Los Angeles, CA, January 27, 2021 — Is there a science to survival, or are some people simply born with elastic emotional exoskeletons that bounce back readily following even the most traumatic of experiences?
To uncover the answer, world-renown expert on disasters and trauma Dr. Randall Bell undertook unprecedented research, juxtaposing outcomes of scientific studies with stories of real people who have not just survived, but have used their trauma as their fuel to thrive to uncover common denominators. He shares his remarkable insights in his new book, Post-Traumatic Thriving: The Art, Science, & Stories of Resilience.
Dr. Bell sits down with survivors of the Holocaust; murder-victim’s families; crime victims; suicide survivors; and those who’ve experienced homelessness, disasters, addictions, depression, death, divorce, disabilities, defeats and disease to explore the rare mindset of the post-traumatic thriver.
He shares with readers stories of remarkable resilience, including the following:
• A deaf man with a glass eye invented the electric guitar and became a household name, remarkably wealthy and most importantly, happy.
• A convicted murderer took responsibility for the damage he caused, graduated with honors from college, became a minister and turned around the hearts of the most hardened criminals.
• A girl born with cerebral palsy landed the world’s first starring role on national television and spoke at the White House three times.
• A woman hid in a basement for years and lost her entire family in the Holocaust. She eventually found true love and paints stunning artwork.
• The sister of a murder victim helped millions of women in toxic domestic relationships.
• A woman’s car crash resulted in an addiction to prescription drugs, a divorce, a loss of her children and a cot in a homeless shelter. She has rebuilt it all back and more.
• A man set to go to the Olympics had his hopes dashed by Jimmy Carter and went on to build a worldwide business empire.
Ultimately, Dr. Bell documents the science of happiness, as well as the individual styles and common thread that all post-traumatic thrivers have to emerge with a fulfilling life. When trauma hits, your most significant decision will be to dive, survive or thrive. If you choose to thrive, this book is for you.
As an economist, Dr. Randall Bell has consulted on more disasters on earth than anyone in history and is widely considered the world’s top authority in the field of post-traumatic thriving. His clients include the Federal Government, State Governments, International Tribunals, major corporations and homeowners. Dr. Bell believes that “the problem is not the problem — the problem is how we react to the problem.”
Often called the “Master of Disaster,” Dr. Bell is squarely focused on authentic recovery and resilience. His research has been profiled on major television shows and featured in numerous magazines and the international media. More information can be found at www.posttraumaticthriving.com.
Post-Traumatic Thriving: The Art, Science, & Stories of Resilience
Game-changing Avulux® migraine glasses debut in Canada, offering new and highly effective non-pharmaceutical treatment for migraine symptoms
Avulux, a Health Canada Class I Medical Device, is clinically proven to deliver relief from migraines triggered or worsened by light
MONTREAL, Jan. 27, 2021 /CNW Telbec/ - For the millions of Canadians who suffer from migraine symptoms, relief is on the way. Today marks the launch of Avulux® migraine glasses in Canada.
Certified by Health Canada as a Class I Medical Device, Avulux is a durable and stylish set of glasses that are designed to absorb the harmful wavelengths of light that cause and worsen migraine symptoms. Backed by independent clinical studies, Avulux glasses were developed over eight years by a research team in conjunction with Canadian physician and McGill University alumnus Dr. Charles Posternack.
The glasses use a patented precision-tint technology that filters as much as 97 per cent of the most painful light in the blue, amber and red light spectrum without distorting the wearer's colour perception. This sets Avulux apart from other types of light-blocking glasses, most of which only block blue light.
"Light is a key migraine trigger, but many people don't realize that blue light is not the only culprit," said Dr. Posternack. "Red and amber light can be just as painful for migraine sufferers. Exposure to these light waves through excessive screen usage or sunlight is like adding rocket fuel to a fire for someone experiencing migraine. Avulux is the only device on the market designed to absorb those painful light waves and prevent a migraine attack from starting or getting worse."
Avulux also offers a frame that can accommodate wearers' vision prescriptions. These frames come with a titanium clip-on containing Avulux migraine lenses that can be worn continuously or at the onset of any migraine symptoms.
