TELUS and Cool Aid bring innovative Health for Good™ mobile health clinic to Victoria
The Cool Aid Mobile Health Clinic, powered by TELUS Health, is a specially-equipped mobile van providing primary healthcare to marginalized people in the Capital region
VICTORIA, British Columbia, July 07, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, TELUS and the Victoria Cool Aid Society announced a new partnership through TELUS’ innovative mobile Health for Good program that will bring primary care to underserved people in the Victoria area. According to a 2020 survey1 studying Victoria’s homelessness and housing needs, over 1,500 individuals experience homelessness in Greater Victoria on any given night. These individuals face additional barriers outside of homelessness and are in need of health services including primary care, harm reduction services, and mental health supports. The Cool Aid Mobile Health Clinic, powered by TELUS Health, is a specially-equipped clinic on wheels that provides trauma-informed, primary medical treatments, mental health services, addiction support as well as COVID-19 assessments and testing directly to people who need it most.
“At TELUS, we believe that everyone should have access to healthcare when and where they need it, regardless of their socio-economic status. Through our partnership with Cool Aid, we are removing many of the barriers facing underserved and at-risk populations in the Victoria region by providing access to critical healthcare, social support, and COVID-19 testing,” said Darren Entwistle, President and CEO, TELUS. “As we continue to navigate the global pandemic, today’s expansion of our Health for Good program will enable us to care for our most marginalized citizens at a time when access to high-quality, compassionate healthcare, including vital support for mental wellness, has never been more important.”
The Mobile Health Clinic is equipped with TELUS Health’s electronic medical record (EMR) technology, TELUS Mobility services and TELUS LTE Wi-Fi network technology to assist the onboard care team in delivering immediate, quality care. Leveraging TELUS Health EMR technology, skilled practitioners will be able to collect and store data, examine results over time, and provide better continuity of care to patients who previously had undocumented medical histories.
“Bringing the Cool Aid Mobile Health Clinic to the Victoria region further expands our community health centre model of care and services for those who experience barriers to primary care and services,” said Mary Chudley, director of health and support services at Cool Aid. “Many marginalized communities including those who are under-housed or experience homelessness have not had access to primary care in years or do not have a documented medical history that can be referenced by healthcare practitioners. By facilitating better continuity of care, these services help those who cannot easily access traditional medical care, yet are in urgent need. With the mobile clinic, we are able to provide primary care to individuals who need complex care. This kind of outreach will ultimately lead to better patient outcomes.”
The vehicle is divided into two main areas: the first for patient reception and nursing care; and the second with an examination table and doctor’s workstation including equipment necessary to provide primary healthcare such as routine testing, contraception, STI treatment, harm reduction services, and mental health care and counselling. The clinic will also include:
Blood pressure machine with thermometer and pulse oximeter
Otoscope and ophthalmoscope
Emergency and harm reduction supplies
COVID-19 assessments and testing
Locations that the clinic will visit throughout Greater Victoria continue to be determined in collaboration with community partners to reach people in need where they are – in parks, shelters, supportive housing locations, soup kitchens, food banks, and on the streets. Staffed by a comprehensive team including physicians, nurse practitioners, registered nurses and outreach workers, the clinic will be able to deliver specialized care to the target population where and when they need it.
“By going to our clients instead of asking them to come to us, we get to step into their world and see the many barriers and challenges they are facing that may not be apparent when meeting with them in a more clinical setting,” said Robyn Kyle, Cool Aid Health outreach worker. “Part of what makes outreach workers so crucial, especially in a healthcare context, is that we have the tools to address those barriers and challenges, which inevitably leads to better healthcare engagement and better outcomes.”
Backed by a $10 million commitment from TELUS, the TELUS Health for Good program is active from coast-to-coast with clinics operating in Vancouver, Surrey, Edmonton, Ottawa, Mississauga-Peel Region, Waterloo Region, Montreal, Halifax and Toronto.
About TELUS Health for Good Since 2014, TELUS Health for Good has been helping to remove many of the barriers Canadians living on the streets face in receiving medical care and reconnecting thousands of patients to the public healthcare system. The Mobile Health Clinics provide essential primary medical care, including electronic medical records, and have enabled over 70,000 patient visits since the program’s inception. Today, through numerous partnerships, volunteers, and the power of technology, TELUS Health for Good is an efficient and innovative mobile healthcare delivery tool to reach communities in need by bringing healthcare directly to the people that need it most.
About TELUS TELUS (TSX: T, NYSE: TU) is a dynamic, world-leading communications technology company with $16 billion in annual revenue and 16 million customer connections spanning wireless, data, IP, voice, television, entertainment, video, and security. We leverage our global-leading technology and compassion to enable remarkable human outcomes. Our longstanding commitment to putting our customers first fuels every aspect of our business, making us a distinct leader in customer service excellence and loyalty. In 2020, TELUS was recognized as having the fastest wireless network in the world, reinforcing our commitment to provide Canadians with access to superior technology that connects us to the people, resources and information that make our lives better. TELUS Health is Canada’s leader in digital health technology, improving access to health and wellness services and revolutionizing the flow of health information across the continuum of care. TELUS Agriculture provides innovative digital solutions throughout the agriculture value chain, supporting better food outcomes from improved agri-business data insights and processes. TELUS International (TSX and NYSE: TIXT) is a leading digital customer experience innovator that delivers next-generation AI and content management solutions for global brands across the technology and games, ecommerce and FinTech, communications and media, healthcare, travel and hospitality sectors. TELUS and TELUS International operate in 25+ countries around the world. Together, let’s make the future friendly.
