Valentine Smyth

Get better Together

Denise Payment, Member of Wellness Committee

“Chronic disease self-management doesn’t have to be a solo endeavor.” Amy Yonda, coordinator of Get Better Together Programs in Manitoba has seen what this program can offer to individuals.

Many individuals live with silent or visible chronic issues. This could be depression, anxiety, arthritis, diabetes, movement challenges, colitis, etc. Perhaps it is more prevalent in the retirement years. There are physical, emotional, mental and spiritual challenges.

Get Better Together is a provincial, free program that you may have considered or maybe have not heard of. It is a course from Stanford University and has been adapted for Canada. A reference book (Cdn) is given to all participants. The program is offered in various areas in Manitoba as well as online. (courses beginning this fall) The six week course is presented in a group setting, includes goal setting and social support. The course is peer led by trained individuals and leaders. Being a leader, I can share that GBT is a positive, empowering, experience and I recommend it for anyone wanting to create positive change for themselves. You will discover resources available to you in Manitoba. Knowledge is power. §

PLEASE READ THE PAMPHLET INCLUDED AS WELL AS CONTACT NUMBERS IN YOUR AREA.

www.sogh.ca/wellness/get-better-together RHA contacts are: • Prairie Mountain Health South : Sydney Bernard, sbernard@pmh-mb.ca , 204-523-3224 • Prairie Mountain Health North: Deb Wilson, dwilson@pmh-mb.ca , 204-937-7522 • Southern Health Santé Sud: Sabrina Turgeon, sturgeon@southernhealth.ca, 204-870-0629 • Interlake Eastern RHA West: Jay Adam, jadam@ierha.ca, 204-886-4316 • Interlake Eastern RHA East: Robyn Laurie, rlaurie@ierha.ca, 204-444-6142 • Northern RHA The Pas and Flin Flon: Christa

McIntyre, Cmcintyre2@nrha.ca, 204-681-3145 • Churchill: Jason Nault, jnault@wrha-ch.ca, 204-675-8360 Two GBT online programs are running this year: - September 14 – October 29 - February 1 – March 17 Registration is done by visiting www. getbettertogether.ca and clicking on the link to GBT online

Valentine smyth

Val was a director or RTAM 1999 – 2001 and 2010 – 2011.

Valentine Smyth peacefully, after a lengthy battle with cancer, passed away on June 9, 2015 at the Riverview Health Centre.

She began her teaching career in Neepawa, then returned to Winnipeg to teach at Sisler High School. She went back to work with the Winnipeg School Division in 1970, and worked as a guidance counsellor, then as an administrator in several schools until she retired from her position as Principal of Isaac Brock in 1997. §