Punjabi Community Health Services Monthly Newsletter

October 2016

A Message from Executive Team October is reminiscent of warm pumpkin spice, children dressed in Halloween costumes pretending to be scary and the change in weather to cold winds. We hope you had a fun Halloween this month.

“This year funds

Every year pchs participates in this campaign to raise raised will help refunds for the United Way of Peel Region. On October duce poverty in 31st pchs kicked off their annual United Way Fundraising Campaign with a Halloween themed event for staff. Peel” Staff were given an opportunity to participate in games, - Executive Team, pchs potluck lunch and costume contest followed by a presentation from United Way. This year funds raised will help to reduce poverty in Peel. Together we are possibility and together we can solve poverty. We are excited and look forward to November as we will be hosting our 3rd Annual Friends of pchs event on 19th November 2016. This year's event will help us to shape our Strategic Plan for 2017-2019. Your presence and participation is important for us as we seek your feedback on our services. Please join us for an interactive session. Also, we will be hosting our 15th Annual International Women’s Day on March 10th, 2017 at Pearson Convention Centre in Brampton. We hope to see you all at our upcoming events!

- Executive Team, pchs

Settlement Korner New updates from Immigration Refugee Citizenship Canada for PR Card Holders Canada’s entry rules are changing Permanent residents (PR) of Canada must carry and show their valid PR Card or permanent resident travel document (PRTD) when boarding a flight to Canada, or travelling to Canada on any other commercial carrier. If you do not carry your PR Card or PRTD, you may not be able to board your flight, train, bus or boat to Canada. It is your responsibility to make sure your PR Card is still valid when you return from travel outside Canada and to apply for a new PR Card before your current card expires. For more information, please contact Settlement Counsellors at pchs- 905-677-0889. (Source- This information is from the online source at http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/ information/applications/guides/5529ETOC.asp)

Mental Health Korner Suicide and Teens Suicide is the act of deliberately ending one's own life. It is one of the leading causes of death among teenagers in Canada. In addition to family, school also plays a vital role in contributing towards the mental health of teen and youth. Stresses and excitements are two sides of a coin for a teenager. School is where teenagers set goals towards future, get opportunities for new relationships, adventure and many other reasons for joy and learning. On the other hand, school life also brings experiences related to many mental stresses such as exam failure, love failure, relationship breakdowns, financial needs or experimenting drugs or other substances under peer pressure. Young people often feel tremendous pressure to succeed at school, at home and in social groups but they may lack life experiences that let them know that difficult situations will not last forever. Some Facts 

Suicide accounts for 24% of all deaths among 15-24 olds and 16% among 15-24 olds

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Spring and fall are the months of highest risk

“Young people often feel tremendous pressure to succeed at school, at home and in social groups but they may lack life experiences that let them know that difficult situations will not last forever.” .

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Approximately one-third of teens who die by suicide have made a previous suicide attempt.

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Experiences loneliness and helplessness before attempting for suicide.

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An estimated 80% of all those who commit suicide give some warning of their intentions or mention their feelings to a friend or family member.

Major Warning Signs  

       

Giving or throwing away favorite belongings Previous suicide attempt(s) Current talk of suicide or making a plan Increased alcohol and/or other drug use Hinting at not being around in the future Acting anxious or agitated; behaving recklessly. Sleeping too little or too much Lack of self-care /neglect of self Withdrawn or feeling isolated. Reconnecting with old friends and extended family as if to say goodbye

What if someone approaches you for help?       

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Be an active listener Find ways to break through the silence and secrecy Ask if they have plans or have made prior attempts Helping them find ways to lessen their pain Helping them see positive possibilities in their future Shows that you care for him / her Consider every suicidal threat as a serious threat even if you are not sure about the intensity of the threat Guide a person at risk to appropriate sources such as a counsellor or other trusted adult, or contact a community crisis lines

Crisis Helpline Numbers in Peel Region: Peel Crisis Service: 905-278-9036 Peel Children Centre - 905-278-9036 Emergency Services: 911

Act quickly, Save a Life! Source: This article is a compilation of information from following online resources:   

http://suicideprevention.ca/ Canadian Children's Rights Council - http://canadiancrc.com/ CMHA Toronto - http://www.cmha.ca/media/fast-facts-about-mental-illness/ #.WBn7Yy0rKUk

“

Act quickly,

save a life!”

Invitation to participate in a Research Study: 

Perceptions and Stigma of Mental Health:

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Perspectives of South Asian men.

Who? - Men (aged 45+) who immigrated to Canada between 10-20 years ago. - Men (aged 18-24) who were born in Canada.

What? - Participate in a face-to-face focus group with 5-6 other individuals. - 90 minutes, video-recorded - Tell your experience with acculturation and mental health. Where? At a Punjabi Community Health Services or Private Library Room. Why? To inform policies to better support/facilitate mental health services for South Asian men. This study has been reviewed and received ethics clearance through the Research Ethics Boards at Brock University [File No. 16-060]. If you have any comments or concerns about your rights as a research participant, please contact the Research Ethics Office at (905) 6885550 Ext. 3035, [email protected]. To contact supervisor: Dr. Miya Narushima Associate Professor at Brock University (905) 688-5550 ext 5149 If you are interested in this project, please contact: Tavleen Dhinsa Student Department of Health Sciences Brock University Email: [email protected] Tel: (647)-460-9868

RESEARCH STUDY INFORMATION

UNITED WAY FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN– -a kick off by pchs staff!

HALLOWEEN PARTY AT pchs!!!

Upcoming Events

(Check our ‘Events Section’ at www.pchs4u.com)

See you all there!

A message from pchs Editorial Team: Dear Readers,

“a VOICE from pchs’ heart to our readers’ hearts...”

Editorial Team 

Aditi Juneja



Pushpreet Dhillon

Hopefully you have enjoyed reading this month’s newsletter. ……..STAY TUNED FOR MORE!!