Driven by our passionate social purpose to connect all citizens for good, our deeply meaningful and enduring philosophy to give where we live has inspired TELUS, our team members and retirees to contribute more than $820 million and 1.6 million days of service since 2000. This unprecedented generosity and unparalleled volunteerism have made TELUS the most giving company in the world.
About the Victoria Cool Aid Society The Victoria Cool Aid Society believes that everyone deserves home, health and community. We create opportunities for people who are homeless or living in poverty and we make a difference through housing, health and dental care, community, and emergency shelters. Founded in 1968, Cool Aid helps more than 12,000 people in the Capital region every year, at 20 locations in Victoria, Saanich and Langford, including more than 7,000 Community Health Centre patients. For more information about Cool Aid, visit coolaid.org.
Ontario Government funds new Virtual Intensive Treatment Program for Addiction at Renascent
$1.25M annualized investment addresses critical gap in the health care system by adding urgently needed intensive treatment for addiction using innovative virtual model.
TORONTO, July 8, 2021 /CNW/ - The Ontario Government announced new annualized funding for Renascent in the amount of $1.25M, making a newly developed Virtual Intensive Outpatient Program (VIOP) for addiction available to Ontarians aged 16 years and older. The innovative new program was developed by Renascent over the course of the pandemic to address the lack of intensive treatment programs in the health care system and the rapidly growing wait times for addiction treatment.
"With escalating rates of substance use and addiction across our communities, it is critical to ramp up the health care system's treatment capacity and look at incorporating innovative approaches to treatment," said Laura Bhoi, Chief Executive Officer, Renascent. "This new investment in Renascent's Virtual Intensive Outpatient Program adds urgently needed intensive outpatient treatment for Ontarians with substance use disorders, using a promising new virtual model."
To help meet the growing need for addiction treatment and services, Renascent – a not-for-profit organization – launched its Virtual Intensive Outpatient Program in April 2020. Through donations made to Renascent Foundation, the program has been offered to the public at no fee, already enabling over 200 people to access the intensive treatment.
Clients who access the program receive 26 weeks of treatment, which includes six weeks of intensive programming, followed by 20 weeks of Continuing Care. There has been growing demand for the program over the last year, currently running with a waitlist and receiving high ratings from clients.
"This new Government funding doubles the number of clients we can serve and most importantly, it supports us to operate this desperately needed program in a sustainable manner," said Bhoi. "Investment in this new virtual intensive treatment can build a new pathway for many individuals seeking help, as part of a larger system including inpatient, outpatient and harm reduction services."
"I was given a second chance with Renascent – which transformed my life. The Virtual Intensive Outpatient Program helped me understand and process my experiences, gave me connections to others who understood what I was going through, and provided tools to help me abstain from drinking while remaining at home," said Pat S., former Renascent Virtual Intensive Outpatient Program client. "This was my first time participating in any type of virtual setting and I was pleased by how engaging it was. The counsellors were welcoming, and I was amazed at how quickly we all bonded. I am so grateful for my journey with Renascent, as being sober gives me a whole new perspective on life."
In partnership with Ontario Shores' Research Team, the Virtual Intensive Outpatient Program will undergo formal program evaluation to assess outcomes and potential for its expansion.
Anyone in need of addiction treatment is encouraged to contact Renascent directly. For more information about Renascent's Virtual Intensive Outpatient Program and other programs and services, visit: renascent.ca
About Renascent and Renascent Foundation: Renascent has been a trusted leader in the treatment of substance use and concurrent mental disorders for over 50 years; helping more than 50,000 people experiencing addiction on their road to recovery. Renascent is an accredited non-profit treatment centre, which provides hope and healing to individuals, families, loved ones, communities, and organizations impacted by addiction. Renascent Foundation enables the health and well-being of people experiencing addiction by inspiring investment into mental health and addictions programs and services.
SOURCE Renascent
Microbix Presenting Product Results to Industry
Two Abstracts Reporting on Cross-Platform Utility of Antigen & Serological QAPs™
MISSISSAUGA, Ontario, July 08, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Microbix Biosystems Inc. (TSX: MBX, OTCQB: MBXBF, Microbix®), a life sciences innovator and exporter, announces that it has been invited to present about the performance of its COVID-19 test quality assessment products (QAPs™) at “ECCMID 2021” the 31st annual congress organized by the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, taking place in virtual format July 9-12, 2021.
The first abstract poster presentation is titled “Advanced SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein swab-based formulation for use as cross-platform EQA sample and as a prospective Quality Control.” It reviews the performance of Microbix’s novel, innovative, and proprietary REDx™FLOQ®, PROCEEDx™FLOQ®, and white-label SARS-CoV-2 Ag Swab Positive formulations that can be used to help ensure the accuracy of rapid “antigen-based” screening tests for COVID-19 disease. The results demonstrate that these Microbix QAPs are compatible with 32 widely-used COVID-19 antigen tests, including those from the world’s most prominent diagnostics companies.
The second abstract poster presentation is titled “Novel neutralizing anti-S1 SARS-CoV-2 human monoclonal antibody formulation for use as a cross-platform EQA sample and prospective quality controls.” It reviews the performance of Microbix’s pending QAPs to support the accuracy of tests for the presence and extent to which patients have developed protective and neutralizing antibodies to the virus causing COVID-19 disease, as a result of either vaccination or prior infection. The results demonstrate that these newly-created QAPs are compatible with four leading commercially-available COVID-19 S-Protein based neutralizing antibody “serology” tests, and do not have any cross-reactivity with two commercially-available COVID-19 N-Protein general “serology” tests.
