News & More

The Need for Mental Health Help is High – Will You Help Us Save Lives?

Posted on by Dawn Stilwell
Debb Pitel is the founder of No One Stands Alone – a non-profit in support of mental health.  What do we do here?  In a nutshell, we research local, first contact mental health agencies and compile them into a booklet that we make available to our communities, free for the taking, in many locations where you can grab one and go.  These booklets have a plethora of good information to help those who need mental health help and don’t know where to turn. Debb knows the frustration of not being able to easily find help when someone is struggling.  Over...Read More

Identifying the Signs of Depression

Posted on by Dawn Stilwell
These are taken from the National Institute of Mental Health. Identifying signs of Depression  If you have been experiencing some of the following signs and symptoms most of the day, nearly every day, for at least two weeks, you may be suffering from depression: Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” mood Feelings of hopelessness, or pessimism Feelings of irritability, frustration, or restlessness  Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities Decreased energy, fatigue, or feeling "slowed down" Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions Difficulty sleeping, early morning awakening, or oversleeping Changes in appetite or unplanned...Read More

Beat the Winter Blues, Lift Your Mood

Posted on by Dawn Stilwell
These “self-care” tips might help with seasonal depression. See a mental health professional if sadness doesn’t go away or interferes with your daily life: 1. Go to a movie, take a walk, go ice-skating or do other activities you normally enjoy. 2. Get out in the sunlight or brightly lit spaces, especially early in the day. 3. Try to spend time with other people and confide in a trusted friend or relative. 4. Eat nutritious foods, and avoid overloading on carbohydrates like cookies and candies. 5. Be patient. You won’t suddenly “snap out of” depression. Your mood will improve gradually....Read More

Debb Pitel and No One Stands Alone

Posted on by Dawn Stilwell
In this month’s article, let’s take a greater look at - Who is Debb Pitel?  Why No One Stands Alone? What is the mission of this non-profit? The mission of No One Stands Alone is simply this: Connecting community to care. It started with Debb’s journey and experience, which is outlined in her book, I’m Still Your Mom. In it,she speaks of her difficulties in navigating mental health resources for her son, Tyler, whom she desperately wanted to help.  At that time, her objective was to find those resources that would help her family. Although they were able to access...Read More

The Story Behind Three Oaks Cabin

Posted on by Dawn Stilwell
by Dawn Stilwell and Diane Bergsma The Bergsmas are a local farming family.  Al and Diane, once in the Air Force, took up farming and had five boys, Levi, Dustin, Dalles, Jordon, Jesse and two daughters, Charity and Brooklyn.  Dalles loved growing up on the farm, with the idea that he would grow up and be a farmer himself. That idea blossomed and Dalles bought his own farm at the age of 18.  He married his high school sweetheart, Michelle, and settled into life on the farm.  Over the years, they were able to expand their farm operations, and Michelle...Read More

Feature Story – Dealing with Anxiety

Posted on by Dawn Stilwell
By Katie As an introvert, I have always been quiet and shy. I don’t enjoy large crowds, and spending time with others leaves me drained. Small talk does not come easy to me, nor does talking to people in general. I have a small group of friends, but I’m okay with that. Overall, I was a fairly balanced kid in elementary and high school. Then came my first year to college. The anxiety I have dealt with in the past was nothing compared to the anxiety I had felt during my first year in college. Throughout my experience in college,...Read More

It’s Our One Year Anniversary!

Posted on by Dawn Stilwell
No One Stands Alone is celebrating our one-year anniversary!  It has been my (Debb Pitel) long time desire to see a guide to mental health resources and supports be made available to the community, and now that is finally a reality. I’ve known through my journey of trying to get help for my son Tyler, the struggle to find that help was very difficult. In a time when connecting to resources is critical, the frustration couldn’t weigh heavier in an already difficult situation.  This guide to local contacts has not only been supported, but there have been countless conversations in...Read More

Feature Story – Myles Neuts’ Make Children Better Now Association

Posted on by Dawn Stilwell
February 6, 1998 was a day that changed the lives of Mike and Brenda Neuts forever. Devastation struck their lives when their 10-year-old son, Myles, was found hanging on a coat hook in the washroom at his school during the lunch period. Sadly, Myles never went home again. What followed was a funeral, a police investigation and a coroner’s inquest where Mike and Brenda acted as their own legal counsel.  Their experiences during this time of loss and investigation gave this family greater insights into the lives, behaviours, issues and concerns of children. Out of this tragedy was birthed the...Read More
The Trades: Mental Health in the Pandemic

The Trades: Mental Health in the Pandemic

Posted on by Dawn Stilwell
It's no surprise that due to the pandemic, we have seen an increase in the number of people who struggle with mental health issues and illnesses over the course of the last two years.  Supply chain issues have caused employment insecurity, so workers question their ability to keep a roof over their head and food on the table.  Lockdowns and isolation have made people lonely and depressed. People fear for their loved ones’ health as well, as many of us now know someone personally who has had, or has died from, Covid.  Every demographic has had their share of woes...Read More

A Look at Grief

Posted on by Dawn Stilwell
By Dawn Stilwell This space on the website is usually where I write about someone else’s mental health story, but this month, I decided to share mine with you in the hopes of raising awareness about resources for grief that you may not know are available to you. My youngest sister Jennifer was diagnosed a year and a half ago with stage IV inflammatory breast cancer.  This kind of breast cancer is the worst kind to get; the five-year survival rate is only 1 in five.  Jen went through months of chemo, a radical mastectomy and then months of radiation...Read More