Proven prevention and treatment of migraine symptoms
Migraine is a neurological condition that can cause debilitating headaches, nausea, vomiting, brain fog, dizziness, and sensitivity to light, sound and smell. Often sufferers are forced to retreat to a dark, isolated room until their migraine symptoms pass. However, findings from three independent clinical studies showed that more than 90 per cent of Avulux wearers were able to continue with their daily activities in the face of migraine.
In addition, 74 per cent of Avulux wearers were able to reduce or eliminate their usage of migraine medication to manage their symptoms. Thirty-eight percent experienced a complete disappearance of their headaches if they wore the Avulux glasses at the earliest onset of a migraine symptom or migraine aura.
Dr. Jerry Nolfi, MBA, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Toronto Eyecare, has introduced Avulux to his practice. "I was most intrigued by the robust science and the potential clinical benefit of Avulux lenses on my migraine-suffering patient population. Avulux lenses may prove to be a very useful clinical tool in relieving migraine headache-related discomfort," he said.
The only lens of its kind, Avulux can be used alone or paired with other forms of migraine treatment as a complementary device.
"Avulux is unique because it involves zero sacrifices," said Dr. Posternack. "There are no side effects, no colour distortion, no additional costs, no time away from the people and activities you love. There is not even a sacrifice in fashion, because the glasses look great and come in a selection of styles. This makes it easy to incorporate Avulux glasses into your roster of treatments to help prevent, or even eradicate, migraine attacks."
Pricing and availability
Avulux is available in Canada in seven different styles, and can be purchased at www.avulux.ca. Pricing ranges from $399.99 for non-prescription glasses to $439.99 for frames that can be fitted with a vision prescription. Avulux offers free shipping and a 60-day money-back guarantee.
SOURCE Avulux
Sun Life partners with FitSpirit and 21.02 High Performance Hockey Center Les Canadiennes
One more step to help girls in Quebec get active and take charge of their health
MONTREAL, Jan. 27, 2021 /CNW/ - Encouraging girls and young women to be physically active is known to support healthy development and boost self-esteem. However, the statistics are not reassuring — with nine out of ten teenage girls not meeting Canada's physical activity guidelines, there is an opportunity to help promote a healthy active lifestyle. Sun Life is pleased to announce new partnerships with FitSpirit and 21.02 High Performance Hockey Centre Les Canadiennes (Centre 21.02). They are aiming at helping young girls become more active and develop the next generation of female athletes.
These partnerships align with Sun Life's commitment to help Quebecers take charge of their health. FitSpirit's mission to get teenage girls active for life and Centre 21.02's programs fit perfectly with this goal. They also align with Sun Life's global commitment to support diabetes awareness, prevention, care and reseach. One in ten Quebecers[1] are living with diabetes, which is the fifth leading cause of premature death worldwide. Physical activity and healthy eating help prevent and control type 2 diabetes. "I'm proud of these new partnerships, which focus on concrete and practical health programs. When young girls see inspiring female role models from their own community come out of these programs, it makes a lasting impression and has positive health impacts," said Jacques Goulet, President of Sun Life Canada. "Helping people live healthier lives is central to our purpose. When we help young women get active and support the rising generation of female athletes, we know we're making a difference."
"I'm thrilled with this commitment from a partner such as Sun Life. This partnership will make it possible to hold an event this summer that brings mothers and daughters together for some physical activity. It also demonstrates Sun Life's commitment to making a real difference in the lives of teenage girls and reaching even more women," said Claudine Labelle, Founder and President of FitSpirit.
By partnering with a world-class high-performance hockey centre for elite female athletes in Montreal, Sun Life is helping support our local hockey hopefuls. "The Centre 21.02 is the missing link in the development of an elite hockey player. It is the first high performance Centre recognized by competent authorities such as Hockey Quebec, member of Hockey Canada. Welcoming Sun Life as one of the founding partners makes it possible to realize and bring to life this long thought-out project, but above all to establish a viable professional career and also to inspire a new generation of girls to play hockey. I will be forever grateful to you", Daniele Sauvageau, president and chief executive officer of the Centre 21.02.