Such results continue to demonstrate how Microbix is addressing the need for workflow controls to effectively support the quality objectives of all forms of testing relating to the pandemic, and with its QAPs portfolio now comprising more than 70 distinct products across multiple categories of infectious disease.
The abstract presentations were co-authored by ten members of Microbix’s product development (R&D), operating, and customer support teams, led by Pavel Zhelev, Director of Product Management (QAPs) and Dr. Amer Alagic, Director of R&D. The posters detail the performance results of the QAPs in a complete and succinct fashion. Both posters will be made available on the company website, https://microbix.com, upon their presentation at ECCMID 2021 and they include Microbix’s thankful acknowledgement of seventeen collaborator organizations in Canada and around the world.
Purchase enquiries for Microbix’s QAPs can be directed to one of its nine distributors for the Americas, Australasia, Europe, and Scandinavia, as cited later in this news release. QAPs product enquiries can also be e-mailed directly to Microbix at customer.service@microbix.com.
About Microbix Biosystems Microbix develops proprietary biological technology solutions for human health and well-being, with about 90 skilled employees and sales now approaching C$ 2.0 million per month. It makes a wide range of critical biological materials for the global diagnostics industry, notably antigens for immunoassays and its laboratory quality assessment products (QAPs™) that support clinical lab proficiency testing, enable assay development and validation, or help ensure the quality of clinical diagnostic workflows. Microbix antigens enable the antibody tests of over 100 international diagnostics companies, while its QAPs are sold to clinical laboratory accreditation organizations, diagnostics companies, and clinical laboratories. Microbix QAPs are now available in over 30 countries, distributed by 1WA (Oneworld Accuracy Inc.), Alpha-Tec Systems, Inc., Diagnostic International Distribution SpA., Labquality Oy, The Medical Supply Company of Ireland, R-Biopharm AG, SDT Molecular Pte Ltd, Seegene Canada Inc., and Thomas Scientific LLC. Microbix is ISO 9001 and 13485 accredited, U.S. FDA registered, Australian TGA registered, Health Canada establishment licensed, and provides CE marked products.
Microbix also applies its biological expertise and infrastructure to develop other proprietary products and technologies, most notably viral transport medium (DxTM™) to stabilize patient samples for lab-based molecular diagnostic testing and Kinlytic® urokinase, a biologic thrombolytic drug used to treat blood clots. Microbix is traded on the TSX and OTCQB, and headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada.
Forward-Looking Information This news release includes “forward-looking information,” as such term is defined in applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information includes, without limitation, discussion of the abstracts and their relevance, Microbix’s collaborators and their tests, the referenced product lines or their uses, Microbix’s business and business results, goals or outlook, risks associated with financial results and stability, development projects such as those referenced in its corporate presentation, regulatory compliance and approvals, sales to foreign jurisdictions, engineering and construction, production (including control over costs, quality, quantity and timeliness of delivery), foreign currency and exchange rates, maintaining adequate working capital and raising further capital on acceptable terms or at all, and other similar statements concerning anticipated future events, conditions or results that are not historical facts. These statements reflect management’s current estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations; they are not guarantees of future performance. The Company cautions that all forward-looking information is inherently uncertain and that actual performance may be affected by a number of material factors, many of which are beyond the Company’s control. Accordingly, actual future events, conditions and results may differ materially from the estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking information. All statements are made as of the date of this news release and represent the Company’s judgement as of the date of this new release, and the Company is under no obligation to update or alter any forward-looking information.
Pleas
Beazley launches innovative insurance solution for nutraceutical risks in Canada
Toronto, July 08, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Specialist insurer Beazley has launched its nutraceutical focused insurance product NutraGuard in Canada.
NutraGuard provides a dedicated insurance form customized for nutraceutical manufacturers and distributors with the flexibility to cover products liability, general liability, errors and omissions (E&O), product recall expense, employee benefits liability and hired/non-owned auto insurance. Coverage is available to companies active at all points of the nutraceutical value chain, from ingredient producers to product manufacturers to wholesale/retail distributors.
Derek Dow, Beazley healthcare underwriter, said: "With the Canadian nutraceuticals market expected to witness a growth rate of over 5% by 2024*, we see a gap within the insurance market for a policy tailored to the precise needs of this burgeoning market. Beazley NutraGuard offers a solution that responds to the wide variety of exposures that companies in this industry confront."
Evan Smith, Head of Miscellaneous Medical & Life Sciences at Beazley, said: "The expansion of our healthcare and life sciences offerings in Canada speaks volumes to the growth potential we see in this specialized insurance solution for businesses operating in the nutraceutical space. Beazley NutraGuard offers our clients a unique policy form that provides seamless coverage for the risks they face."
Beazley brings solid experience and understanding of the nutraceutical market having first launched NutraGuard in the US seven years ago.
With underwriters in the US, Canada, Latin America, UK, Europe and Asia Pacific, Beazley's growing healthcare team specializes in hard to place risks that require technical underwriting acumen. Clients include a wide range of organizations from producers of vitamins and minerals, lifestyle supplements, sports nutrition, cosmetics, personal care and energy products.
