GHS May 2016 NEWSLETTER - Gitxsan Health Society

Gitxsan Health Society
May 2016 Newsletter
Inside this issue
Welcome to Spring!
Hazelton’s Wellness Task Force P.2
Immunization Clinic Info P.3
Healing Touch; AA meetings P.4
Mental Health Program P.5
Patient Travel Program P. 6
Patient Travel Program P. 7
PCAP/MCH & Others’ events p. 8
Fentanyl Alert Information p. 9
FAST Information p.10
Benefits of Gardening p. 11
Upcoming : IndigenEYEZ p.12
It’s so great to see so many out walking, running, biking,
enjoying the views at the river, and sitting outside enjoying
our beautiful scenery.
There are so many benefits to increasing blood circulation.
We need our blood to go everywhere in our bodies—from the
top of our brains to the tips of our toes. Our organs work better when we have blood pumping everywhere.
It also helps our ability to think and remember things.
We congratulate you all for taking part in sports, stretching,
and doing activities to help you feel good.
We hope you all have a great spring—take care!
** FYI: Reminder **:
Kispiox & Sik E Dakh
Health Centres are
closed May 23rd 2016,
Monday for Victoria
stat. holiday
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Gitxsan Health Society
A healthy unified Gitxsan nation … while walking on the breathe of our Grandfathers and Grandmothers
Behind the Scenes
Hogim Dii Dilts Program—Living with Diabetes
The Hazelton’s Wellness Task Force has been working hard since 2008. It was previously the Suicide Task Force—renamed to reflect the goals of our communities—
Wellness for all.
Our accomplishments:
-17 partners who our Coordinator keeps in contact with to share information, build
continued collaboration, increase activities and events in our communities, address
arising mental health issues, bettering services we provide, celebrating best practices, building awareness of all the hard work going on in the area, and keep moving
forward in bridging the gaps in mental health service delivery.
-apply for funding together for programs that address needs in our community. For
example, we currently have a K’eom Good’m Gyet Program (‘Be a good man with a
kind heart’). This program helped host JR LaRose, football player/motivational
speaker come and share his learning from life with community members. Upcoming
will be a poster project focused on men and their important roles to the younger men
and youth in our area. There will also be a men’s camp happening in the autumn. If
you are interested in more info. Contact: menscampaigncoord@gitxsan.net.
-Upcoming: See the “IndigenEYEZ Essentials workshop on the last page of this
newsletter. This workshop is happening through the Wellness Task Force, The Hazelton LAT team and Gitsegukla Health working together. Together we can make
more happen! This is just one example of how our organizations work together.
All of the projects happen because of our hard-working managers, health directors ,
& frontline workers —thank you to all of our partners!
Contact for more info. Or to get involved:
Melanie Angus, Wellness Task Force Coordinator
Phone: 778—202-1817
Email: taskforcecoord@gitxsan.net
Wellness (def’n):
The quality or state of being in
good health especially as an actively sought goal.
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Gitxsan Health Society
A healthy unified Gitxsan nation … while walking on the breathe of our Grandfathers and Grandmothers
,
GHS IMMUNIZATION WALK –IN CLINICS
Open to adults, children & infants. Protect your child from many childhood diseases
by having them immunized on time. Vaccines trigger your child’s own immune system to make antibodies to fight diseases. For immunizations to work it is important
for your child to have the immunizations on time.
Immunization Schedule for infants/children/adolescents:
2 months
. 4 months
6 months
. 12 months
18 months
. 4 – 6 years
Grade 9
Please make sure your child is up to date on all vaccines/immunizations. For
information, please call your Community Health Nurse in your community.
Kispiox
TIME: 10:30 a.m. – 3:30
p.m.
PLACE: Kispiox Health
Centre
Sik-e-dakh
Phone our Health
Centres for more
Information
TIME: 10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
PLACE: Sik-e-dakh Health
Centre
Every Thursday
Every Thursday
We are on the web!
Check out www.gitxsanhealth.com.
Or
Gitxsan Health Society Facebook page.
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Gitxsan Health Society
A healthy unified Gitxsan nation … while walking on the breathe of our Grandfathers and Grandmothers
IRS Resolution Health Support Program
Healing Touch Schedule
May 17th: Rhoda Wilson at Kispiox Health Centre
May 20th: Kathy Clay at Kispiox Health Centre
May 23rd: Kathy Clay at Sik E Dakh Health Centre
May 30th: Kathy Clay at Gitanmaax Health Centre
More dates available ~ phone to find out.
Not everyone can make it out of their homes ~ phone to see what can be arranged.
To Book Your Appointment:
Please Call: 250-842-6876
Donalee Sebastian (ext. 23)
Pamela Torres (ext. 27)
“I feel like a weight has been lifted...I feel more aware of what’s happening
with me.”
“Yes! I positively know that traditional healing is needed. Energy release of
letting go!”
AA Meetings:
Monday’s 7:00pm @ Kispiox Health Centre
Thursday’s 7:30pm @ Gitsegukla Health Centre
Contact Arnold Jackson, Healthy Communities Facilitator for more info.
Ph.: 250-842-5165 hcfacilitator@gitxsan.net Office at Kispiox Health Centre
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Gitxsan Health Society
A healthy unified Gitxsan nation … while walking on the breathe of our Grandfathers and Grandmothers
Mental Health Program
We are very pleased to offer CONFIDENTIAL Counseling services to members from Kispiox and
Sik-e-dakh If you would like to see one of our Mental Health Counsellors, please call either:
David Hockin
Sandra Conlon
Sik-e-dakh Health Centre at 250 842-6876
Mondays, Tuesdays & Wednesdays
Kispiox Health Centre at 250 842-6236
Wednesdays—Fridays
Other counselling options in Hazelton area:
 Northern Health: Mental Health & Addictions at 250-842-5144
 Child & Youth Mental Health at 250-842-7624
 Students of Hazelton Secondary School can access the Counsellor on staff.
(Currently Stacey)
For after hours, if you are feeling overwhelmed, depressed, confused, suicidal or just
need someone to listen please call:






