In Bullet Point News' second Mental Health Spotlight, Sue Morrison, a certified addiction and mental health counsellor based in Stouffville, delves into the topic of understanding and overcoming addiction. Sue Morrison practices at White Brick Therapy in Stouffville, and her expertise contributes to a healthier, more supportive community for those navigating the complex landscape of mental health.
Watch short clips of Sue's interview, and read more about our Mental Health Spotlight at https://stouffville.bulletpointnews.ca/community-life/understanding-addiction/
Sue Morrison White Brick Therapy
#stouffville #stouffvilletherapy #addiction #counselling #therapy #mentalhealth
#mentalhealthawareness
In the first edition of Bullet Point News' Mental Health Spotlight, Sue Morrison, a certified addiction and mental health counsellor based in Stouffville, delves into the topic of post-pandemic anxiety and loneliness. Sue Morrison practices at White Brick Therapy in Stouffville, and her expertise contributes to a healthier, more supportive community for those navigating the complex landscape of mental health.
Watch short clips of Sue's interview, and read more about our Mental Health Spotlight at https://stouffville.bulletpointnews.ca/community-life/sue-morrison/
Sue Morrison White Brick Therapy
Watch short clips of Kiera Colligan, a 13-year-old student at Stouffville Christian School, who claimed two championships at the Trilogy Combined Test Series Grand Championships last weekend. Read for more details at https://stouffville.bulletpointnews.ca/sports/kiera-colligan/
Kiera Colligan
#stouffville #equestrian #championship #dressage #showjumping #sports #horses #training #horseriding
- Stouffville’s blood donor clinic is Saturday, June 10 at Canadian Mar Thoma Church, 159 Sandiford Drive.
- Appointments still available and walk-ins are welcome too!
- One hour of your life can save somebody else’s.
#shinealight #canadslifeline #stouffvillestrong #stouffville
- Ontario, as a whole, is becoming increasingly cost-prohibitive for newer buyers, and Stouffville is no different: housing prices have risen nearly 125% over the last ten years.
- The ongoing lack of inventory is critical, as the market struggles to provide opportunities for younger Canadians to purchase homes.
- “If there’s enough inventory, there’s more of a chance for the younger generation to get their foot into something—even if it’s a condo,” Dolores Trentadue told us.
- With ever increasing immigration, continued low unemployment, and a dearth of affordable and purpose built rental housing, prices are expected to continue rising for renters and prospective buyers.
- Older Canadians are also staying in their homes longer as they struggle to find downsizing options, further limiting inventory traditionally freed up for new buyers.
- Multi-generational family homes are becoming more common. “Before, it’s bringing in Grandma and Grandpa. Now, the kids are getting married and they’re coming back home,” Sonya explained.
- For prospective buyers, Dolores and Sonya see interest rates remaining steady with a small drop possible in 2024.
- They recommend buyers have financing in order and be prepared for fewer conditions in competitive bidding scenarios.
- "But don’t overextend yourself because you’re desperate to find a place,” Sonya added.
- Local expertise and market understanding are crucial. For sellers, staging and marketing can go a long way to maximizing value.
- “Aligning yourself with a local realtor is very important,” Dolores advises. “No one knows that area better.”
#stouffvillerealtor #stouffvilleontario #stouffvillehouses #realestate #housingmarket #newbuyer #localrealestate #localrealtor #stouffvillehomes
- A large crowd attended Monday night’s York Catholic District School Board (YCDSB) meeting with the possible raising of the Progress Pride flag at YCDSB offices on the agenda.
- Police and security were again present following months of contentious delegations, debate, audience interruption, and protest at YCDSB board meetings.
- The motion to raise the flag at YCDSB offices was brought by student trustees Anthea Peta-Dragos & Jonah James.
- They described fellow 2SLGBTQIA+ students as suffering “intense discrimination and are disadvantaged in their education.” They believe flying the flag signals a “safe, inclusive, and equitable” environment for all YCDSB students.