The risks that health-related organizations face are evolving fast as our recent research into changing attitudes to risk and insurance among digital health and wellness leaders demonstrates. Read our recent report here:
Beazley plc (BEZ.L) is the parent company of specialist insurance businesses with operations in Europe, United States, Canada, Latin America and Asia. Beazley manages six Lloyd’s syndicates and, in 2020, underwrote gross premiums worldwide of $3,563.8m. All Lloyd’s syndicates are rated A by A.M. Best.
Beazley’s underwriters in the United States focus on writing a range of specialist insurance products. In the admitted market, coverage is provided by Beazley Insurance Company, Inc., an A.M. Best A rated carrier licensed in all 50 states. In the surplus lines market, coverage is provided by the Beazley syndicates at Lloyd’s.
Beazley’s European insurance company, Beazley Insurance dac, is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland and is A rated by A.M. Best and A+ by Fitch.
Beazley is a market leader in many of its chosen lines, which include professional indemnity, cyber, property, marine, reinsurance, accident and life, and political risks and contingency business.
New Book Celebrates the Power of God’s Love and Support During Daughter’s Caregiving Journey
Miraculous Encounter Affirms Evidence of God’s Presence in Trying Times
LOS ANGELES, CA, July 8, 2021 — Have you ever answered the call to care for a loved one in their final days? Imagine discovering that you are not alone when you are met with life’s most difficult challenges. That is exactly what happened to author Lisa Roseman when she experienced God’s reassuring daily presence during her journey as a caregiver for her mother.
In The Highest of Care: A Journey Through Cancer, Roseman offers hope in the face of terminal illness, denial and the reality of death. As she learned to navigate her new life as sole caregiver during her mother’s battle with cancer, she was faced with several challenges. The book details the healing journey of Roseman's relationship with her mother, rife with lack of communication and power struggles. Battling depression and exhaustion, she struggled to connect with her mother only to be met by rejection. With the patience of a saint, Roseman dedicated her life to her mother’s care, relying on God to help guide her in becoming the heart-centered caretaker her mother needed.
The book brings comfort to those navigating the challenges of caring for a loved one. Messages from God along the journey, including a message in the form of a lion on the wall above her mother’s bed, strengthened Roseman’s faith and affirmed that life is eternal. At the end of her mother’s life, she saw the lion reappear, gently guiding her mother into the afterlife. This profound experience facilitated a Divine awakening for Roseman, enveloped with God’s love.
As Roseman recalls, “I didn’t know that a book would come out of that 22-month-long season. It wasn’t until the end of her life, when a miracle happened, that I knew the story had to be told.” Through the powerful Christian prayer model she discovered years before, Sozo prayer, she broke through and found the courage and inner peace needed to continue caring for her mother and to begin practicing self-care.
The Highest of Care is filled with hope, reminding readers that messages from God are possible—in everyday life and in the miraculous—and all you need is to look for them.
About Lisa M. Roseman Lisa M. Roseman, M.T.S., is a theologian, a lay counselor, and an author with the mission of assisting people toward transformation and inner healing—spiritually, emotionally and relationally. She is the founder of Sozo Freedom, an inner healing ministry in Southern California. Roseman has helped hundreds of people experience deep inner healing in various settings, including private mentorship, group counseling, addiction recovery and her church congregation.
The Highest of Care: A Journey Through Cancer ISBN-13: 979-8726067780 Available from Amazon.com
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Now That the Worst Is Over, Why Are
Burned-Out Workers Leaving in Droves?
Just as COVID is winding down, a burnout epidemic is rising—and it’s fueling a mass exodus of workers. A psychiatrist and a workplace trauma expert say the timing shouldn’t surprise us.
Nashville, TN (July 2021)—The worst of COVID seems to be over. So, just as a sense of normalcy is returning, why are America’s workers reporting record levels of burnout? And why is it driving what’s being called the “Great Resignation”?
Psychiatrist Mark Goulston, MD, says burnout (characterized by depletion, cynicism, and reduced productivity) is a normal response to the extreme stress and trauma caused by a global pandemic that has dragged out for over a year—and the delay is no surprise.
“Burnout happens progressively and cumulatively,” says Dr. Goulston, coauthor along with Diana Hendel, PharmD, of Why Cope When You Can Heal? How Healthcare Heroes of COVID-19 Can Recover from PTSD (Harper Horizon, December 2020, ISBN: 978-0-7852-4462-2, $17.99). “Spend a year working long hours under stressful circumstances, trying to also homeschool your kids, feeling isolated, grieving all these losses, and worrying about the safety of your loved ones and yourself, and eventually you will hit a breaking point.
“It takes time to reflect on and process what you’ve been through,” he adds. “It makes sense that many people are just now getting to that breaking point.”
Obviously, a cadre of burned-out employees is bad for engagement, innovation, productivity, and all the other factors that make a company hum. What’s more, the pandemic has given employees a lot of time to think and reassess. And many have concluded that life is too short to work for companies that don’t seem to care about them as human beings (hence, the mass exodus).
The onus for fixing the burnout problem is on both parties, say the authors.
“Leaders need to take burnout seriously,” says Dr. Hendel, an organizational trauma expert. “Get intentional about monitoring your employees’ mental health, which is intertwined with burnout, and intervening when needed. This matters in the best of times, but especially in the wake of a traumatic event like COVID.
“But also, employees need to take responsibility for managing their own stress and building up their own resilience,” she adds.
