We often get so busy we forget to take care of ourselves and end up having too much stress in our lives. Most of us can relate to this reality. This is why SEIU-West is celebrating International Self-Care Day! This day is earmarked for us to take time for ourselves.

There are many definitions of Self-Care. Something simple like visiting your doctor is also considered to be self-care. Here is a definition provided by World Health Organization: ‘Self-Care is what people do for themselves to establish and maintain health, and to prevent and deal with illness. It is a broad concept encompassing hygiene (general and personal), nutrition (type and quality of food eaten), lifestyle (sporting activities, leisure etc.), environmental factors (living conditions, social habits, etc.) socio-economic factors (income level, cultural beliefs, etc.) and self-medication.’ For more information on Self-Care you can visit the official website of the International Self-Care Foundation.

Here are seven pillars of Self-Care provided by International Self-Care Foundation:

1. Health literacy – includes: the capacity of individuals to obtain, process and understand basic health information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions;
2. Mental wellbeing, Self-awareness & Agency – includes: knowing your body mass index (BMI), cholesterol level, blood pressure, and engaging in health screening;
3. Physical activity – practicing moderate intensity physical activity such as walking, cycling, or participating in sports at a desirable frequency;
4. Healthy eating – includes: having a nutritious, balanced diet with appropriate levels of calorie intake;
5. Risk avoidance or mitigation – includes: quitting tobacco, limiting alcohol use, getting vaccinated, practicing safe sex, using sunscreens;
6. Good hygiene – includes: washing hands regularly, brushing teeth, and washing food; and
7. Rational and responsible use of products, services, diagnostics and medicines – includes: being aware of dangers, using responsibly when necessary.

Contest!

To celebrate International Self-Care Day, SEIU-West is inviting you to participate in this word search puzzle! Send the complete puzzle to [email protected] and be entered to win tickets to the Regina Folk Festival 2018. There cannot be anything better than Self-Care through music.

The deadline to enter into the ticket draw is August 3^rd! One winner will be selected to receive a pair of tickets for a fun weekend at the festival, so make sure you send in those completed puzzles before the deadline!

SEIU-West is excited to announce our new billboard campaign. You will be able to find the new billboards across the whole province of Saskatchewan. This is why we are launching a Selfie/Photo contest. All you have to do is to find one of our billboards and take a selfie or ask a friend to take a picture with you in front of the billboard.

Just keep in mind while participating that safety comes first - be careful, especially on the roads!

This contest is a summer long contest, where we will announce winners every week! We have some exciting giveaway prizes that include concert tickets, Co-Op gift cards, and all of our contest winners are SEIU-West members! So bring out your selfie game!

The deadline to enter is September 26! 

Today we celebrate the freedom to choose or not to choose having a family. Family Planning is a Human Right is the theme for the United Nations 2018 World Population Day.

The main focus is to ensure that everyone has access to quality information about reproductive health including but not limited to birth control, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) pre- and post-natal care, birthing process, adoption, and other family planning matters.

World Health Day: PAAC Contest!

For the week of November 5-11, SEIU-West asks that we consider the important role our Medical Radiation Technologists (MRTs) and all Diagnostic Imaging Technologists play within the health care team.

The work of a Diagnostic Imaging Technologist is vital for quality patient care. They perform imaging and radiation-related therapy, which is essential if you want an accurate diagnosis and an appropriate treatment plan. These technologists deliver safe and professional care by relying on the important skills and experience they’ve gained in their line of work and from their ongoing professional development – and their work is diverse!

They prepare and assess patients, insert and maintain IVs, prepare and use sophisticated computer software and equipment, perform diagnostic procedures, monitor patients during therapeutic procedures, administer contrast media and so much more!

All members of the health care team have been standing in front of the SAHO and government train that is determined to drive over them and make cuts to our public health care services providers and the system.

Technologists have recently been hit with a new, individualized and targeted cut due to education institution program changes and the shortcomings of our JJE program. They are the third family of classifications that have heard such bad news.

SEIU-West (together with CUPE and SGEU) has repeatedly asked SAHO to stop implementing these cuts and begin good faith negotiations to fix the shortcomings of the program through negotiations….but we cannot get this train to stop. We need your help to pull the emergency brake!

We are planning days of action to stop all the cuts…

Monday, November 6, 2017:

Let’s do a phone zap to our MLA’s. Make the message very clear.

–              Technologists have been on the hard to recruit list since July of 2010.

–              Vacancies cannot be filled now.

–              So how will cutting wage rates help? It will only amplify this issue.

–              Instead, let’s invest in a robust public health care system that can truly be patient first; one with safe staffing levels and fairly compensated staff who feel valued and respected for their professional skills.

Tuesday, November 7, 2017:

‘Who Wants to Meet?’ day for all MRTs and other Diagnostic Imaging Technologists. We have asked for info from the JJEMC assistant and we want to have a meeting once it has been received after November 7, 2017. Email [email protected] with your name, cell phone and email address. We will add your name and contact info to our list of invitees for a meeting that you will be able to join in person or by teleconference during which we will discuss:

–              how we got here (what are the shortcomings of the JJE program)

–              what we need to do to fix our problem

–              answer your many questions

–              strategize on how we share our info with others

–              the negative consequence of continuing to allow our government and health sector employers to run with scissors, making rampant cuts to our system without regard for the consequences.

Wednesday, November 8, 2017:

Talk to a friend about the many layers of cuts that face Technologists day. From being overworked to the consequences of the current pay band decreases to the 3.5% proposed cut and the impact this would have on our health care system. Tell them what you do for a living and how important Technologists are to the public health care team.

Thursday, November 9, 2017:

Send a letter to the Minister of Health, Jim Reiter and Minister of Rural and Remote Health, Greg Ottenbreit. We have an online letter writing campaign and a PDF printable version here to help you out.

Share widely with your contacts and get them to participate as well.

Friday, November 10, 2017:

Send us a photo of a group shot of MRTs that participated in MRT week of action!

Every action you do equals another entry into a prize draw so let us know! Email [email protected] to be entered to win!

EXTENDED DEADLINE: MAY 16

Click on the image above for a downloadable PDF file.