Sun Life in the community At Sun Life, we are committed to building sustainable, healthier communities for life. Community wellness is an important part of our sustainability commitment and we believe that by actively supporting the communities in which we live and work, we can help build a positive environment for our Clients, employees, advisors and shareholders. Our philanthropic support focuses on health, with an emphasis on diabetes awareness, prevention, and care initiatives through our Team Up Against DiabetesTM platform; and mental health, supporting programs and organizations with a focus on building resilience and coping skills.
We also partner with sports properties in key markets to further our commitment to healthy and active living. Our employees and advisors take great pride in volunteering close to 12,000 hours each year and contribute to making life brighter for individuals and families across Canada. Learn more about Sun Life in the community.
About Fitspirit FitSpirit partners with schools to organize activities designed for girls to help them thrive and set them on the path to an active and healthy lifestyle. Backed by a community of inspiring and dedicated girls and women, FitSpirit transforms every activity into a memorable experience complete with friends, role models and fun. This winning combination has enabled FitSpirit to positively impact the lives of more than 200,000 girls aged 12 to 17 since it was founded in 2007. For more information, visit fitspirit.ca.
About the 21.02 High Performance Hockey Center Les Canadiennes On 21.02.02, Canada won the Olympic gold medal in women's hockey for the first time. For millions of girls and women, this was the start of a bigger dream. Founded in 2019 by Danièle Sauvageau, the Centre 21.02 brings together the past and the future and is the only high performance hockey centre recognized by the competent bodies, namely Hockey Quebec, member of Hockey Canada. Based at the Verdun Auditorium in Montreal, the High Performance Hockey Centre is a key partner in the long-term athlete development path for elite players aspiring to play for their national team, and, possibly, the professional ranks.
Data Privacy Day: The Health Apps Holding The Most Data On You (& What To Do About It)
27 January 2021Hi Alicia,With Data Privacy Day tomorrow, Uswitch has revealed the top health apps that are collecting the most data on you, as well as steps from Mobiles Expert, Catherine Hiley, you can take to keep your data safe. MyFitnessPal was revealed to store the most data on users (20 out of 24 data points) including a users BMI, location, mental wellbeing and sleep habits. The top tips from mobiles expert, Catherine Hiley, at Uswitch.com include:Change the account settings in your apps to deny access to the most personal informationKeep your apps up to date and delete any you don’t useDo your research before installing an app to check for previous data breaches and if it’s safeBe wary of the data apps ask for - if it’s not relevant to the app, don’t allow it. If you’re interested in the study, please credit: https://www.uswitch.com/mobiles/health-app-index/ I’ve attached the release below for you, please let me know if this is of any interest to you and if you have any questions! Thanks, Sophie---These are the apps that collect the most data (and what you can do about it) Whenever we use apps on our phones, our data is up for grabs. Brands like Facebook run their whole business model around selling ads - and our personal data makes it easy for them to do that. And now thanks to Apple’s new privacy labels, we know exactly what data each app collects, from name, age and address, to much more private data such as your weight or sexual activity. As part of the new Health App Index, researchers at Uswitch have taken 15 health apps and discovered just how much information each app is squirrelling away, plus Catherine Hiley, mobiles expert at Uswitch.com, explains how to give your apps a privacy health check, without limiting your experience. So how do the most-searched health apps stack up when it comes to data collection? MyFitnessPal - 20 out of 24 data pointsMyFitnessPal tracks diet and exercise, gamifying the experience to motivate users to scan the barcodes of various food items into the app’s large pre-existing database. The app collects the most data out of the whole list, ranging from name and age, all the way through to more private information such as body mass index (BMI) and fitness level. How to manage your privacy settings on the app:Catherine says, “You can tweak the settings of your app to control what information you make public to your friends and what data you keep private. “You can also stop MyFitnessPal from sharing your location data by going to the right-hand corner of the app and selecting more > privacy centre > personalisation. “Unfortunately, we couldn’t find a setting to opt-out of third-party data sharing”. Fitbit - 18 out of 22 data pointsFitbit dominates the fitness app market with almost 60% of the share of all users who use fitness-tracking apps. It also dominates the list of companies who collect personal data from their users, collecting 18 out of 22 items of data which include social media information and female