Five Tips for LEADERS…
Stand firm against stigma. Burnout absolutely impacts people’s mental health, say Drs. Goulston and Hendel. When it’s untreated, people can become depressed and anxious, and they may be at greater risk for substance abuse and possibly even suicide. That’s why a holistic approach to fighting burnout includes making sure employees feel safe enough to come to you when they’re struggling.
“We need to do all we can to bring mental health issues into the light—and to stand firm against the stigma that discourages people from talking about it,” says Dr. Hendel.
If you have an EAP, make sure people feel comfortable accessing it. An employee assistance program (EAP) helps employees with issues that affect their health and mental and emotional well-being. If your organization has an EAP, make sure that people know the services it offers, and that they can access them confidentially. Reinforce the message that there is no shame in using an EAP. And if you do not currently have an EAP, consider setting one up now.
Talk up the subject of mental health. Don’t assume people “just know” you care about this issue. They probably don’t. Say the words “I want you to be mentally and emotionally healthy. Please come to me if you need help. My door is always open.” And don’t just say it once. Say it, announce it, write it, and reinforce it, over and over.
Regularly meet with employees one-on-one so you’re more likely to be aware of their personal struggles. This is a good leadership practice anyway as it builds strong connections between leaders and employees. But especially in tumultuous times like now, it helps you know if they’re grieving a loss or their spouse has lost a job or their child is struggling in school. The better you know your employees, the more likely you’ll be to intervene when they need it.
Be aware of the signals you’re sending. (People need to feel psychologically safe to tell the truth.) It’s crucial for leaders to allow people to feel their emotions and to talk about it when they are having a tough time. Pay attention to the signals you’re sending. Never penalize people, overtly or subtly, for bringing their secret struggles into the light. Never imply that this is a sign of “weakness” or that they are finding a reason to shirk their duties. And, if you think you’d never do this, know that it’s possible to subconsciously push people away through stigmatizing them.
“We often stigmatize others because what they are going through hits too close to home about our own mental and emotional issues,” says Dr. Goulston. “It seems that most of the world copes with anxiety and depression—as opposed to healing from it—by trying to run away from it by keeping busy. Hearing about someone else’s issues can get in the way of our being able to run from ours.”
…and Five More for EMPLOYEES
Tell your employer how they can help. First, assume your employer wants to help; after all, it is to their benefit not to have a burned out employee. Maybe you need a more flexible work schedule or hybrid arrangement (partly remote, partly onsite) to help you balance work and home priorities. Maybe you need more training or different kinds of projects to get you out of your funk. Maybe you need your company to consider upgrading the mental health benefits it offers.
“Employers can’t always meet every request, but most will do their best,” says Dr. Hendel. “Don’t be afraid to ask. If you don’t, they probably won’t even realize you’re struggling.”
Prioritize sleep, diet, and exercise. They are your foundation. A healthy lifestyle may not get to the root of your burnout problem, but it can make you more resilient so you can better tackle those root causes.Go to bed early enough to get the rest you need. Cook a batch of healthy meals at once so you can have several lunches and dinners ready when you are. Make time to exercise; you will feel physically and emotionally better when you move your body several times a week.
Meditate daily. A simple meditation routine can help you maintain a more relaxed state overall and manage anxiety and stress. If you’re new to meditation, try not to overthink it. Simply find a quiet moment, close your eyes, and begin slowly breathing in and out. Focus on your breathing but allow your emotions and thoughts to rise and flow through you naturally. Don’t fret if you can meditate for only a few minutes at a time. Start small and add more time when you are ready.
“You can also use your meditation time to do a quick body scan,” says Dr. Goulston. “Start at the top of your head and intentionally scan your entire body, noticing any areas where you may be holding onto extra tension. Mindfully release any tension you become aware of.”
Let people know exactly what you need (and what you don’t) when you’re stressed out. The people in your life want to support you, but they may not know how to go about it—especially when your anxiety or stress levels are high. For example, tell family members, your partner, and coworkers that you prefer they give you a few minutes of privacy when you’re visibly struggling, and ask them not to bombard you with chitchat until you’ve had a chance to calm down. It is much easier when everyone is on the same page.
Consider checking in with a pro. It can be helpful to talk out what you’re experiencing with a trained professional at least once. Use the resources you have available to you to set up a confidential check-in either with your EAP, a social worker, a mental health professional, or a chaplain and discuss how you are doing. You might find that this is very beneficial to your well-being and decide to make it a routine practice.
Finally, notes Dr. Hendel, whether you’re a leader or an employee, give yourself a little grace. It’s been a doozy of a year, and we’re all still feeling our way through.
“COVID has been incredibly stressful, and life is forever changed—and it’s not the last traumatic event we’ll weather,” she notes. “We live in a time of chaos, and there will be disruptions from time to time. Employers and employees are just going to have to figure out how to get through them together.”
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Diana Hendel, PharmD
Dr. Diana Hendel is the coauthor of Trauma to Triumph: A Roadmap for Leading Through Disruption and Thriving on the Other Side (HarperCollins Leadership, Spring 2021) and Why Cope When You Can Heal?: How Healthcare Heroes of COVID-19 Can Recover from PTSD (Harper Horizon, December 2020). She is an executive coach and leadership consultant, former hospital CEO, and the author of Responsible: A Memoir, a riveting and deeply personal account of leading during and through the aftermath of a deadly workplace trauma.
