The holiday season is a time of family joy, reconciliation and dreams coming true. But this magical picture is not a reality for many of us. In fact, holidays can be a source of great stress. Love, fellowship, togetherness and giving have become the hallmarks of the holiday season. But what if you are not able to be around people and feel you have nothing to give?

Who Suffers Holiday Stress?
Many Canadians find it difficult to conform to this so-called ?spirit of the season?. For those who have no regular companionship, those who are isolated, and those who are marking unhappy anniversaries (i.e., death, divorce, bankruptcy, job loss, etc.) it can be an agonizing time of year. They can easily feel lost, lonely or forgotten among the busy-ness of the season.

One?s financial burden tends to increase substantially due to the pressures of buying gifts, entertaining, travel, and the like. For low income individuals and families, this is particularly difficult as they may find themselves in deeper debt or feeling inadequate for not being able to provide or participate in festivities as much as they would like.

Eating, drinking and parties have become virtually synonymous with the holiday season. While many people complain about expanding waistlines, there are many others for whom these temptations are far greater than just a nuisance. Individuals who have alcohol abuse problems are faced with not only seasonal stressors, but also an abundance of alcohol. The combination may be......Read Article

Health Minister Ujjal Dosanjh has announced that the government of Canada will establish a Canadian Mental Health Commission, in consultation with the provinces and territories and stakeholders.

Read BCPA's Press Release


Read Ujjal Dosanjh's Press Release here.

Highest Achievement in Psychology Student Awards
UBC - Mr. Jason Chang
SUF - Ms. Laura Failows
UVIC - Mr. Brian Smith

Provincial Humanitarian Efforts Commendation
Dr. Giuseppe Multari

Practice of the Profession - Parke O. Davidson Award
Dr. Josef Zaide

Excellence in Teaching - Donald Sampson Award
Dr. Lorne Prupas

Scientist-Practitioner Award
Dr. Steven Taylor

Advancement of the Profession of Psychology - Elizabeth Huntsman Award (Inaugural Year)
Dr. Carol Macpherson

International Humanitarian Efforts Commendation
D. Yaya de Andrade

The British Columbia Psychological Association is a proud endorser of Beyond the Blues: Depression Anxiety Screening and Education Day

Details coming soon! The Annual General Meeting is an opportunity for all members to come out and meet your Board, hear the latest financial information and learn about the activities of the Association over the past year.

Please take the Senate Survey on Mental Health at the Senate Committee on Mental Health Website. Express your opinion about the lack of proper publicly funded psychological services. The contact information is: Josée Thérien Committee Clerk / Greffière de Comité Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology / Comité sénatorial permanent des Affaires sociales, des sciences et de la technologie 40 Élgin, Edifice Chambers Building, Suite 1037 Ottawa, Ont. K1A 0A4 Tel.: (613) 990-6080 1-800-267-7362 Fax: (613) 947-2104