Mental Health Matters: Hate speech and social media
By contributor Zoe Lauckner While social media has facilitated our generation’s communication and connectedness unlike any other, it has also created a platform for people to spread maliciousness, prejudice, stigmatization, racism, sexism, and a plethora of other forms of hate speech. Mob mentalities are present both in the physical and online world. Cyber bullying has … Continued
Mental Health Matters: The S word
By contributor Zoe Lauckner Trigger warning. As you may be able to tell by the title of this article, I’m going to be discussing the S word—suicide—in all of its misconceptions and statistical truths. That being said, do what you gotta do—put this paper down and walk away, take a deep breath, and get grounded, or batten … Continued
Mental Health Matters: Culture-specific mental disorders
By contributor Zoe Lauckner Have you ever been out at sea alone for too long, seal hunting, and experienced intense panic-like symptoms and fear of drowning? Ever felt like your reproductive organs are disappearing inside your own body? In western society, we would likely categorize these behaviours to fit using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual … Continued
Mental Health Matters: Q and A with Island Health on Fentanyl
This is the latest in a contributor column by Zoe Lauckner. Check back next issue for the latest in mental health issues. On January 8, students at VIU received an email from the school advising them of a deadly overdose alert. The lethal drug, fentanyl, which is 80 to 100 times more potent than morphine, has … Continued
Mental Health Matters: Self-care reminder
By contributor Zoe Lauckner The holidays have ended and it’s back to school for the spring semester. For some, this season is relaxing and uplifting, but for others, Christmas is a time of financial hardship and straining family dynamic—or is it just me? Regardless of the quality of your holiday season, the beginning of term is … Continued
Mental Health Matters: Stigma
This is the latest in a contributor column by Zoe Lauckner. Check back next issue for the latest in mental health issues. According to the Mental Health Commission of Canada, 20 per cent of the country’s population live with a mental illness (that’s close to seven million people, or one in five). As we can see … Continued
Mental Health Matters: Finding the right counsellor
This is the fourth in a contributor column by Zoe Lauckner. Check back next issue for the latest in mental health issues. Seeking counselling services is a big deal—it takes strength, determination, and a willingness to be vulnerable and open about your life. It means you’re experiencing some struggle that you recognize you need support for. … Continued
Mental Health Matters: Self-Care
This is the second in a contributor column by Zoe Lauckner. Check back next issue for the latest in Mental Health issues. Here we are—it’s the fifth week of the term, papers are due and mid terms are happening. Feeling overwhelmed yet? You’re not alone. Admittedly, self-care is one of my least developed qualities, and is … Continued
MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS: Back to school
This is the first in a contributor column by Zoe Lauckner. Check back next issue for the latest in Mental Health issues. It’s that time of year again—students new and experienced come together on campus with the goal of learning in mind. Though exciting times for many, university is commonly the most stressful time students have … Continued