As the CEO of Long Beach Memorial Medical Center and Miller Children’s and Women’s Hospital, Hendel led one of the largest acute care, trauma, and teaching hospital complexes on the West Coast. She has served in leadership roles in numerous community organizations and professional associations, including chair of the California Children’s Hospital Association, executive committee member of the Hospital Association of Southern California, vice chair of the Southern California Leadership Council, chair of the Greater Long Beach Chamber of Commerce, board member of the California Society of Health-System Pharmacists, and leader-in-residence of the Ukleja Center for Ethical Leadership at California State University Long Beach.
She earned a BS in biological sciences from UC Irvine and a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from UC San Francisco. She has spoken about healthcare and leadership at regional and national conferences, and at TEDx SoCal on the topic of “Childhood Obesity: Small Steps, Big Change.”
Mark Goulston, MD, FAPA
Dr. Mark Goulston is the coauthor of Trauma to Triumph: A Roadmap for Leading Through Disruption and Thriving on the Other Side (HarperCollins Leadership, Spring 2021) and Why Cope When You Can Heal?: How Healthcare Heroes of COVID-19 Can Recover from PTSD (Harper Horizon, December 2020). He is a board-certified psychiatrist, fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, former assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at UCLA-NPI, and a former FBI and police hostage negotiation trainer. He is the creator of Theory Y Executive Coaching that he provides to CEOs, presidents, founders, and entrepreneurs, and is a TEDx and international keynote speaker.
He hosts the My Wakeup Call podcast, where he speaks with influencers about their purpose in life and the wakeup calls that led them there, and is the co-creator and moderator of the multi-honored documentary Stay Alive: An Intimate Conversation about Suicide Prevention.
He appears frequently as a human psychology and behavior expert across all media, including CNN, ABC/NBC/CBS/BBC News, Today, Oprah, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Fortune, Harvard Business Review, Business Insider, Fast Company, Huffington Post, and Westwood One, and was featured in the PBS special Just Listen.
He is the author or principal author of seven prior books, including PTSD for Dummies, Get Out of Your Own Way: Overcoming Self-Defeating Behavior, Just Listen: Discover the Secret to Getting Through to Absolutely Anyone, Real Influence: Persuade Without Pushing and Gain Without Giving In, and Talking to Crazy: How to Deal with the Irrational and Impossible People in Your Life.
About the Book:
Why Cope When You Can Heal?: How Healthcare Heroes of COVID-19 Can Recover from PTSD (Harper Horizon, December 2020, ISBN: 978-0-7852-4462-2, $17.99) is available in bookstores nationwide and from major online booksellers.
Helping young Canadians get their health back on track after more than a year of COVID-19 pandemic lockdown
Quash provides support to teens who want to quit vaping and smoking
TORONTO, July 8, 2021 /CNW/ - Canadian teens who turned to smoking and vaping at alarmingly high rates during the pandemic to cope with stress and deteriorating mental health have a new app to support quitting.
Helping teens get their mental health and well-being back on track after more than a year of COVID-19 pandemic lockdown.
Quash is a free, made-in-Canada app based on behaviour change science to help teens quit their way, free of the judgement that can often lead to setbacks.
A recent study shows that during the pandemic, about 70 per cent of youth ages six to 18 experienced depression, anxiety, irritability, a lower attention span, or obsessions and compulsions. During these difficult times, teens turned to alcohol, cannabis, smoking and vaping to cope.
"As the COVID-19 vaccine rollout continues and pandemic restrictions are lifted across the country, we're proud to help young Canadians get their health back on track to avoid the debilitating effects of lung disease and support a lifetime of lung health," says Peter Glazier, Executive Vice President of the Lung Health Foundation.
Created by the Lung Health Foundation, the leading national charity dedicated to improving the lung health of Canadians, with financial support from Health Canada, Quash includes tools and calculators to keep teens motivated to make long-lasting changes to live vape and smoke-free.
With Quash, teens can design a quit plan that works for them. They can set personalized goals for quitting and create new healthy habits. They can log their cravings, manage their triggers, track their progress and celebrate their wins by earning cool badges to keep them motivated. The app even features a cost calculator so teens can see how much money they're saving by not buying cigarettes or vape products.
"In as little as nine months after quitting, lungs show big improvements and are better able to fight infections like COVID-19," says Glazier. "Teens find that their mood begins to improve and they're able to get back into sports once they quit. Which makes all the difference when it comes to their positive mental health and well-being."
Quash is available in English and French on Google Play, the App Store and www.quashapp.com.
About the Lung Health Foundation The Lung Health Foundation is the leading national charity dedicated to improving the lung health of Canadians. As part of our five goals for five years, we're dedicated to ensuring future generations don't suffer the debilitating effects of lung disease through smoking and vaping prevention and cessation. Visit lunghealth.ca
The WiseGuide App: Gain Confidence, Find Happiness and Achieve Success
Fort Myers, FL, July 8, 2021 — Effective Learning Systems, the company that pioneered the practice of Productive Meditation more than 45 years ago, recently announced the launch of their first mobile app, WiseGuide, putting the company’s entire library of powerful, time-tested self-improvement techniques at everyone’s fingertips.
WiseGuide goes beyond the benefits of traditional mindfulness and meditation teachings to deliver a vast library of targeted, impactful programs that can help users achieve specific, life-changing personal and professional goals, including boosting athletic performance, building healthier relationships, cultivating better concentration and managing addictions.
“Most people experience positive results immediately and remarkable life-transformation with regular, consistent use,” said Effective Learning Systems founder Bob Griswold.