health. How to manage your privacy settings on the app:“During the setup process, you can deny access to most personal information by changing your account settings in the app. “Looking at the privacy policy in more detail, we found that Fitbit aggregates and anonymises data to share with marketing partners. And it doesn’t look like there’s a way to opt-out of this.” Strava - 17 out of 22 data pointsStrava has almost 50 million users across the globe and has a total of 3 billion activity uploads, meaning they hold a lot of data about each of their users. It’s one of the most popular apps on the market and collects a whole range of data including location and email address. Although users own the rights to all of their workouts, posts and routes, Strava's privacy policy states that it reserves the right to use it which has confused some users in the past. How to manage your privacy settings on the app:“When you download the app and sign up, you give Strava automatic access to all of your data, including the public mapping feature. This element could reveal where you live or exercise, so be sure to manually change the settings before use,” says Catherine.“The app guides users through this and we found it very easy to do, so all our information remained private.” Flo - 15 out of 22 data pointsFertility app Flo is used by more than 30 million people around the world to monitor their feminine health, but recently the app has been in the news regarding privacy concerns. Out of all the period tracking apps in the study, Flo collects the most data with 15 out of 22 data points which include mental wellbeing and sexual activity. How to manage your privacy settings on the app:“There are some very simple settings within the privacy section of the app that you can toggle on or off depending on your preference. But it’s worth noting that these need to be turned on or off manually once you have signed up for an account with Flo. “Interestingly, Flo has a dedicated Data Protection Officer who you can contact about any data privacy concerns,” Catherine points out. Headspace - 14 out of 22 data pointsHeadspace was one of the first mindfulness and meditation apps on the market, reaching more than 62 million users across the globe. The app is packed full of audio meditation sessions that users can tap into, but it’s also collecting plenty of data, too. Of the mindfulness apps in the study, Headspace asks for the most personal user data with 14 out of 22 data points collected, including location and family/marital status. How to manage your privacy settings on the app:Catherine says, “Headspace says that they will use personal data to inform the way that the app interacts with you via email and in-app adverts. But it's pretty simple to opt-out using the in-app options. “But, as with most apps in the study, you need to remember to manually go through this process, as the default settings don’t protect your data.” Catherine Hiley, mobiles expert at Uswitch.com shares advice for mobile phone users looking to safeguard their personal information:“While we can’t be sure of the true intentions of each and every app, there are some steps users can take to better protect their personal data,” Catherine remarks.Do your research before downloading and installing an app“Before you install any app, check the reviews to find out what other users have said about it. If you’re not sure, don’t download and install.” Be wary before agreeing to permissions“If an app asks for permissions that it really shouldn’t need to function, then you should question the reason for it asking to collect that data. For example, why should Headspace or Flo need to know your location?” says Catherine.Keep your apps up to date and delete any that you don’t use“It’s likely that your phone has far too many apps. Deleting the ones you don’t use will help your battery life and protect you from any potential privacy problems. “It might be tempting to avoid updating your apps, but it’s key to ensuring that your data and personal information is secure.”Keep on top of your mobile app permissionsCatherine says, “Did you know that many apps can still function without all of the permissions they might ask you to agree to? Why not experiment with different combinations of permissions to see if you can safeguard your personal information.” Find out how you could save nearly £1,000 a year with Uswitch here
‘Check Yourself’ a first-of-its-kind cannabis collaboration to support breast cancer awareness
How does candy combat cancer? Where do gummies support boobies? In California’s compliant cannabis industry, that’s where. This month, Kiva Confections announced it has launched a new Lost Farm Live Resin Passionfruit Gummy to support Keep A Breast, a nonprofit devoted to helping young people make monthly self-checks the norm. Airfield Supply Co., the largest single-site dispensary in California, has rallied five other cannabis retailers to sell the gummy across the state with an ultimate goal of raising $20,000.
Because It’s Personal
Airfield Supply Co. Chief Marketing Officer Chris Lane initially reached out to Kiva to support breast cancer awareness because it’s personal. His mother-in-law is fortunately a survivor and his wife is determined to be one, too.