- Catholic Bishop Ronald Fabbro of London, Ontario, recently spoke against raising the flag, saying it causes confusion in the minds of the faithful.
- Multiple Trustees highlighted a need for the YCDSB to do more for 2SLGBTQIA+ students, however many see the flying of the Progress Pride flag as a source of division and not a comprehensive solution.
- Aurora, King, Whitchurch-Stouffville Trustee Elizabeth Crowe addressed many common concerns surrounding the flag raising in her speech.
- “Some have argued that the cross and Canadian flag should be enough to show we are welcoming and inclusive … perhaps in an ideal world that would be true,” Crowe said.
- “We expect that our teachers…will follow our Catholic religious and family life curriculum that is approved by the Bishops,” Crowe continued. “But that does not mean we abrogate our responsibility for the physical health, mental health, and safety of all our students: we must be both pious, but must also be pragmatic.”
- The motion to fly the Progress Pride flag at YCDSB offices failed to pass in a 6-4 vote against.
- Theresa McNicol, Angela Saggese, Maria Iafrate, Michaela Barbieri, Frank Alexander, and Joseph DiMeo voted against; Elizabeth Crowe, Carol Cotton, Angela Grella, and Jennifer Wigston were in favour.
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- Grade 12 Stouffville District Secondary School (SDSS) student John Paul Colligan won by unanimous decision after a 3-round Muay Thai fight at Etobicoke’s Rizzo Banquet Hall.
- 18 year-old Colligan overpowered his 28 year-old opponent with a multitude of powerful punches and heavy kicks.
- His opponent was knocked down four times throughout the fight, and the referee called two stops to the contest to ensure his opponent could continue.
- After landing a bruising left hook at the end of the second round, Colligan’s opponent was “out on his feet,” according to a fan. “He was saved by the bell,” they added.
- The fights were presented by Muay Thai Ontario, Mickey’s Fight Company, and were part of the Canadian Muay Thai League.
- Jonathon Morrison, another Grade 12 SDSS student pictured below in a t-shirt alongside Colligan, also competed but lost.
- Colligan and Morrison are members of Richmond Hill Muay Thai and are coached by “Kru” Ryan James, a former Canadian National Champion.
- Muay Thai, often referred to as kickboxing, is a combat sport that emphasizes personal development through martial arts.
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#stouffville #forstouffville #whitchurchstouffville #muaythai
- With a Legacy Fund grant and benches donated by the Town, The Stouffville Chamber of Commerce called on local artists to submit public art proposals meant to celebrate Stouffville’s ethnic diversity.
- Four artists from York Region were selected to transform a park bench for placement along Main Street.
- Christie Shen’s bench at 6240 Main presents overlapping sound waves of the phrase “we belong here,” spoken in languages such as Ojibway, Urdu, Cantonese, and Tagalog.
- “The waves flow in layers, like a ripple effect that continuously expands outward,” Shen said of her work. "Much like languages and people, Stouffville will continue to develop new layers and evolve, always moving forward.”
- Marianne Botros dedicated her bench at 6252 Main Street to Stouffville’s Egyptian population.
- Derived from the ancient Egyptian concept of the afterlife, “the bench is designed to welcome the elders (past) who built the old town, be ready for youth (present), and expand for upcoming generations (future),” Botros says.
- “The bench invites moments of pondering, conversation, reflection and rest,” Sophia Yeh-Chau and Samuel Peter said of their benches in the Main Street Gazebo.
- “We hope to tie into the current ever-growing community of Stouffville, which is diverse in culture, food, traditions and languages,” they added.
- "We were inspired by the fantastic submissions we received,” said Karen Wootton, The Stouffville Chamber of Commerce Executive Director. “The finished products add beautiful splashes of colour and artistic flare to the Village.”