Features of the WiseGuide App include:
- Over 120 prescriptive titles that address specific goals, including smoking cessation, weight control, stress management, better sleep and much more
- A children’s collection for self-image and self-esteem
- Effective studying and test taking for children from grade school through college
- Programs to listen to while driving, exercising, working or even sleeping
- Works on any iOS or Android mobile device
It is never too late to break bad habits, overcome fears, manage stress or improve virtually any other aspect of life, and it’s never been easier. The WiseGuide App can help people use the power of their own minds to take control and make lasting improvements. And all they have to do is listen.
The WiseGuide App was developed by Effective Learning Systems, whose founder Bob Griswold has been helping people harness the power of their own minds to make transformative changes for more than 45 years. His unique approach to meditation, guided imagery, positive affirmations, relaxation, self-hypnosis and more make his programs uniquely effective.
Polysleep Expands its Sleeping Goods Launching Ultimate Antimicrobial and Cooling Products with Innovative Technology
Leading Canadian mattress company Polysleep debuts its latest innovation, expanding its sleeping goods with three new additions to its locally manufactured collection.
MONTREAL, July 7, 2021 /CNW/ - Poly Sleep Inc. (Polysleep), ranked one of Canada's Fastest-Growing Retail Companies, launches three new technologically advanced products that help ease various health conditions affecting sleep while minimizing nighttime overheating.
Recent studies prove that hot temperatures have significant effects on sleep quality, increasing the average heart rate and respiratory rate, affecting sleep efficiency. Furthermore, Polysleep knows its clients and recognizes that temperature is only the tip of the iceberg. Physical and health variables such as night sweats, sleep position, respiratory distress, heartburn, or inadequate support also have a major impact on the quality of a good night's sleep.
"Introducing the newest members of the Polysleep family delivers on our mission to support our customers' desire for a balanced life, starting with a healthy and comfortable sleep," said Jeremiah Curvers, CEO & co-founder of Polysleep. "Our new products were created by leveraging the most innovative technology available on the market to help a growing segment of consumers with particular needs to improve their sleep."
The new additions to the Polysleep family include the modular and cooling Wedge Pillow, the PolyCool™ Topper and the breathable hypoallergenic and waterproof Mattress Protector. The Polysleep Wedge Pillow and the PolyCool™ Topper are designed with KulKote® Temperature Regulating Technology, an innovative feature built into the top layer that absorbs and dissipates heat for true temperature regulation and a more comfortable feeling. Combined with our antimicrobial and open-cell hybrid foam, our new products offer better support and comfort than traditional memory foam providing the same protection and comfort as our existing Polysleep mattresses.
The modular Polysleep Wedge Pillow is the first product of its type in Canada with a medical-grade antimicrobial foam and KulKote® Temperature Regulating Technology. It can be used in various orientations for unique purposes – including comfort and various health conditions. 1 in 6 adult Canadians is impacted by gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD); sleeping with the head elevated decreases heartburn, the most common symptom of acid reflux. A recent study from Harvard Medical School also found that mild head-of-bed elevation significantly improves obstructive sleep apnea severity. As well as the American Pregnancy Organization who recommends using a wedge pillow for the "SOS" (sleep on side) position and relaxing back stress during the later stages of pregnancy.
The PolyCool™ Topper is a cooling mattress topper developed for those who experience hot flashes and night sweats, which balances the body temperature variations during sleep thanks to the KulKote® Temperature Regulating Technology. According to the Canadian Women's Health Network, the three main symptoms of menopause are hot flashes, insomnia, and night sweats. In Canada, 80 percent of womenhave some symptoms around menopause, increasing fatigue and disrupted sleep. This adjustable cooling mattress pad can be flipped upside down or stay right-side-up to decrease or increase cooling. Since we all react differently to temperature, the PolyCool™ Topper comes in two separate sheets so both you and your partner can enjoy different cooling levels if need be.
The new addition also includes the breathable, waterproof and hypoallergenic Mattress Protector. Designed and made 100% in Montreal, the Polysleep Mattress Protector reduces allergies thanks to its Hypoallergenic SilverClear® coating, providing a protective barrier against odors and allergens. With the same principle as the Baby Mattress, the Polysleep Mattress Protector is ultra-comfortable thanks to its very soft fabric; it will protect your mattress from spills, while the fabric fibers allow it to stay ventilated by wicking away moisture.
Unlike other brands on the market focused only on the surface affecting sleep quality, Polysleep is the only Canadian brand that genuinely cares about different needs—providing their customers with the best sleep performance through smart and innovative solutions such as their unique Polysleep support frame, antimicrobial foam, or the Zephyr Nanobionic technology, allowing to have a more efficient restorative sleep.
About Polysleep. Founded in 2016 Polysleep is a leading Canadian mattress company driven by the desire to offer the best possible sleeping solutions for a balanced life. Available online and 100% locally made, Polysleep offers high-quality products considering peoples' expectations and sleeping demands as a priority while contributing to the local economy's influence and reducing environmental impact.
A business with the purpose to change the world for the better through sleep, for every 10 mattresses sold, Polysleep donates 1 mattress to a person in need collaborating with hundreds of charities across Canada, supporting local initiatives on behalf of the community and the environment. Visit Polysleep at www.polysleep.ca
SOURCE Polysleep
A world first - Thanks to genomics and artificial intelligence, it is now possible to predict the risk of people with type 2 diabetes of developing heart and kidney complications.
MONTREAL, July 7, 2021 /CNW Telbec/ - A study1 published today in the prestigious science journal Diabetologia (the Journal of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes [EASD]) states that it is now possible to "predict to prevent" several major type 2 diabetes related complications.
