day and didn’t know my own name," said Shawna.
Her first experience with psychosis involved a multitude of delusions. These were incredibly real for Shawna, despite the fact that those around her could tell something was not right.
Psychosis is a condition of the brain that causes a person to potentially lose touch with reality. Their sensory perception, judgement and organization of thoughts can be distorted. The onset of psychosis is most common between the ages of 14 and 24, but psychosis can occur to anyone, at any age.
Shawna, now with two young children, was eventually admitted into the Peterborough Regional Health Centre Mental Health unit for three months. Looking back, Shawna says she still lacked the proper education and tools to remain healthy after her discharge.
Following a year of wellness, Shawna decided to move to Niagara Falls with her partner. About a year and a half later, her symptoms began to creep back into her life. Through her prior experience, she and her partner were aware of the signs and she was quickly admitted into hospital for the second time.
After another three month stay, she decided that, with two young children at home, the most important thing to do was to become educated about mental health.
“I wanted to stop myself from ever going back to that point. I wasn’t in a psychotic break or showing symptoms, but I actually took myself in to the Lynx Program in Campbellford and met Ann, who is now my social worker as well as my co-worker.”
Shawna wasn’t officially diagnosed with bi-polar disorder until the age of 19. She says there were early warning signs throughout her adolescence, but they were never caught. She says this was due to a lack of knowledge about what mental health actually looks like. This is one of the main reasons Shawna now is giving her voice to mental health awareness.
She has now come full circle with a job as a peer support worker with the Lynx Program in Campbellford.
“Since that day I have never felt healthier. The more I learn, the more I become confident in being bi-polar, and by talking, it helps to remove the stigma.”
Lynx provided Shawna with the tools and education to be the strong person she is today. Through their multi-disciplinary team, which includes case managers, family education and support workers, peer support workers and psychiatrists, the Lynx program is one of the most renowned models for early intervention in Canada.
There are seven collaborating agencies which form a network to deliver early intervention services throughout the four counties. They include: Canadian Mental Health Association, Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge Branch, Peterborough Regional Health Centre, Ross Memorial Hospital, Haliburton Highlands Mental Health Services, Campbellford Memorial Hospital, Northumberland Hills Hospital and the Schizophrenia Society of Ontario.
The Lynx Program has a commitment to respond by phone within 72 hours, have a face to face visit with the client within three days after the phone conversation and, if they screen in with possible psychosis, the individual will meet with a program psychiatrist within three weeks.
Gord Langill, who works for the Lynx Program in Peterborough, says by identifying the illness in its early stages, many people are able to continue living a regular life.
“Without early intervention many individuals experience a lot more suffering. Their work, school and social life all can go downhill. That is why we need early intervention, it helps prevent this process and the psychosis will have less drastic effects.”
Some of the early warning signs include: suspiciousness; things seeming different, unreal or surreal; recent decline at school or at work; a decline in concentration; social withdrawal; decrease or increase in energy.
“The signs are subtle. They are real, they are clear, but they are not acute,” Langill states.
With greater acceptance and education, programs like Lynx are better able to serve individuals who are experiencing psychosis.
“I think a lot of young people who I talk to now are cooler with psychosis. They don’t talk about it with as much fear or discomfort or stigma as we saw, even five years ago,” said Langill.
Looking back on her experience, Shawna says she didn’t know what mental health was. “I wanted to be a teacher, I wanted to do things with my life but I thought, well, I’m a crazy person, who’s going to let me do anything? So I educated myself and surrounded myself with people, with and without mental illness, and realized it’s not that few and far between.”
The work and education Shawna has done through the Lynx program has changed her perception of what mental health actually looks like.
“I have a 100% different view on mental health now that I am working with and through Lynx than I did before.”
About one in four people—over six and a half million Canadians—will experience a mental health problem during their lifetime.