Born with the genetic marker that indicates breast cancer, this 30-something mother of two has made the difficult choice to have a choice. She’ll undergo a radical double mastectomy in the coming year so that breast cancer won’t get to call the shots in her life. She will.
Lane says, “As someone whose immediate family has been marked by breast cancer, it’s important to me to underscore that breast cancer isn’t just an issue in October, when it is traditionally highlighted. Affecting men as well as women, breast cancer is a human issue that impacts us all every single day of the year. We’re excited to begin the New Year by setting a focus in 2021 around long-term personal wellness and shining a light on the importance of consistent self-care in preventing this disease while helping to raise funds for this truly inspiring nonprofit.”
Philanthropy + Cannabis
There are less than 700 legal cannabis dispensaries in California, a state that could ably support 5,000 such retail outlets. Because their numbers are so exclusive, dispensaries wield an unusual amount of influence on the industry. For a dispensary like Airfield to lead a charitable drive that does little to impact their bottom line speaks volumes to what is possible when philanthropy and cannabis come together. Never before have six disparate retailers combined their power to support a nonprofit.
“Creating a small-run, limited-edition edible is not something we take lightly at Kiva, where research and development can be time-consuming. The passion that Airfield has for this cause was simply contagious, and it quickly became clear that we had to be involved. Our team is incredibly proud of the Passionfruit gummy that resulted from this collaboration, but we are even more proud to support Keep A Breast’s important, life-saving mission,” says Adam Grablick, COO at KIVA Confections. In addition to the Lost Farm gummy development, Kiva has also committed to giving $10,000 to the nonprofit.
In addition to Airfield Supply Co. (San Jose), look for the Lost Farms Live Resin Passionfruit Gummy at other leading dispensaries throughout the state, including The Apothecarium (San Francisco), Jayden’s Journey (Modesto), King’s Crew (Long Beach), March and Ash (San Diego), Solful (Sebastopol), and Sweet Flower (Los Angeles). Additionally, consumers will have the opportunity to support the work of Keep A Breast through point-of-sale donations at Airfield and Sweet Flower’s registers or online at CheckYourself.funraise.org.
[Side bar]
Just the Facts
•. Forty percent of all breast cancers are first detected through a lump
• One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime
• Ninety percent of breast cancers occur in women with no family history
• The early detection survival rate over five years is 95%
• Ninety percent of all breast cancers may be caused by lifestyle and environmental factors
• Only 10,000 units of the Lost Farms Live Resin Passionfruit Gummy were produced
Ontario’s Russell Alexander Law Firm Hires New Lawyer Amid Expansion New associate joins legal team due to Coronavirus-related spike in cases
LINDSAY, Ontario — Russell Alexander Collaborative Family Lawyers today announced that it has hired Alex De Melo as an associate lawyer amid an expansion due to a coronavirus-related spike in cases.
“Family law can be one of the most personal and difficult areas of our profession, but Alex has shown that he can handle a wide range of cases,” said founder Russell Alexander. “We are excited to welcome him to the team.”
An experienced family lawyer, De Melo has worked as a legal counsel at Legal Aid Ontario, the Peel Children’s Aid Society and the Children’s Aid Society, handling difficult issues such as child abuse, spousal support and adoption since being called to the Ontario Bar in 2013.
After earning a degree from the University of Toronto, De Melo earned a law degree from the University of Ottawa in 2011, researching collaborative family law, family courts and children and the law, among other things.
He has also volunteered for organizations such as Big Brothers and Sisters, working with children in difficult situations.
“With courts strained by the coronavirus pandemic and families feeling the stress of the last year, taking a collaborative approach to family law is more important than ever,” added Alexander. “Alex’s background gives him unique insight into the struggles these families are going through.”