Diabetes increases the risk of serious cardiovascular and renal complications that have huge consequences on patients' quality of life and significantly increase healthcare costs. Thanks to genomic data and artificial intelligence, we can now predict the risk of developing complications before the first symptoms appear. Early risk prediction could lead to timely and more efficient intervention in patients at high risk.
A research team led by Dr Pavel Hamet and Dr Johanne Tremblay of the Centre de recherche du centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), in collaboration with the company OPTITHERA, selected nearly 600 genetic variants associated with cardiovascular and renal diseases in more than one million people. They developed a new genetic health risk test by analyzing the clinical and genetic data of participants from 17 countries of the ADVANCE trial, one of the largest clinical studies in the world, involving patients with diabetes.
"Over the five-year period of the clinical trial, 20% of people in the genetic high-risk group died from cardiovascular problems compared to only 5% in the low-risk group. Our genetic health risk test also allowed us to identify the people most at risk of developing diabetic nephropathy" said Dr Pavel Hamet.
Moreover, this study showed that the ADVANCE intensive treatment, which consisted of strict blood pressure and glycemic control, had a beneficial effect on high-risk patients in particular. The number needed to treat (NNT) was only 12 (p = 0.006) for high-risk patients compared to 64 (not significant) for low-risk patients. "Our genetic health risk test combined with the ADVANCE intensive treatment allowed a 47% reduction in the mortality rate from cardiovascular disease in the high-risk group. The new test developed by OPTITHERA was validated in four additional independent cohorts including the largest data bank in the United Kingdom (UK Biobank), two population studies, one in the Czech Republic and one in Canada and, in the Clinpradia Quebec cohort." added Dr Johanne Tremblay.
The study published today in Diabetologia demonstrates that this new polygenic risk prediction model allows for stratification of type 2 diabetes patients according to their risk of complications and timely identification of those who will most greatly benefit from intensive glycemic and blood pressure control.
"Moreover, a recent study2 published in March 2021 in the Canadian Journal of Diabetes concluded that our genetic health risk test for the prediction of renal complications in diabetes patients had two positive socio-economic impacts: it reduced healthcare costs and improved patients' quality of life (QUALY)," added Dr Martin Godbout.
"This significant study led by Dr Johanne Tremblay and Dr Pavel Hamet demonstrates the importance and impact of research lead by CHUM researchers and their collaborators," said Dr Vincent Poitout, Director of the CRCHUM.
"Through the combined strength of genomics and artificial intelligence, doctors will have access to a new tool to prevent complications in patients with type 2 diabetes. This new tool gives us a glimpse into what technological innovation can do for patient care," highlighted Dr Fabrice Brunet, President and CEO of the CHUM.
"This scientific breakthrough in precision medicine made by two of our professors at the Faculty of Medicine at the Université de Montréalwill undoubtedly help to improve the quality of life of patients with diabetes" concluded Patrick Cossette, Dean of Medicine at the Université de Montréal.
The OPTITHERA test will be available in Canada soon. After several years of intensive research into diabetes, OPTITHERA will soon be able to offer Canadians a unique and effective test for predicting the risk of complications linked to this medical condition.
ABOUT DR PAVEL HAMET, CM, OQ, OM, MD, PhD, FRCP(C), FAHA, FRSM, FCAHS, Founding President of OPTITHERA
Dr Hamet is a researcher at the CRCHUM, professor of medicine at the University of Montreal, adjunct professor at the department of experimental medicine at McGill University, and visiting professor at the first faculty of medicine at Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic. He founded and directed the CRCHUM between 1996 and 2006. He founded the CHUM genetic medicine service and directed it for more than 15 years. Dr Hamet has authored more than 600 scientific papers on diabetes and hypertension. He is internationally recognized as a leader in personalized medicine for cardiometabolic diseases and was the holder of a Canada Research Chair in predictive genomics between 2006 and 2020.
ABOUT DR JOHANNE TREMBLAY, PhD, FAHA, FCAHS, Co-founder of OPTITHERA, Vice-President and Chief Scientific Officer
Researcher at CRCHUM, professor of medicine at the University of Montreal, and fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences and the American Heart Association, Dr Johanne Tremblay has authored more than 300 scientific papers on diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and personalized medicine. Dr Tremblay chaired the program committees of the first and second Congress on Personalized Health Care in Montreal with the participation of scientists from more than 25 countries.
ABOUT DR MARTIN GODBOUT, OC, PhD Chief Executive Officer of OPTITHERA
Dr Godbout was the President and CEO of Genome Canada between 2000 and 2010. For more than 30 years, he has actively participated in the launch of several biotech companies in Canada.
ABOUT THE CHUM RESEARCH CENTRE (CRCHUM)
The Centre de recherche du Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM) is one of the main hospital research centres in North America. Its mission is to improve adult health through a continuum of research covering disciplines such as basic sciences, clinical research, and public health.
More than 1850 people work at the CRCHUM, including more than 550 researchers and more than 460 post-graduate students. chumontreal.qc.ca/crchum
ABOUT OPTITHERA
OPTITHERA was founded in 2014 by the Société de valorisation du CHUM and Dr Pavel Hamet. OPTITHERA is a precision medicine company focusing on the development and clinical applications of innovative technologies for the benefits of patients with diabetes. By combining genomic data with artificial intelligence, OPTITHERA has developed a new and simple genetic health risk test that is a decision-aid tool for healthcare providers treating patients with type 2 diabetes.
