Living and Working Conditions

Relationships

Stay Social

Being part of a supportive circle of family and friends who care for and respect each other protects against isolation and depression and can help improve your mood.

By participating in your community — joining clubs, volunteering for causes that are important to you, voting, learning about your community’s history, attending public events, or following current affairs — you can actively contribute to making your community a healthier place to live, work, study, and play. A sense of belonging — being known and having relationships with people — is good for your health. It makes you feel better to have someone to tell about the events of your life; it makes you healthier to be involved — with your children’s schools, with your faith communities, or with others who enjoy similar activities.

Living with Abuse

Violence, trauma, sexual abuse, and other forms of abuse affect our health and can have long term impacts on physical and mental health. They also have a greater impact on women than men. For example, women are more likely than men to experience violence from people they know, including intimate partners. Some women worry about their children’s and their own safety because home is not a safe place. Violence and trauma can impact physical and mental health in the short and long term.

Intimate partner violence is a pattern of physical, sexual, or emotional violence. It uses power and control. If your partner has used physical, verbal, emotional, or sexual abuse in the past, this may get worse if you become pregnant or after you have a baby. You are not the only one at risk if your partner abuses you. Your baby is also at risk. Do not feel ashamed. It is not your fault.

If you are in a violent or abusive relationship, there are resources that can help you. When violence happens, get help. In case of emergency, call 9‑1‑1 or the operator and ask for police.

VictimLINK is a province wide telephone help line for victims of family and sexual violence and all other crimes. VictimLINK operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and provides service in 130 languages. It will help you find information on the victim services closest to you.

Phone toll free: 1-800-563-0808.
For deaf and hearing impaired assistance (TTY): 604-875-0885.

A transition house may be available in your area. If you need to escape from intimate partner violence, transition houses provide safe shelter for women, with or without children. The BC Society of Transition Houses provides information on transition houses across BC. Visit the British Columbia Society of Transition Houses website for more information.

You can also talk to your health care provider about your situation. She or he will put you in touch with the right resources. For a list of resources, click here.