#stouffville #FORstouffville #yorkregionarts
-May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to educate and reduce stigmas surrounding mental health challenges while encouraging individuals to seek support as needed.
-To learn more, Bullet Point News sat down with Suzan Morrison, a certified addiction counsellor in Stouffville.
“I think it’s really important for people to feel enabled and empowered to tell their story,” Morrison says. “Just being able to talk about oneself is very healing.”
-Morrison emphasized the importance of understanding and accepting challenges others may be facing. “It’s important that everyone gets educated…and learns patience, tolerance, and kindness with one another.”
-Addiction can follow those struggling with anxiety and depression, underscoring the need to proactively address mental health challenges.
-Morrison encourages parents to adopt a similar perspective with their children: kids should feel free to speak their mind and express feelings, and parents should avoid judgment and offer unconditional love.
-COVID-19 restrictions also led to increased mental health challenges, especially in young people, due to resulting isolation. “People need people. We need connection and we need community.”
-While Morrison discussed various professional options, including psychologists, psychiatrists, and counsellors, she says speaking with anyone can be helpful.
-“Anyone can listen… It could be a friend, a family member, anyone who is going to be non-judgmental” Morrison explains. “More of us need to be counsellors without the title.”
-Morrison recommends practicing mindfulness and living in the moment. “Looking back can lead to depression, looking forward leads to anxiety. Living in today gives us peace and serenity.”
-For more information, visit www.whitebricktherapy.com
- The rain did not stop the residents of Stouffville from enjoying the kickoff of the Town’s summer events season with fireworks presented by the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville.
- The rain tapered off just as the fireworks started.
Hosted on Friday in Memorial Park for the first long weekend of the summer, in previous years the event was hosted in Ballantrae.
- Residents arrived early to a packed Memorial Park with umbrellas and lawn chairs to watch the entertainment on the covered stage, and lined up for face painting.
- Entertainment included music, a Bubble Show and a Glow Show.
- Guests could purchase snacks from a limited number of vendors and a food truck, while light-up toys were for sale at every point of entry.
- Many residents stayed dry by watching the fireworks display in their vehicles but that contributed towards long traffic delays along Main Street and Hoover Park Drive. Nevertheless, resident Kemayla Fleming said, “It really was fun and spirits were high.”
#stouffville #FORstouffville #victoriadayweekend
- According to a recent analysis by the Toronto Star, Stouffville’s average home prices rose by 5.1% from March to April.
- The average price for a local home now sits at $1.4 million, as active listings decreased by nearly 20% compared to April 2022.
- Local realtors Dolores Trentadue and Sonya Torres of the Trentadue Torres Group joined Bullet Point News to share their insights.
- Dolores explained that many people were waiting for housing prices to drop following recent interest rate hikes, but the resulting correction was minor and concluded by the end of 2022.
- "Buyers are coming out and realizing that interest rates went up, but it’s not that bad,” Dolores says.
#stouffvillerealtor #stouffvillerealestate #stouffville #FORstouffville #townofws
- 100 Women Who Care - Stouffville meets quarterly, and members nominate charities for consideration. Members then vote to select the next organization they will support, and each member donates $100.
- “We are trying to support organizations that are either in Stouffville…or have a direct an impact on the residents of Stouffville,” Founder, Heather Rogers, told us.
- The format gives busy community members a convenient opportunity to give locally, and the group has donated nearly $230,000 to local charities since 2014.
- 12-year-old Estelle does her own fundraising, recently selling cookies to help support the Whitchurch Stouffville Food Bank.
- "I like helping out and seeing how it makes a difference in the world,” Estelle proclaimed.
- Heather and Estelle also volunteer at Care and Share, and they both love doing whatever they can to make a positive impact in their community.
- “Stouffville is a pretty special place, with pretty special people and pretty special organizations,” Heather said. “I hope that we can inspire other women in our community to give back.”
#stouffville #townofws #volunteer #100womenwhocare #FORstouffville