*** RussellAlexander Collaborative Family Lawyers Russell Alexander Collaborative Family Lawyers is committed to practicing exclusively in the area of family law in Ontario dealing with all aspects, including separation and divorce, child custody and access, spousal support, child support, and division of family property. A team of lawyers provide guidance from start to finish, helping clients identify and understand the legal issues as well as the options and opportunities available through the transition. The firm has offices in Lindsay, Whitby, Oshawa, Markham, Peterborough and Toronto, Ontario. For more information, visit: http://www.russellalexander.com
Youtheory® Health Supplement Brand Secures the Primary Sponsorship of Spire Motorsports driver, Corey LaJoie, for Daytona 500 and NASCAR Cup Series Race at Phoenix
Leading supplement brand takes top selling stress relief product to the track.
Irvine, Calif., January 26, 2021 – Youtheory®, the Southern California based supplement company, is proud to announce its partnership with driver Corey LaJoie and Spire Motorsports in the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series season. The partnership includes at least two races where the Youtheory® Ashwagandha (stress relief) product will be featured on the #7 race car at The Daytona 500 at Daytona International Raceway in Daytona Beach, Florida on February 14, 2021 and Phoenix Raceway in Avondale, Arizona on March 14, 2021.
"Corey LaJoie shares the same values as Youtheory and we’re proud to support him once again as he competes at the highest level of the sport," said Darren Rude, CEO of Youtheory. "As innovators in the health & wellness industry, Youtheory is excited to unveil the new Youtheory® Ashwagandha #7 car which will help educate NASCAR fans everywhere on this breakthrough product which is designed to ease stress, anxiety and provide clarity and mental focus.”
As a primary sponsor of Corey LaJoie, Youtheory's brand and ashwagandha product will be featured throughout the hood, upper rear quarter panels, deck lid, roof and TV panel. Additionally, Corey LaJoie's apparel and helmet will boast Youtheory's logo as well as the team’s pit wall banner utilized on pit lane. Youtheory Ashwagandha has been clinically proven to reduce stress and anxiety naturally, while also providing mental clarity and focus.
"It’s such a great honor to race for Youtheory! Darren and Patty, the founders, make you feel like you are part of the Youtheory family," added Corey LaJoie. “Promoting a healthy lifestyle is a big part of what I’m about and the Youtheory brand makes it easy with their line of top selling products, including Collagen, Turmeric and now Ashwagandha.”
About Youtheory®
Youtheory® is a Southern California based lifestyle brand on a mission to inspire wellness in all. Our goal is to develop pure, safe, and innovative supplements that improve one's health, beauty and overall well-being. We believe that our products are only as good as our ingredients, so we travel the world to source the highest quality raw materials from the places where they are cultivated best. From farm to retail shelf, we're committed to best in class manufacturing processes, guarantee purity, potency and traceability of every product that is made and put on the shelf. Learn more at www.youtheory.com. Follow on social at https://www.facebook.com/youtheorybeauty and https://www.instagram.com/youtheory/.
About Ashwagandha
Youtheory® Ashwagandha, also called Indian Ginseng, has been used in Ayurvedic practices for thousands of years to improve both physical and mental well-being. This stress remedy contains 1,000 mg of a full spectrum ashwagandha blend and 20 mg of ginger root, helping to promote a healthy response to everyday stressors. The apoptogenic botanical is revered as nature's antidote to modern stress because it counteracts stress by responding to and balancing out your body's cortisol levels. The time-tested plant not only helps boost overall well-being and quality of life, but also helps to boost mental and physical performance. Youtheory Ashwagandha is now available to purchase online at www.youtheory.com.
About Corey LaJoie
Corey LaJoie will drive the No. 7 Chevrolet for Spire Motorsports in a multi-year agreement for the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series season. Previously, LaJoie competed in two full-time seasons driving the No. 32 Ford for Go Fas Racing. LaJoie earned three top-10 results for Go Fas Racing, including a sixth place at Daytona International Speedway and seventh place at Talladega Superspeedway in 2019. In 2020, LaJoie kicked off the season with an eighth-place finish in the Daytona 500. LaJoie has 129 career Cup Series starts. LaJoie, who finished the 2020 season 30th in the Cup Series standings, is the son of two-time Xfinity Series champion Randy LaJoie.
Ontario's doctors expect huge demand for mental health services after pandemic
TORONTO, Jan. 26, 2021 /CNW/ - Ontario's doctors expect the demand for mental health and addictions care will exist and grow for years after the COVID-19 pandemic, if history is any guide.
