Cluttered pearls: The stigma of hoardingOh, how the world loves a freak. Call it what you like: collecting; hoarding. The way we look at someone whose space has filled up with stuff is judgmental. It has long mystified me that many are not able to see this behaviour as a serious emotional illness. But attitudes are beginning to change. The […] Continue Reading |
The prophets of local non-profitsWhenever I read the next great mental-health study or report, I’m reminded of a scene in The Life of Brian. Brian is about to be crucified, propelling lover Judith into action. She charges into their Judean rebel group’s board meeting, shouting, “Do something!” The president, Reg, played to perfection by John Cleese, nods enthusiastically and […] Continue Reading |
Charity event transforms regular people into boxersImagine having no combat skills and getting put into a boxing ring to duke it out. Imagine waking up every weekday morning and training at 6 am for two months straight to prepare for your big fight. That’s exactly what contenders in a local charity event called Fight 4 the Cause do. We spoke with […] Continue Reading |
Child war-art exhibition opens eyes and mindsImagine a childhood where you fall asleep every night wondering if you’ll wake up alive, praying that your home will not be targeted, and fearing what you’ll have to face the next day. Imagine waking up every morning and looking out your window to see dead bodies, bullets flying, bombs in the air, and looks […] Continue Reading |
International students struggle with cultural challengesSure, being a postsecondary student has its difficulties. But just imagine how difficult it can be to be in foreign land as a postsecondary student. Camosun College currently has over 600 international students from over 45 countries with numbers continuing to rise. And as those students know, it’s not always easy transitioning to life in […] Continue Reading |
Halloween: Embracing fears and personasHalloween originated as a holiday called All Hallow’s Eve, which celebrated the evening before All Hallow’s, which was a Christian holiday. All Hallow’s Eve embraced Pagan traditions and honouring the dead, and over time it has gotten a reputation for embracing the ghouls, ghosts, and other dark spooks of the world. With scary movies and […] Continue Reading |
Writers talk about the process behind the wordsWriting is a versatile form of communication. Writing is a way of sharing information from one source to another and, depending on execution, can signify something much deeper than words on a surface. Getting a particular message out correctly in writing can be difficult because it takes using certain words in a certain way to […] Continue Reading |
Childhood cancer survivor cycles Vancouver IslandAfter 14 years of having Tour de Rock support sending him to Camp Goodtimes, 20-year-old cancer survivor Matt Webb now has the opportunity to send other young cancer fighters to the same camp as a junior rider on the Tour de Rock 2012 team. Tour de Rock raises money for pediatric cancer research and programs […] Continue Reading |
DOTS never gives up on helping the suicidalThere are two major problems with treating mental illnesses. It’s often invisible, and it’s nearly impossible to prove that someone suffers from a mental illness. At least that’s according to Development of Treatment Services (DOTS) president Jean Oliver. And she should know, having been through the horror of suicidal urges herself. “It’s very difficult to […] Continue Reading |
Why you shouldn’t tell American border guards you’re in Islamic StudiesMONTREAL (CUP) — On May 1, 2010, Pascal Abidor was riding an Amtrak train from Montreal to New York. His parents live in Brooklyn, and he was on his way to visit them. The school year at McGill had just ended, and he felt relieved and calm as the train rolled south towards America. At […] Continue Reading |
