Friday 31 March 2017


Doug Stoddart, on behalf of The Community First Health Co-op, receives the Professional Services Excellence Award from Chamber Director Karen Bennett (Photo courtesy The Nelson Daily)



Community First Health Co-op was pleased to be honoured last night by Nelson's Chamber of Commerce with the Professional Services Excellence award. Doug Stoddart, Board Member, accepted the award before the 100 plus business members who attended the Chamber's Annual General Meeting.


Doug acknowledged the hundreds of individuals who have provided "social capital" to Community First Health Co-op over the past 15 years.  Social capital is generated by individuals pooling their resources and energies for the benefit of communities. Without social capital Community First Health Co-op would never have got off the ground, let alone have an asset like the Wellness Center at 518 Lake Street, Nelson. 

Great news and great recognition of the excellent service the Health Co-op provides to our community.

Eric and Marion



Thursday 30 March 2017

Passport to Wellness Health Fair: What's Happening on Saturday, April 8th in Nelson




Hop to IT!

Session Descriptions and Scheduling  
 Saturday, April 8th, 2017

10:30

Flourishing through Mindfulness- Sonya Franke, Certified Mindfulness Educator

Join Sonya Franke, certified mindfulness educator to learn simple yet effective techniques to increase present moment awareness, helping to cultivate healthy habits of heart, mind and body.  Scientists are calling mindfulness, “Brain Hygiene”.  Mindfulness offers us a way to meet our present moment experience in an accepting, open, compassionate way, developing greater inner patience, resilience, calm and happiness over time.  Learn how to practice in formal and informal ways
. 
Mental Health through Massage – Sherri Bouliane  RMT

Sherri Bouliane will be presenting on how massage can help with a variety of mental health  issues such as stress, anxiety, insomnia , PTSD, trauma and body awareness.

Karen Leman – Services to support mental health in our community and the health care system- IHA

Join Karen Leman as she helps us understand what the role of the IHA is in the mental health of our community and what resources are available for us.  She will be able to answer questions and direct people to appropriate resources.

12:00

Inspiring Change in self: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Relational Somatic Therapy for Chronic Pain and Mood Problems – Tara Emery RSW/RST

Join Tara Emery as she explains these practical treatments and how they can be used to set goals, inspire change, treat depression, anxiety, PTSD, chronic pain and insomnia. Tare is a Relational Somatic Therapist and Social Worker who has been with the RISEBC Wellness Centre for 2 years.

Resilience: Addressing the Challenges of MS ( and other Chronic conditions) , Lonnie Facchina Ms Resource Facilitator for Northern and Interior Regions

This session aims to educate and equip those affected by a chronic health condition with inspiring examples and resources to help put positive thinking to work in their own lives.

Growing Home: Your Personal Journey with Aging, Lee Reid Retired Clinical Counsellor-Specialized in Addictions, Founder of SEEDS & Author

Lee offers a 45- minute slideshow, talk and Q and A for group sharing that illustrates the values and skills rural seniors bring to healthy and creative aging.  The audience will travel into the homes and lives of seniors around the West Kootenay in a personal and intimate way.  The presentation is intended to both inspire, and to challenge, social perceptions of aging.  It is not a problem-solving venue

1:30

Parenting Kids in Anxious Times- Christy Bryceland, PhD and Liz Amaral, Family/Parenting Support- Nelson Community Services

Christy will talk about how to recognize childhood anxiety and offer strategies to support anxious children.  Liz will talk about the pillars of parenting especially needed in these anxious times. 

Emergency Room Perspective on Mental Health:  Dr. Wiedrick- MD CCFP (EM) ER Physician Lead and GP Anesthetist at Kootenay Lake Hospital in Nelson 

Dr. Wiedrick will share his perspective and provide time for group chat and discussion.

 Anxiety: What is it and how to manage it. Laura Barkwell- Registered Clinical Counsellor:

   In this session explore with Laura Barkwell, explore what anxiety is, how it presents, and how is can affect individuals. Tools and strategies will be discussed. In this session feel free to listen share stories and strategies to make this a useful, and productive session.  

Heartfulness Meditation and Peace of Mind- Sarah Sherk, Meditation Coach

Participants will be guided through a relaxation and meditation exercise to discover first hand, how this brings one into the peace of the heart.  Discover how to leave your thought behind and create a quiet space within.  In no particular posture, and in silence, you can learn to do this anywhere and at anytime.  

2:45

Community conversation inspiring action for Mental Well-being and Happiness in our communities.

Facilitated by Mia Gardiner



The “Bite” truck will be on site. Child care is available.

Come spend the day for your Mental Health and Happiness.


See you Friday and Saturday... will be a great two days for our community.

Marion and Eric