Wrinch Memorial Hospital 842-5211 or 911
CRISIS LINE 1 888 562-1214. It is available 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. It
is confidential and they do not have call display.
YOUTH SUPPORT LINE at 1 888 564-8336 (teen) that operates 4 p.m. to 11
p.m., 7 days a week, after hours calls are directly forwarded to the 24 hour line.
There is a YOUTH CHAT WEBSITE for youth in crisis or who may need information or referrals. The website has the same hours as the youth line.
Check out the website www.northernyouthonline.ca
For SUICIDAL
CRISIS, call 1800 SUICIDE
Kuu-us Crisis Line 1-800-KUU-US17
(1-800-588-8717)
If you know someone is having a difficult time
dealing with a divorce, break-up, or grieving the loss
of a loved one, please reach out to him/her. Let them
know we have Counsellors readily available if needed.
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Gitxsan Health Society
A healthy unified Gitxsan nation … while walking on the breathe of our Grandfathers and Grandmothers
Patient Transportation Program
Clients must be
re-
Gitxsan Health Society provides patient travel assistance to
Gitanmaax, Kispiox and Sik-e-dakh (Glen Vowell) Band members who live within the catchment area between Houston
and Terrace, including Kitimat, Gitlaxt'aamiks (New Aiyansh),
Laxgalts'ap (Greenville) , Gingolx (Kincolith) and Gitwinksihlkw
(Canyon City).
ferred to a Specialist or
Medical transportation benefits are not provided when a client is eligible for benefits under any other publicly funded
health or social program, such as Insurance Corporation of
B.C. (ICBC) or Workers Compensation Board (WCB), the alternate coverage must be used first.
Gitanmaax Health
All Patient Travel medical referrals, TAP forms, confirmation
forms, etc., can be dropped off at either the Gitanmaax Health
Centre, Kispiox Health Centre or Sik-e-dakh Health Centre with
the Receptionist or faxed to Kispiox Health Centre at 250 8425587.
For further information, please call the Patient
Transportation Dept at:
health facility; you cannot self-refer.
Drop off
your completed referral
form at either the Kispiox
Health Centre,
Centre or Sik-e-dakh
Health Centre well before
your scheduled appointment so your travel
arrangements can be
made in a timely manner.
Clients must provide
confirmation of attendance from the health provider/health facility.
Please have the Special-
Kispiox Health Centre
ist’s office or health facility
Tel: 250 842-6236, 250 842-5165 or 1800 663 9935
stamp your confirmation
Fax: 250 842-5587
form that is provided in
Weekend Emergency Contact: Cell: 250 842-8629 If you do
not receive an answer, please be sure to leave a message and
we will get back to you as soon as possible. Thank you.
your travel package and
return it to the GHS Patient Travel Office. Thank
you.
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Gitxsan Health Society
A healthy unified Gitxsan nation … while walking on the breathe of our Grandfathers and Grandmothers
Patient Transportation (Cont’d): Client Responsibility
Clients who access medical transportation through Non-Insured Health Benefits, either at the
Community Level or the NIHB Regional Office, are responsible to:

Give at least 5 days notice (or as per the community’s policy) prior to leaving the community. Upon receipt of the notice, the proper transportation arrangements can be made.
NOTE: Clients who do not provide sufficient notice may be required to reschedule their appointment or pay for the travel and get reimbursement.

