There are several kinds of ticks crawling around Manitoba, including the Deer Tick which is responsible for transmitting Lyme Disease. Avoiding tick bites is the best way to prevent this. Here’s how you can keep yourself bite-free when spending time outdoors: 1) Wear closed-toe shoes, long sleeves, and pants. 2) Walk on pathways, staying clear of heavily wooded areas. 3) Use bug spray with DEET or picaridin. 4) After being outside, check yourself, children, gear, and pets for ticks, bathe, and put all clothes worn outdoors into a dryer for 10-20 minutes. If you find an embedded tick, gently remove it using tweezers by pulling close to the skin, avoiding squeezing the tick.
Community News
End the Self-Sabotage
Did you know your unconscious mind could be keeping you from having what you truly want in your life, and could even be sabotaging your best efforts? Most of us don’t realize that we make commitments to ourselves other than the ones we’re consciously aware of. These unconscious commitments fuel your thoughts and behaviours, and create your reality. They are what creates the gap between what you say you want and what you are actually experiencing. For example, when you were young, you experienced a difficult situation and didn’t know how to process it. You made a decision (consciously or unconsciously) to make it mean something about you or the world around you. This formed a belief as a coping mechanism and your mind believed it was necessary for survival. Maybe it’s “I’ll stay quiet so I won’t seem stupid” or “Good girls do what they’re told”. Even though these beliefs and decisions are old, they have stuck with you, been reinforced over time and prevent you from having the things you truly desire. Ready to expose and erase those unconscious commitments and choose new ones? This is the powerful work we do in the Shine True programs.
Lesley Steppler RHN, BSW, RSW | Shine True Wellness
Social Worker
A social worker’s role is to help individuals, families, and communities overcome social and economic challenges. They provide support, counseling, and advocacy services to those in need, often working with vulnerable populations such as children, seniors, and individuals with disabilities. Social workers also work with government agencies and community organizations to develop and implement programs that promote social justice and equality.
What Can a Social Worker Do for Me?
Talk to all health care professionals involved with your mental health challenges including family members sometimes.
Put together a care plan: best methods of recovery tailored to you.
Most mental health social workers are trained to counsel on some minor issues.
Educate on mental health in general, and the importance of treating these issues.
Help find treatment facilities and in-patient mental health care centers, if necessary.
Help attend to daily needs (i.e., help you find and apply for certain types of assistance, such as employment and income benefits or disability benefits).
Monitor your progress and determine whether your treatment plan is working for you.
Help you find different doctors or facilities that can better cater to your needs. Where Can I Find a Social Worker?
Hospitals.
Psychiatric Hospitals.
Mental Health Facilities.
Community Health Centers.
Rehabilitation Centers.
Schools.
Detention Centers.
Government Agencies.
Your Mental Health Advocates
Mood Disorders Association of Manitoba is committed to advocating for and supporting those with mental health issues.
Get Involved: MoodMb.ca You can help us make a difference.
Donate Online: Memoriam and Tribute Donations
Donate In-person: 100-4 Fort Street, Winnipeg
MDAM SUPPORT LINES
Peer Support: 204-560-1461 • Toll-Free: 1-800-263-1460
Mental Health Care Professions in Manitoba
This article is part one of a three-part series exploring mental health support options in Manitoba. This article focuses on the various trained mental health care roles and what each can do for you. Part two explores roles within the public health care system. Finally, part three discusses the role of peer support within the mental health care system.
Therapist
Therapy is a type of treatment that is common in both physical as well as mental health disorders. To differentiate from physical therapy, it is called psychotherapy when emotional and behavioral problems are being treated. Though it is the therapist who does the talking with the patient during psychotherapy, the feelings or the emotions displayed by the patient while talking about their problems give lots of clues to the therapist about the root problems of the patient.
What Can a Therapist Do for Me?
Offer you treatment.
Teach you ways of coping with your feelings and ways to cope with troublesome situations.
Helps you deal with feelings of anger, depression, guilt, anxiety, shyness, etc.
Where Can I Find a Therapist?
Private therapy practices, including online therapy options.
Group therapy practices.
Hospitals.
Nursing Homes.
Pain Clinics.
Rehabilitation Clinics.
Community and Mental Health Centers.
Correctional Facilities.
Stay tuned for next month when we explore mental health roles within the public health care system in Manitoba.
Over 65? Assess Your Risk
Bone mineral density (BMD) testing is crucial in assessing the risk of developing osteoporosis or fractures. Women and men over 65 and those with risk factors for fracture should get a BMD test. Combining BMD tests with clinical risk factors can determine fracture risk and inform treatment decisions. Protect your ability to live your best life with Echolight™, the new ultrasound bone density measurement scanner that takes 15 minutes to do. First time in Manitoba. You have the option of either having the scan in our office or in the comfort of your home since we have a portable one. Echolight™ is radiation-free, safe, accurate as well as Health Canada and FDA approved.
Don’t Use Super Glue on Dentures!
Dentures that crack intraorally can indicate the begin of potential issues. Even a small crack needs to be fixed by a denturist, as there are dangers to a quick fix solution like super glue. A chemical in super glue, called cyanoacrylate, emits dangerous fumes that can cause flu-like symptoms, irritation to your eyes nose and throat, or could potentially cause asthma when inhaled. It’s important to get a denture crack fixed by a professional. If your dentures are cracked, broken, or a tooth has fallen out, see your denturist first.
6 Health Problems Caused by Smoking
Here are 6 health problems caused by smoking that you probably didn’t know about! 1. Loss of Eye Sight – Smoking increases your risk of age-related macular degeneration.
2. Erectile Dysfunction – Tobacco causes narrowing of the blood vessels all over your body, including those that supply blood to the penis. 3. Ectopic Pregnancy – Is a life-threatening reproductive complication in women that is more likely in smokers. 4. Hip Fractures – Smokers lose bone density.
5. Colorectal Cancer – Smoking is linked to an increased risk of developing and dying from this type of cancer. 6. Rheumatoid Arthritis – It causes painful swelling that can eventually result in bone loss and joint deformity.
Over 65? Assess Your Risk
Bone mineral density (BMD) testing is crucial in assessing the risk of developing osteoporosis or fractures. Women and men over 65 and those with risk factors for fracture should get a BMD test. Combining BMD tests with clinical risk factors can determine fracture risk and inform treatment decisions. Protect your ability to live your best life with Echolight™, the new ultrasound bone density measurement scanner that takes 15 minutes to do. First time in Manitoba. You have the option of either having the scan in our office or in the comfort of your home since we have a portable one. Echolight™ is radiation-free, safe, accurate as well as Health Canada and FDA approved.
Healthy Weight Loss Through Diet
Low carb, high protein, keto, paleo, intermittent fasting, vegan, flexitarian… there are so many options. If you are trying to lose weight, any of the fad diets will help you achieve short-term results. But for long-lasting results and overall health and wellness, you’ll want to create a personalized diet plan. Be realistic about how many calories you need based on your age and activity level. Plan for a balanced intake of nutrients. Consider whether additional supplements may be needed and whether they may interact with your medications or medical conditions. If opting to take a weight loss medication, it will work better when combined with diet and lifestyle changes.