OHIP data suggests that Ontarians sought more mental health care from their doctors, for issues other than substance abuse, from March to December 2020 than for the same period in 2019. The OMA is holding a media briefing on this topic from 1-2 p.m. today. Register here.
Mental health diagnoses directly attributed to the 1918 Influenza Pandemic continued for another six years afterward. Studies of people who had to isolate or quarantine during SARS showed they experienced post-traumatic stress disorder and depression afterward.
"This past year has been exceptionally, unprecedentedly, stressful," said Dr. Samantha Hill, president of the Ontario Medical Association. "Ontarians worried about contracting COVID-19 or having a loved one do so; about finances and job security; about their children and parents tolerating the loneliness and isolation. To make matters worse, we did so without our usual coping mechanisms. We have been unable to hug each other, to surround ourselves with friends and family or to 'get away.' It's been harder than usual to go to the gym, to access psychological therapy and even buy groceries. Prolonged stress like this taxes our mental and physical health. The resulting need for mental health services further increases the pandemic deficit of health care."
OHIP data analyzed by the Ontario Medical Association suggests:
At the start of the pandemic (March to July 2020), the number of visits to physicians for major and other mental health conditions was about the same as the previous year, possibly due to a lack of personal protective equipment in certain settings that limited in-person visits.
There was an almost 8 per cent increase in major mental health visits and an almost 12 per cent increase in other mental health visits from August to December 2020 as more physicians and patients began using and receiving virtual care.
There was a drop of nearly 13 per cent recorded for visits to physicians for substance abuse issues during the pandemic (March to December 2020), compared with the same part of 2019; this patient population is challenging to reach, probably does not respond well to virtual care and may have experienced high levels of disruption in housing and job security during the pandemic.
These statistics reflect only those mental health and addictions services provided by physicians and billed to OHIP. These services are also provided in Ontario by other health-care professionals and through employee assistance programs or private billings.
The OMA is studying these statistics to better understand what they mean and how doctors can address existing and post-pandemic mental health needs. It's possible that the number of visits for mental health and addictions services may be even higher than initial figures suggest.
"Ontario's doctors will continue to work with the government to provide the mental health and addiction supports needed for both patients and health-care workers," said OMA CEO Allan O'Dette. "The stronger our overall health-care system is, the better able we are to look after all aspects of our own and our community's well-being."
About the OMA
The Ontario Medical Association represents Ontario's 43,000-plus physicians, medical students and retired physicians, advocating for and supporting doctors while strengthening the leadership role of doctors in caring for patients. Our vision is to be the trusted voice in transforming Ontario's health-care system.
SOURCE Ontario Medical Association
Accomplished Musicians Honor Family’s Legacy with Three Tributes
Austin, TX, January 26, 2021 — For brothers Robert and James Freeman, who are both accomplished musicians, music and family mean everything. To honor their family’s musical legacy, which spans three generations, the brothers commissioned three breathtaking, original scores included on Three Tributes, a music CD (with an accompanying booklet), which would make a welcome addition to anyone’s collection of beautiful new music.
Three Tributes features award-winning composers Kevin Puts, Andrea Clearfield and Gunther Schuller, along with a host of world-class performers. The CD will immerse listeners in the magnificent sounds of an emotional violin solo, stunningly prestissimo strings, and the layered splendor of four hands on two pianos.
For Robert and James, a music CD seemed an appropriate way to honor their family’s multigenerational love and appreciation of music. Their parents, Henry and Florence Knope Freeman, were both children of musicians and graduated from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester in 1930.
Both Robert and James studied piano and theory at Cambridge’s Longy School while graduating from Milton Academy, and studied performance during the summers at Tanglewood, Blue Hill and Marlboro. They went on to Harvard, where each graduated with honors, followed by travelling fellowships for study in Europe.
Robert took his Ph.D. in music history at Princeton and taught there for five years before moving to MIT, where he made tenure just before moving for 24 years to the directorship of the Eastman School — his parents’ alma mater — followed by two years as president of the New England Conservatory and six as dean of the College of Fine Arts at the University of Texas at Austin.