Obtain all necessary paperwork for their trip prior to leaving the community: i.e. referral
from GP, confirmations of appointment with specialist.

Get prior approval for all non-emergency trips. The only exception is in the case of a medical emergency.

Attend their medical appointment as schedule. Clients who do not attend medical appointments may be required to pay back any benefits they have received and/or pay for their
travel cost on subsequent medical travel

Get a signed confirmation of attendance from the health professional and return it to the
Transportation Coordinator after the medical appointment.

Protect all of the original warrants issued to them for their medical trip. Warrants will not
be reissued of lost or stolen.

Give notification when cancelling an appointment prior to the date of the appointment; including 24 hours notice to cancel any hotel arrangements.

Retain and submit all necessary receipts required.

Not damage property or abuse accommodation arrangements, such as excessive noise.

Not become verbally abusive or threatening to the patient travel clerk or coordinator.
Clients may be required to pay for their own travel arrangements and submit a client reimbursement form with the appropriate documentation or may have charges deducted off their
next travel arrangements; in such cases as:
a)Client is verbally or physically abusive b) Client fails to provide the required medical documentation (referral or confirmation of attendance) or receipts c) Client is no longer accepted in
commercial establishments or on commercial transportation because of inappropriate behavior or intoxication d) Client does not make it to their scheduled appointment e) When FNIH or a
First nations organization is charged for damages; billed for keys; or no shows.
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Gitxsan Health Society
A healthy unified Gitxsan nation … while walking on the breathe of our Grandfathers and Grandmothers
Parent Child Assistance Program & Maternal Child Health
(PCAP/MCH) May activities are:
May 3rd PCAP Luncheon
May 4th GV Luncheon
May 5th Kispiox Luncheon
May 12th Program Swim trip
May 17th Meal in a Bag Program (BAH and PCAP/MCH)
May 20th Program Shopping trip
May 25th GV Picnic - Meals on Wheels (BAH and PCAP/MCH)
Thank you from, Tiffany, Valerie, Lorraine H and Lorraine M
Phone: 250-842-2319
News from Other Organizations:
(subject to change, contact them for up-to-date information)
_______________________________________________________________________
Reclaiming Connections Information Session: Learn about parent/caregiver program to see if there is community interest for training to come to our area
May 30th @ Elders Room, Gitanmaax Health Centre, 9am-4pm,
Contact: Rosalinda Bose, 250-847-7727 Rosalinda.Bose@gov.bc.ca
_______________________________________________________________________
Highway of Tears Initiative: Cleansing the Highway Walk
June 1-21, 2016, Prince Rupert to Prince George
Contact: Brenda Wilson, Coordinator Phone: 250-563-1281 Brenda@csfs.org
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Gitxsan Health Society
A healthy unified Gitxsan nation … while walking on the breathe of our Grandfathers and Grandmothers
Fentanyl Information: Naloxone Take Home Kits & Website of information
There has been lots of news about fentanyl overdoses all over the province.
Here is some information to learn more:
Public information website (listed on RCMP info.): www.knowyoursource.ca
There's tons of information about fentanyl, responding to an OD, and a drug
(Narcan or Naloxone) that is used for OD's specific to opioids (i.e. morphine,
methadone, heroin & fentanyl) or other drugs laced with fentanyl.
The closest place that has the “Naloxone Take Home Kit” program is the Smithers
health unit. They need the drug user (who can bring a family member) to come in
1-1 or it can be done in a group. They do a short counsel with the individual to see
what drugs are being used. Then there's a 15-20 minute training. The person than
gets a certificate which they bring to a Dr. who then prescribes the Naloxone
(“Narcan”) take home kit.
They are working at making this an over-the-counter prescription to eliminate the
need for a Dr. prescription but that will take some time.
Follow these tips to reduce the chance of experiencing an overdose:
 If an overdose (difficulty breathing or passes out) is suspected, call 911
immediately
 Don’t use alone
 Use a small amount
 Mixing substances, including alcohol, increases risk of overdose
 Make a plan/know how to respond in case of OD.
 Use where help is easily available (around other people)
 Be prepared to give breaths and/ or administer naloxone (Narcan) until help
arrives
Use caution even when handling fentanyl as it can be absorbed through the skin
or mucous membranes. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth if you get any on
your skin since even small quantities absorbed through skin & mucous membranes can cause serious adverse reactions, including death.
CONTACT INFO: SMITHERS HEALTH UNIT 250-847-6400
3793 Alfred Ave. (above court house)
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Gitxsan Health Society
