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Message from CEO/COO
PCHS will be organizing one day Addictions/Mental Health training.
Date: June 19, 2015
Time: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Venue: 201- 50 Sunny Meadow Blvd., Brampton, ON,
Cost: $75.00 per person. Includes handouts and lunch
Facilitator: Baldev Mutta, CEO, PCHS
Goals and Objectives:
1. Develop a holistic understanding of mental health/addictions and its various determinants in relation to social,
economic, cultural, environmental and spiritual factors.
2. Gain practical knowledge of the anti-racism/anti-oppression framework and cultural competency for mental
health/addiction service delivery.
3. Enhance the capacities of your organization to develop a recovery-oriented holistic model of care within an
anti-racism/anti-oppression framework
Please save this date as the registration flyer will be coming out soon.
Contact Gagan: gagan@pchs4u.com
Limited Seats: So reserve yours today
First come first serve basis.
Hope to see you all there!
-Baldev Mutta CEO PCHS
Mental Health and Better Families Program
Teens and Technology
Impacts of over-usage of Technology-On Brain:
At a very fundamental level, we expect less of our brains now. Because we have so much at our fingertips, we
don’t ask our brains to remember the same things, which is what makes our brains robust — asking them to
know things and asking them to network. Personally — though there’s no proof of this —the neurological
component of this is that the regions of the brain that we don’t use or that we don’t stimulate end up getting
pruned off. And so if we aren’t asking the memorizing portions of our brains to work, those portions will
gradually lose their function.
Common modes of Technology:
 TV, DVD Players/Blue Ray Player
 Music player, Cell Phones
 Video games, Computer/ Internet
Impact of over-usage of Technology- On Relationships:
 Decreased family talk time
 Lack of accountability
 Lack of intimacy
Physical Impacts of over-usage of Technology:
Computer vision syndrome (CVS):
 Dry, itchy, red or burning eyes
 Blurred vision at near distance (or far distance after long periods of near work)
 Double vision, Eye strain, Headaches
 Neck, shoulder or back pain
Some symptoms related to hearing:
 Ringing, roaring, hissing or buzzing in the ear
 Difficulty understanding speech in noisy places or places with poor acoustics
 Muffled sounds and a feeling that your ear is plugged
 Listening to the TV or radio at a higher volume than in the past
Benefits of the technology:
 Rich source of information
 Improves efficiency and productivity
 Mode of entertainment
 Can be used as relationship-building tool- if used in moderation
 Information sharing tool
Some precautions while using technology:
 Set time limits
 Know the purpose
 Set the example
 Find alternatives where applicable
References:
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Biola University. How is technology shaping generation Y? Retrieved from http://magazine.biola.edu/article/10-fall/how-is-technology-shapinggeneration-y/
Pew research centre. Teens and technology 2013. Retrieved from
http://www.pewinternet.org/~/media//Files/Reports/2013/PIP_TeensandTechnology2013.pdf
-Anu MENTAL HEALTH CASE MANAGER
13th Annual International Women’s Day Gala
Punjabi Community Health Services (PCHS) hosted its 13 th Annual International Women’s Day on Friday,
March 27st, 2015. It was a very special evening at the Apollo Convention Centre located at 6591 Innovator
Drive, Mississauga, Ontario. This was PCHS’ Signature Event to raise funds for the Youth Program, which
provides services to the South Asian youth and families in a culturally appropriate manner. On March 27,
PCHS recognized women in South Asian community with Women in Action awards. This year PCHS
recognized three extraordinary women who have left a mark in their own unique manner on their
communities.
Award Winners
Kudrat Bhatia
Kudrat Tia Bhatia is a 23 year old aspiring actress and entrepreneur. Kudrat was adopted when she was 8
months old by Navdeep Singh Bhatia and Arvinder Kaur Bhatia. Kudrat arrived in Canada in 1992. Kudrat
has appeared in the feature film Dr. Cabbie and graduated from Ryerson University with a degree in
Hospitality and Tourism.
Kudrat also helps to manage the charitable branch of Nav Bhatia Entertainment. Kudrat has taken part in
Smile Canada events to help raise awareness regarding issues surrounding children with disabilities and
critical illness. She has been helping to organize the Vaiskahi Day basketball game at the ACC for the last
few years. By being a part of the Nav Bhatia Entertainment group she has helped to raise awareness and
celebrate Vaisakhi. Kudrat was also part of the team organized under JUSTDOINGIT to paint The Gatehouse
which is a safe house for sexually abused women victims/survivors.
Rama Kapur
Rama arrived in Canada in 1974, with two young children. She was a teacher in India. Finding work in a new
country posed many challenges, and as with most immigrants, she soon found work in a factory. Life as a new
immigrant was a struggle at the best of times, but Rama kept her positive spirit up and worked diligently as
she integrated herself with her new surroundings and the new way of life.
