Cliff delivered a really informative and engaging online workshop to our group of youth participants (ages 15-30 years old). The youth really enjoyed the visualization exercises and interactive stress management activities and techniques. Cliff does a fantastic job of connecting with participants through an online platform (which is no easy task!) and making the workshop content relevant and applicable to our current everyday life. We hope to have Cliff back again soon to deliver his Online Stress Busters workshop to our next group of youth.
J. Panesar – Job Developer/Facilitator, YMCA of Greater Vancouver
Stress is the body’s natural way of responding to perceived danger, a threat, or call to action. Your nervous system responds by releasing a flood of stress hormones which prepares the body for emergency action. This instinctive, and rapid process is known as the “Fight or Flight” response.
The more your “Fight or Flight” response is activated, the easier it becomes to trigger and the harder to shut off. Chronic distress can disrupt nearly every system in your body and can leave you vulnerable to numerous physical and mental health problems. That’s why it’s so important to adjust the way you think through stressful circumstances, and practice strategies that help you relax.
STRESS BUSTERS is an educational, virtual training about living healthier with stress. It’s through the lens and from the perspective of a nature-based practitioner. During this training, learn self-help techniques and strategies to help you live healthier with stress and build stress resilience.
Email Cliff to schedule a STRESS BUSTERS for your organization.
If you are experiencing a mental health EMERGENCY or CRISIS,
- call 911, go to the nearest emergency room or follow the emergency instructions provided by your doctor, mental health professional or care team. If your community has a mental health car, you can call 911 to request it.
- call 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) to get help right away, any time of day or night. It’s a free call.
If you are in distress,
- call 310-6789 (do not add 604, 778 or 250 before the number) 24 hours a day to connect to a BC crisis line, without a wait or busy signal. The crisis lines linked in through 310-6789 have received advanced training in mental health issues and services by members of the BC Partners for Mental Health and Addictions Information.
For children and youth aged 5 to 20,
- call Kid’s Help Phone at 1-800-668-6868 to speak to a professional counsellor, 24 hours a day. It’s free, confidential, anonymous and available across Canada. They can also refer you to local services and resources. Kid’s Help Phone is available in English and French.
In a mental health NON-EMERGENCY,
- visit heretohelp.bc.ca for info sheets and personal stories about mental illnesses.
- call 811 or visit http://www.healthlinkbc.ca to access free, non-emergency health information for anyone in your family, including mental health information. Through 811, you can also speak to a registered nurse about symptoms you’re worried about, or talk with a pharmacist about medication questions.
- call BC Alcohol and Drug Information and Referral Service at 1-800-663-1441 (or 604-660-9382 in Greater Vancouver) to talk to someone about substance use. They can also connect you with local substance use resources. It’s available 24 hours a day.
©Cliff Thorbes 2023
Cliff Thorbes, Horticultural Therapist - Registered (HTR) 