FIRST NATIONS ACTION & SUPPORT TEAM
“Embracing life through suicide awareness and community empowerment”
What we can help with:
-follow-up to connect to counselling and supports in
community. We aim to not replace any services. We do
need a community invite to the community.
-debriefing after a traumatic event has occurred.
-training and workshops related to the prevention and
postvention of suicide.
FOR MORE INFO
Veronica Green,
Fast Program
Coordinator
BOX 223
HAZELTON, B.C.
V0J 1Y0
-point of contact for our team of volunteers
TEL (250) 842 – 2320
Services for: Kispiox, Sik E Dakh, Gitanmaax,
Gitsegukla, Gitwangak, Gitanyow, Hagwilget,
Moricetown, Kitsumkalum, Kitselas, Gitxaala &
Haisla.
FAX (250) 842 – 2326
Toll free:
1-800-663-9935
Our History:
In 2008, community workers and members gathered to
‘call for help’ and make a community plan for prevention,
intervention and postvention around suicide. Now, 8
years later, the focus has moved to prevention
(workshops, training in-community volunteers to assist
when attending a community gathering) and postvention (debriefing if it hasn’t happened yet, meeting with
family members).
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Gitxsan Health Society
A healthy unified Gitxsan nation … while walking on the breathe of our Grandfathers and Grandmothers
Healthy Lifestyle Tips of the Month
4 Health Benefits of Gardening
It’s that time of year! Sunshine is here and more people are getting outdoors to breathe
our fresh air, see the beautiful scenery and exercise.
Not too long ago, there were many gardens in our communities. Most homes had their
own gardens. When it was harvesting time, friends would gather at each home to help one
another gather their food from each garden. It was a fun time with good, hard work.
Whether your garden is a small planter, a backyard vegetable garden or a plot in a
community garden; that deep sense of well-being you get from an afternoon of weeding
and pruning has many benefits. Here are a few:
1. Stress relief and self-esteem
Gardening can improve mood, reduce stress levels, and cause higher self-esteem. It
feels amazing to nurture a plant from seed to fruit-bearing.
2. Heart health and reduced stroke risk
Achieve your 2.5 hours of moderate-intensity exercise each week. Gardening is a
rewarding motivation to make it happen. Regular gardening can cut stroke and heart
attack risk by up to 30% for those over 60.
Wear sunscreen, reduce time in direct sun around noon. Increase Vitamin D levels.
3. Hand strength and dexterity
As we age, we can keep our hand muscles strong. Warm-up your hands, position your
body comfortably and change tasks often to make sure to not strain yourself.
Using your non-dominant hand can help keep your brain functioning well also.
4. Reduced depression and increased positive mental health
The benefits appear to spring from a combination of physical activity, awareness of
natural surroundings, cognitive stimulation and the satisfaction of the work. Elevated
body temperature can have benefits connected to increased feelings of well-being.
Don’t forget to drink plenty of water and know your limits.
__________________________________________________________________________
Where can you learn how to garden?
-Senden Agricultural Centre (yellow house across the arena)
-The Learning Shop-Old Hazelton
-Drop in, have a tour, learn about their programs!
-Ask a fellow community member who gardens ~ people are proud of their work
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Gitxsan Health Society
Save the Date: June 1-2, 2016
IndigenEYEZ Essentials: Working from Strengths
This 2-day experiential workshop is all about increasing your
GHS BOARD MEMBERS
Gitanmaax Reps.
Valerie Simms Muldoe
Dorothy Smith-Lattie
Kispiox Reps.
skills as a facilitator. Learn important tools for strength-based
George Muldoe
communication. Discover how to support social and emotional
Darlene Clayton
learning. Help groups come alive and develop a high level of
Sik-e-dakh Reps.
participation. Create an atmosphere where participants take
Barbara Huson
creative risks and speak from the heart.
Perry Sampare
Wednesday, June 1, 8:30 am - 4:30pm &
Thursday, June 2, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Off Reserve Reps.
John Olson
Bev Anderson
Gitsegukla, BC
————————————
This training was developed for teachers, counsellors, health
Kispiox Health Centre &
GHS Administration
promotion specialists, social service providers, and youth
workers and is aimed at enhancing the facilitation skills
of people who lead workshops or meetings with youth and
adults.
Cost: By donation (suggested donation minimum $35)
Registration includes: materials. Travel to & from responsibility of
participants
To register, please contact Melanie Angus at
taskforcecoord@gitxsan.net / Fax: 250-842-2179
Phone: 778-202-1817
(250) 842-5165 or
250 842-6236
1-800-663-9935
Patient Transportation
(Emergency Cell)
weekends only
250 842-8629
Sik-e-dakh Health
Centre
(250) 842-6876
PCAP/MCH Office
(250) 842-2319
FAST & IRS Office
(250) 842-2320
This newsletter is proudly produced by Gitxsan Health Society
@Gitxsan Health Society.
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