Learn more about depression, anxiety and risky drinking and the range of support in your community during the 15th annual Beyond the Blues: Depression Anxiety Education and Screening Day. It's happening October 8th at more than 60 events across BC. Events feature lots of interactivity and are free, drop-in, and anonymous. For locations and info, see our events page or call 1-866-917-HOPE.

Thanks to the Provincial Language Service, of the Provincial Health Services Authority, 9 new fact sheets are now available in both traditional and simplified Chinese! These fact sheets cover topics on child and youth mental health, such as Healthy Thinking for Younger Children and Mental Disorders in Children and Youth. See our Other Languages section to find fact sheets about mental health and addiction in nearly a dozen languages. Watch for even more fact sheets to come in the Other Languages section.

This issue of Visions: BC's Mental Health and Addictions Journal examines the controversial role of cannabis in society, both on its own as a substance and in the broader context of mental health. You will read many different perspectives on cannabis use and supporting research that present a more complex view of cannabis than the black and white extremes. You will hear the experiences of people who have found solace in the healing properties of cannabis, and of those who have found cannabis detrimental to their mental and physical health.

Thanks to the Provincial Language Service, of the Provincial Health Services Authority, 9 fact sheets are now available in Punjabi! These fact sheets cover topics on child and youth mental health, such as Healthy Thinking for Younger Children and Mental Disorders in Children and Youth. See our Other Languages section to find fact sheets about mental health and addiction in nearly a dozen languages. Watch for even more fact sheets to come in the Other Languages section.

Several new factsheets have just been posted online. These new sheets are more user-friendly in both look and content.

Check out the results from Beyond the Blues: Depression Anxiety Education and Screening Day 2008. Over 3600 British Columbians attended more than 60 sites around the province, marking the 14th anniversary of the event. Read the final report for results of depression and anxiety screens and more, as well as to learn more about the annual event.

We've made a few changes to the HeretoHelp website and to Visions magazine as a response to feedback, and would like to know how we're doing. We want to hear from Visions readers (in print or online), as well as your experience on HeretoHelp.bc.ca. Let us know what you think by May 31, 2009 and be entered into a draw for $100 to a store or retaurant in BC of your choice. It takes just a few minutes. Fill out the survey now!

Thanks to the Provincial Language Service, of the Provincial Health Services Authority, 10 of our brand new HeretoHelp 'Primer' fact sheets are now available in Japanese! See our Other Languages for the nearly dozen languages in which we now have mental health and addiction material available.

This issue of Visions: BC's Mental Health and Addictions Journal stirs new ground like no other issue has. If you identify yourself as Aboriginal, First Nation, Inuit or Metis, you will likely find much that resonates with you. If you don't indentify yourself that way, you will still learn a lot from this issue about the role of identity, culture, empowerment and community.