SRWC’s Family Program offers education, counseling and empowerment for families affected by addiction, such as partners, siblings, or adult-children. The Family Counsellor has also been helping people deal with more high-risk situations. “The quarantine has been particularly hard on parents with adult-children living at home. But, there is hope. We meet regularly to help find ways to connect with the positive people in their lives. We create a community that helps to keep everyone stable and sane. There is encouragement and hope in knowing you are not alone and can take back control of your life.” For more information about SRWC’s family program, visit https://srwc-mb.ca/portfolio/family-program/

An average of 10 impaired driving criminal charges and short-term licence suspensions were laid every hour in Canada in 2019, as shown in a new report from MADD Canada. The report shows:
• 86,964 total charges and short-term suspensions were laid;
• 232 charges and short-term suspensions were laid for every 100,000 Canadians; and an
• Average of 238 charges and short-term suspensions were laid, daily.
Stay safe this season:
• Never operate a car or any other vehicle while impaired;
• Never ride with a driver who is impaired;
• Call 911 to report suspected impaired drivers.

The holidays bring plenty of joy, but it can also be a stressful season for many. Focus on workplace wellness to help employees maintain healthy habits and mental health. Choose healthy options for holiday events and give gifts of wellness to employees this year i.e., onsite massages or stress management lunch and learns. Encourage employees to stay active by hosting onsite yoga classes. Support employee’s financial wellness with minimal budgets on events and partnering with local business for discounts and promotions. Be mindful of your decisions and the impacts it may have on your employees. Healthy & Happy New Year!

An average of 10 impaired driving criminal charges and short-term licence suspensions were laid every hour in Canada in 2019, as shown in a new report from MADD Canada. The report shows:
• 86,964 total charges and short-term suspensions were laid;
• 232 charges and short-term suspensions were laid for every 100,000 Canadians; and an
• Average of 238 charges and short-term suspensions were laid, daily.
Stay safe this season:
• Never operate a car or any other vehicle while impaired;
• Never ride with a driver who is impaired;
• Call 911 to report suspected impaired drivers.

The holidays bring plenty of joy, but it can also be a stressful season for many. Focus on workplace wellness to help employees maintain healthy habits and mental health. Choose healthy options for holiday events and give gifts of wellness to employees this year i.e., onsite massages or stress management lunch and learns. Encourage employees to stay active by hosting onsite yoga classes. Support employee’s financial wellness with minimal budgets on events and partnering with local business for discounts and promotions. Be mindful of your decisions and the impacts it may have on your employees. Healthy & Happy New Year!

SRWC has been helping people get and stay sober for over 25 years. We are open-minded and non-judgmental of everyone’s recovery path. We offer group and individual counselling for anyone living with substance use, addiction, and other mental health issues. We also help family members affected by addiction. Our programs are available DAY and EVENING to fit your schedule. We have a diverse group of professional staff and volunteers. They love to provide personalized, ongoing, recovery support. If you want to regain control of your life, WE CAN HELP. We’re here to support you.

During this global pandemic, the need for mental health support has increased fourfold. As an employee, the best thing you can do for your mental health is to be vocal. If you are struggling, speak up or use the Wellness Together Canada free resources. Waiting causes longer term damage impacting productivity and quality of life. If you are an employer, ask how you can support your team every day. Then, get a Mental Health First Aid kit and put it somewhere visible to demonstrate mental health is just as important as physical health. Our mental health kits contain motivational cards, mindfulness colouring and tools, stress balls, breathing exercises, a guide to psychological first aid, resilience tips, and much more.

You may be stressed if you experience the following symptoms frequently: Weight loss, sleep disturbances, irritability, anxiety or panic attacks, frustration, low self-esteem, negative self-talk, under-eating, or over-eating. Here are 6 stress-management tips. 1. Identify your stress triggers. 2. Stay away from things and people that trigger your stress. 3. Enjoy two hours of “me time” per day. 4. Meditate and practice deep breathing. 5. Split your “to-do” list with your family. 6. Create a magic “mantra” for yourself. For example, “I am the boss of my life.” Keep repeating it to yourself during stress and continue this exercise until the mantra becomes a part of your reality.

Small business owners face unique pressures which have increased significantly throughout the pandemic. Did you know that up to 62% of business owners feel depressed at least weekly and around 46% say their mental health issues can interfere with their performance at work? (BDC Going It Alone Survey). It is so important to take some time for self-care and for the care of your employees. There are many resources available in Canada and it starts with simply having the courage to seek help and having conversations with each other about Mental Health.