Unfortunately, many people don’t ask for help. They feel ashamed or scared. People may judge them and treat them negatively based on a mental health problem. Others have trouble finding a place to live, finding a job, maintaining relationships and other important parts of life. In fact, most people living with a mental health issue say that stigma is worse than the symptoms they feel.
Shawna believes we have made tremendous strides in trying to break down the stigma. “The stigma will be removed if people just start standing up and say: "Hey, it's not what you think it is." This is no different than cancer or a broken leg. Just because we can’t see it doesn’t mean physically it’s not there.”
Statistics show there is such value in standing up and telling someone in your life something is wrong. It can make all the difference in getting the proper help needed.
“You can’t expect people to know about something you haven’t given a voice to,” she said. “Don’t allow yourself to be alone in your head with it. It can be so damaging and just giving your problems a voice is what it comes down to because we all have them and it’s not as rare as you think it is. Everybody has something and it is no less relevant than the other.”
The passion with which Shawna talks about her own story and about mental health in general is awe inspiring. She is a very courageous woman whose message has the power to change someone’s life.
“Use your voice. Don’t be afraid to talk. Everybody talks. Give a voice to the problem because if it’s not yourself you are helping, you may be helping the next person beside you that you don’t even know is going through something.”
For further information about the Lynx Early Psychosis Intervention program or about CMHA programs, call: (705) 748-6711.
—story by PTBOCanada contributor Kyle Dupont
Kyle is a Communications Officer with the Canadian Mental Health Association's Peterborough Branch and a freelance writer. Born and raised in Peterborough, Kyle is a recent graduate from New Brunswick Community College and he also holds a BA in History from Brock University. You can reach him here.
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Watch This Excellent Video From PCCHU On Community Health
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Peterborough's Jane's Walk 2013 In Celebration Of Jane Jacobs
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Jane's Walk is a yearly celebration in memory of urban activist and writer Jane Jacobs, who promoted getting out and learning more about your community.
“No one can find what will work for our cities by looking at … suburban garden cities, manipulating scale models, or inventing dream cities. You’ve got to get out and walk.”
—Jane Jacobs, Downtown is for People, 1957
Chris Gooderham is organizing the Peterborough walks, in conjunction with the Peterborough Field Naturalists.
May 4th
- 10 a.m. - A Tour of Transition
- 2 p.m. - Contentious Ribbon of Green: Exploring the Parkway Corridor
May 5th
- 9 a.m. - Islands of Green
- 1 p.m. - Creek Mystique
- 3 p.m. - Mindfulness & the Art of Sensing
[Contributed by PtboCanada's Evan Holt]
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#HonourTravis By Donating Blood At Honourary Blood Clinic In Peterborough
/Peterborough's Travis Reid, who proposed to his girlfriend on stage at Peterborough MusicFest in 2011, died recently at the age of 22 from injuries sustained in a car crash. The Crestwood grad's family is hosting a "In Honour of Travis Reid Blood Drive" at Canadian Blood Services in Peterborough on May 2nd from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at 55 George St. N. Call and book your appointment at 1-888-236-6283 or register your donation to count towards Travis’s goal (INHN013793) at Blood.ca/partnersforlife.
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City Of Peterborough Release: Higher Water Levels Anticipated on Otonabee River
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From a City of Peterborough emergency management release today...
A flood warning remains in effect for the City of Peterborough. The Otonabee Region Conservation Authority (ORCA) has advised that water levels will continue to rise along the Kawartha Lakes and Otonabee River over the next fews days.
City staff are closely monitoring the situation in consultation with ORCA, Trent Severn Waterway, Ontario Power Generation, as well as local dam operators, and are prepared to respond as required.
Residents in low lying areas along the Otonabee River are encouraged to monitor water level changes on their properties and take necessary precautions to protect life and property. Docks and structures close to the water should be secured or moved and other personal effects such as lawn furniture should be moved to higher ground.
Residents are advised that they should have sufficient and appropriate emergency supplies on hand, and sump pumps and backflow preventers should be checked to ensure that they are functioning properly. Properties that are susceptible to flooding should consider acquiring supplies such as pumps, generators and sand bags from rental companies, hardware stores and landscape suppliers.