James went straight from Harvard to Swarthmore College, where he taught and conducted for 37 years, served as departmental chair for 16 years and as Daniel Underhill Professor of Music. In 1988 he founded Philadelphia’s new music group Orchestra 2001, directing it until 2015 when he resigned to take on a new ensemble, Chamber Orchestra FIRST EDITIONS. In 1991 he was a Fulbright lecturer and conductor at the Moscow Conservatory, and has returned to Moscow many times since then to give concerts of new American music.
Both brothers have made lots of recordings, and have published their share of well-reviewed books and articles. When the idea arose to commission some original scores to honor their family legacy, Robert and James sought out music’s finest to bring their vision for Three Tributes to fruition.
Two of the composers featured on the CD have won the Pulitzer Prize. Kevin Puts is currently at work on an opera for the Metropolitan Opera. Andrea Clearfield, who took her DMA at Temple, is the founder of the Philadelphia Salon Concert Series, featuring contemporary, classical, jazz, world and electronic music, together with multimedia and spoken word arts. The late Gunther Schuller was one of the 20th Century’s music stars as composer, conductor, author and administrator. He was a great admirer of their father’s bass playing, and a good friend.
Robert and James hope that Three Tributes will inspire others to undertake similar projects. Neither of them is aware of any similar event in the history of music where two brothers from a family of professional musicians — spanning at least two generations before them — have commissioned significant works as a tribute to their parents and for future generations to enjoy.
Overpower Negativity, Push Through Adversity Using Tools Outlined in Optimists Always Win!
Philadelphia, PA, January 26, 2021 — Are you ready for a personal and professional reset? Make 2021 your best year yet by learning how to cultivate and nurture a positive mindset every day.
Optimists Always Win!: Moving from Defeat to Life's C-Suite, from award-winning global diversity and inclusion strategist, international inspirational speaker and unstoppable optimist Kimberly S. Reed, delivers the encouragement and the tools to launch the new beginning we all need.
“Difficulties and struggles are unavoidable in life, but a person has complete control over one’s personal response to the situation,” Reed says. “This book offers readers a plan for responding with optimism for both the challenges and blessings that come their way.”
Optimists Always Win! isn’t another collection of platitudes and motivational mumbo jumbo. Reed’s book digs deep into her most powerful principles and life knockouts (LKOs) and walks readers throughan actionable process for building resilience and choosing optimism over anger.
Reed uses her own experiences, including her heroic battle with her mother’s terminal illness and sudden loss as well as her own subsequent battle with cancer, to show readers that it’s possible to rise above pessimism and hopelessness when faced with hardship.
Relying heavily on her faith in God and the optimism that she learned to cultivate, Reed teaches readers 10 “discouragement eliminators,” which helped her succeed not just in her fight against cancer but as she lives each day as her best self.
Reed’s inspirational messages touch on every aspect of life, to help readers grow in their faith, remove self-placed stumbling blocks and adopt the optimistic attitude needed for reaching the C-suite of life.
All book royalties are being donated to the American Cancer Society AstraZeneca Hope Lodge in Philadelphia and to a premier Academic Research Institution for Integrated Breast Cancer Fund and Patient Care.
Author Kimberly S. Reed, MEd, CDP, is an award-winning diversity, equality and inclusion expert, international speaker and corporate trainer. As founder of the Reed Development Group, LLC, she has developed a distinguished reputation as having one of the most distinct and powerful voices on the lecture circuit, engaging audiences on topics ranging from diversity and inclusion and talent innovation, organizational leadership, intrapreneurship, entrepreneurial leadership, and personal and professional development. Reed earned a B.A. in Political Science with a concentration in International Relations and Public Administration from Westchester University; a certification in Global Organizational Leadership, Human Resource Management, from Fox School of Business; a Masters of Education, Adult Organizational Development and Public Policy; and certifications in Training and Development and Communication and Conflict from Temple University. She has also been a senior partner and advisor for one of the world’s leading CEO branding companies, The Ascendant Group.
Optimists Always Win!: Moving from Defeat to Life's C-Suite
