Mental Health

Side order of mental health from local coffee clubs
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - You can find one in just about every fast food joint or greasy spoon restaurant; A bunch of men, sometimes women, sitting around drinking coffee, shooting the bull — a coffee club for lack of a better name. If they don’t look like they’re in a hurry to be anywhere, it’s because they...

What many dementia patients have in common with the Enderby senior found dead last week
VERNON - More people are living independently with dementia instead of in care homes than you might think, says an Interior Health Authority doctor. That includes people like Barbara Derenowski, 73, who drove off from her Enderby home last week without a valid driver’s licence and was found dead days later on the side of...

This is why Penticton needs a detox centre
"THEY'RE NOT THROWAWAY PEOPLE." PENTICTON - A young man leaves a detox centre in Kelowna and heads home to Penticton—a taxi ride, a bus ride and walk away. His body is rid of the alcohol it was so dependent on only a week ago; now’s an opportunity for him to start fresh, get a job...

Clara Hughes to speak at TRU
KAMLOOPS - Clara Hughes, a mental health advocate and six-time Olympic medal winner in speed skating and cycling, will be speaking at Thompson Rivers University next week as as part of the President’s Lecture Series. Hughes’ speech, in which she will talk about her own experience with struggling with depression, will be held Nov. 20...

Vernon man arrested for splattering blood on Tim Hortons customers
VERNON - A man is in custody following a bizarre incident at a Vernon restaurant Saturday afternoon. Police say he was intentionally splattering people with his blood around 1:37 p.m. at the Tim Hortons on 58 Avenue near Walmart. “He had a cut on his hand and was just flicking blood... in the direction of...

Teens reclaim social media by spreading #cyberlove
PENTICTON - A couple of Summerland highschool students are encouraging their peers to spread the love online through a new campaign. Caitie Shaw and Dan Nixon started the #cyberlove campaign through the Youth Empowerment Project to connect with and empower youth all over the world to create positive change. The campaign kicks off on October 10—World...