It wasn’t until the late 1980’s that Rama decided to upgrade her skills and enrolled in some further education
courses. She started taking computer courses, and at the same time, she became a Board member with a local
Housing Corporation, in which she was instrumental in helping members of the South Asian population to
obtain low income housing. Rama enjoyed this work and decided to take on courses related to Social Work,
as she found this work not only interesting, but also very satisfying. For the last 13 years, Rama maintained a
significant role in helping abused women to gain safe refuge and become financially independent. Rama’s
contributions within the community are immeasurable, but her satisfaction for having served so many
individuals is far beyond words.
Navjot Gurm
Navjot works for Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) survivors for the past ten years. In her role as a Day Program
Group Leader she helps ABI survivors to integrate into the community and advocates social engagement. She
hopes to erase the stigma attached to those impacted by ABI and mental health, empower and promote their
abilities in order to bring equality to the forgotten individuals of our society.
Navjot migrated to Canada at the age of 11 years and completed her education from Mohawk College with a
Diploma in Social Work and is registered with the Ontario College of Social Service Work and Social
Workers. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from York University. Navjot is an Artist
and runs a group called “Artistically Yours” that explores emotions and expression through color for ABI
patients.
The event was co-hosted by Amber Kanwar, Anchor and Reporter at Business News Network and Jake
Dheer, Senior Operations Manager at Rogers TV. Keynote speaker, Jasmeet Sidhu shared her story having
found global success in music, film-making and journalism. At the age of 21, Jasmeet was honoured as one of
Canada’s 100 Most Powerful Women and is a recipient of Canada’s Top 20 Under 20.
There was lots of great Indian food and entertainment for everyone to enjoy. Local business leaders were in
attendance as well as politicians and dignitaries.
A very special thanks to everyone for making this event a great success!
Health Corner
Green Exercise (By: Pat Farrell)
I’ve just returned from my “green walk” and it feels great!
Walking outside in nature is a good way to calm and declutter your mind and let your thoughts roam freely.
Read the book by Ann Pietrangelo called, “Walking Your Way to a Healthier Mind, Body and Soul”.
A study done by the University of Essex (U.K.), as reported by the “Environmental Science & Technology
Journal, says “there is evidence to support the claim that green exercises—that is physical exercise in the
presence of nature—leads to positive short and long-term health outcomes.”
The experiment noted changes in self-esteem especially. Folks dealing with mental health challenges, as a
group, had one of the highest self-esteem improvements with regard to mood. Even as little as five minutes at
a time, of moving outside remarkably improves both mood and self-esteem. Water environment generates the
greatest effects, although every green environment improved both mood and self-esteem.
What can you do to do green exercise?
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Walk to get your mail if it’s not delivered to your door;
Walk around the block in the early morning when the sunlight is the brightest;
Take a stroll around the neighbourhood after work or in the evening;
Borrow a dog and get a two-for-one benefit;
Find a walking trail along the water and feel refreshed and calmed;
Make use of your lunch hour and wander anywhere outside instead of staying inside;
Pretend you’re a tourist and do a walking tour of your town as a new perspective;
Visit a park and hug some big trees;
Join a hiking or walking club if you need incentive.
Start your own group with one or two others for further motivation.
Mother Nature really worked things out quite well! Go try some Green Exercise today. Your
body, mind and soul will thank you!
Malton Community Building Project 2010-2015
A Project, a Journey, a Malton Legacy!!!
Malton Community Building Project (MCBP) was funded by Ontario Trillium Foundation. On November 1,
2009, the Malton Community Building Project – Phase II was submitted to the Ontario Trillium Foundation
for 5 years (2010 – 2015) with the aim to promote greater civic engagement and community development in
Malton by empowering adult and youth leadership in the South Asian Community with the aim of developing
and strengthening new and existing, formal and informal community networks. South Asian Community
means people from India, Pakistan, Srilanka, Bangla Desh, and people from South Asian Diaspora. Punjabi
Community Health Services was the financial lead of this project. The project had a collective vision:
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To engage youth and adults in developing leadership capabilities for civic engagement
To help link parents and youth with appropriate services and programs
To build/support formal and informal community networks
To develop cohesion between all communities in Malton for an inclusive and engaged community
On March 31st. 2015 the project came to an end with a community celebration. The project has surpassed
everyone’s expectations in terms of the level of impact and influence on the community of Malton. The
residents had been engaged and empowered to take on leadership roles whether its civic engagement
sessions like Let’s Talk, community engagement at Annual Tree Planting or Meet your Neighbors Day,
Parenting sessions, and youth leadership programs.
You can see the highlights of the evening Through Uzma’s Lens
-Uzma Irfan