Monica Hogan BScKin
186 Hampton Road Quispamsis, NB, Canada

Resources at bottom - feel free to share! Suicide and mental illness affect people every single day. People you are friends with, your family, your coworkers. Everyone is affected by mental illness. #suicidepreventionsj is so much more than Yellow Shirt Day. It’s a fight every single day. Be Kind ... Thanks Align KV Wellness Clinic for the awesome shirt! Here are some resources you can share: Suicide Hotline and Text Line: Call 1-833-456-4566 (24/7) Text 45645 (4pm until midnight) https://www.crisisservicescanada.ca/en/ CHIMO helpline: 1-800-667-5005 Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868 https://kidshelpphone.ca Phone, text, messenger & resources Saint John Suicide Prevention Hope for Wellness Indigenous Helpline and on line chat 1-855-242-3310 or https://www.hopeforwellness.ca/ Warning Signs & NB resources https://www2.gnb.ca//depart/health/Suicide_Prevention.html Canadian Mental Health Association of New Brunswick Programs in the SJ Region https://cmhanb.ca/category/saint-john-programs/ Addiction Services & Mental Health in SJ https://en.horizonnb.ca//saint-john-addiction-and-mental-h Please reach out for help, there are professionals who can help you. There is hope. You can get through this

I’ll be wearing my yellow shirt tomorrow

#BellLetsTalk about mental health! The more we talk about mental health, the more you realize EVERYONE is affected by mental illness. Things I find personally help improve my mental health: Taking care of your physical health - I have a team of an Osteopath, acupuncturist, physician, massage therapist and chiropractor to keep me going! Physical health is intimately intertwined with mental health (I could rant about this but I’ll save that ) Writing down one positive thing... per day - this doesn’t have to be a huge event (had a great napcounts) Connecting with friends & family - this could even be a simple text message Getting fresh air Hanging out with my dog Eating yummy food & drinking enough water These are some complementary suggestions, but seek medical help to manage mental illness. Same as you would physical illness! Extra info - I give people Diaphragmatic Breathing and Progressive Muscle Contraction Relaxation exercises to people very very often to help mitigate symptoms of anxiety, insomnia and more. Check out these resources https://www.verywellmind.com/how-do-i-practice-progressive- https://wellness.mcmaster.ca/to/mindfulness-and-relaxation/ I chose this photo because it represents pure happiness for me. Outside with friends and family being active. (Note this picture was not the end of the hike )

Some great news for our zone - back to orange we go tonight! To celebrate, take advantage and #exploreNB. Some tips: Download an app (I love AllTrails) or visit Hiking NB to get inspired Meet a friend! In orange you can still walk with a friend outside, wear a mask if within 2m. **Bonus: masks keep your face warm Bring a snack to keep you going, hot chocolate is always nice too! Even getting out for just 15 minutes has benefits for your mental & physical health!... * try to disconnect and just enjoy nature. I’m holding my phone as I am always taking photos! Mostly of my dog.

Lucky to keep learning through the pandemic! This month’s topic is Bladder & Obstetrics Lots of learning about: Pelvic Floor Dysfunction Women’s Health Incontinence... and more! See more