To report a flood in your area, call the Flood Watch Hotline at 705-745-5791, ext. 228 – available on a 24 hours a day.
If, at anytime, city residents feel that they are in immediate danger by rising water, they should call 9-1-1. Please refer to the City’s website www.peterborough.ca for additional information including what to do in the event of flooding and sandbagging techniques.
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Kids Help Phone Charity Event Takes Place At Nicholls Oval May 5th
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Lindsay Barr will be performing Come out to Nicholls Oval on Sunday, May 5, to Walk So Kids Can Talk presented by BMO. This is Canada’s largest walk to support child and youth mental health and well-being.
Every day, kids in our community are hurting. And every day, they take the courageous step to reach out for help. With Kids Help Phone, they can receive the caring and confidential support they deserve, online or by phone, 24/7.
The walk starts at 10 a.m. on May 5th and will take place rain or shine. It’s a fun, family friendly event where you can enjoy a great experience outdoors while supporting an important cause.
The event will be MC’d by Energy 99.7 Promotions Coordinator, Mel Hannah, and will also feature a performance from Lindsay Barr and a “Kids Zone” with several fun-filled activities for children at the walk.
As a charity, Kids Help Phone relies on your support. Visit Walksokidscantalk.ca to learn more and sign-up as a walker or volunteer.
—by PtboCanada contributor Beth McClelland
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Watch This Amazing Anti-Bullying Video Peterborough's Avery Cantello Did As Tribute To Amanda Todd
/Peterborough's Avery Cantello was friends with Amanda Todd when she lived out in B.C., and has created this beautiful song—"Carnival Of Souls" (watch the video below)—as a tribute to Amanda and as a stand against bullying (Avery herself has been a victim of bullying). This Crestwood student's video is going viral and she has been profiled on CHEX Newswatch. You can buy the song on iTunes, and all proceeds go to Kids Help Phone. Also, check out the Facebook page Avery has started with others in honour of Amanda Todd called "Project Cinderella"—a page devoted to people standing up in solidarity against bullying. Watch (and share) this video of empowerment...
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#RandomActsofGreen: CFGP's 7 Days Of Green (#7daysofGreen) Creates Exciting Social Media Initiative
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Roll up your sleeves, Peterborough! The community is about to get its green on. The Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough have announced an exciting new community initiative, 7 Days of Green (hashtag #7daysofgreen on Twitter). Why? To increase Peterborough’s creative dialogue about local green activities while building awareness around green living and giving.
7 Days of Green kicks off April 16th with Random Acts of Green, a day when community members throughout the City and County are challenged to incorporate green activities into their lives—and each day forward—and share them on social media. Wondering what you could do? A few simple ideas to greenify your life a little more include:
- Think before you buy: Purchase environmentally sustainable cleaning products and help keep our waterways toxin-free by using eco-friendly products (handy tip: you can get these products at the GreenUP Store!)
- Compost your food waste: One-third of what we throw away at home could be easily diverted from landfills. The bonus is you get nutrient-rich compost for your garden.
- Be water smart: Install aerators in your sink faucet and showerheads and reduce your water consumption by 30%—all without affecting the performance of your water system!
Starting April 16th, spread the word about Random Acts of Green. Why? Because every green act matters.
Tweet your Random Acts of Green and pictures to @cfgp_ and use the hashtag #randomactsofgreen, or email your info and pictures to info@cfgp.ca and you’ll become a part of history.
Yep, history.
The Community Foundation is creating a community art installation from the images that you tweet and email that will be displayed over the next year throughout the community—starting at Lansdowne Place!
For more information and a full schedule of 7 Days of Green activities, visit www.cfgp.ca/green (we're a proud sponsor of this). All events are open to the public.
To learn more about the Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough, go to their Facebook page or website. And if you're on Twitter, use the #7daysofgreen and #randomactsofgreen hashtags.
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