It may be December, but that doesn’t mean it’s too late to get your flu shot. We traditionally think of the fall as flu season, but it actually lasts through winter and into early spring. If you haven’t yet gotten your flu shot, now is a great time to do so — especially if you will be spending time with your family this holiday season. Seniors and young children are at a higher risk of complications if they get the flu. By getting a flu shot, you’re protecting yourself as well as your friends and family.

Gianni Del Negro, a registered pharmacist at London Drugs, notes in the video below that influenza is a serious illness that can lead to complications requiring hospitalization, or can even lead to death. There were 302 influenza-associated deaths and 5,176 hospitalizations in Canada just last year.

The Health Agency of Canada recommends that everyone over the age of six months receive a flu shot, but it’s especially important for members of high risk groups such as:

• People over 65
• People with chronic medical conditions such as diabetes or asthma
• Health care workers who are in contact with high risk patients

Protect Yourself and Others from Influenza

Getting a flu shot is not just about protecting yourself, although that’s important too. Nobody wants to get the flu! Getting a flu shot reduces your risk of contracting the virus and passing it on to others.

For every flu shot administered at London Drugs this year, I Boost Immunity will donate a second vaccine to UNICEF Canada to protect a child in another country.  By getting a flu shot at London Drugs, you are taking care of your own health needs as well as providing life-saving vaccinations to children worldwide.

You Can’t Get the Flu from the Flu Vaccine

Since the flu vaccine does not contain the live flu virus, you cannot get the flu from the flu shot. You may experience some mild soreness or swelling at the injection site, but that passes quickly. There is a very small risk of an allergic reaction, but it is quite rare. If you have had the flu shot before without an allergic reaction, you should be fine.

Practice Good Hygiene

How else can you protect yourself from the flu? Well, apart from getting the flu shot, it’s all about practicing good hygiene. Wash your hands frequently, sneeze or cough into your elbow instead of your hands, dispose of used tissues promptly, and keep your immune system strong by eating well and staying physically active.

Flu shots are available seven days a week by appointment or on a walk-in basis at any London Drugs location. To learn more about the flu shot, visit LondonDrugs.com/flu

Mental illnesses affect everyone in some way. We all likely know someone who has experienced a mental illness at some point. Yet there are still many hurtful attitudes around mental illnesses that fuel stigma and discrimination and make it harder to reach out for help.

Here are ten common myths and facts!

Myth #1: Mental illnesses aren’t real illnesses.

Fact: Mental illnesses are not the regular ups and downs of life. Mental illnesses create distress, don’t go away on their own, and are real health problems with effective treatments. When someone breaks their arm, we wouldn’t expect them to just “get over it.” Nor would we blame them if they needed a cast, sling, or other help in their daily life while they recovered.

Myth #2: Mental illnesses will never affect me.

Fact: Researchers estimate that as many as one in five Canadians will experience a mental health problem or illness in any given year. You may not experience a mental illness yourself, but it’s very likely that a family member, friend, or co-worker will experience challenges.

Myth #3: Mental illnesses are just an excuse for poor behaviour.

Fact: It’s true that some people who experience mental illnesses may act in ways that are unexpected or seem strange to others. We need to remember that the illness, not the person, is behind these behaviours. No one chooses to experience a mental illness. People who experience a change in their behaviour due to a mental illness may feel extremely embarrassed or ashamed around others. It’s also true that people with a history of a mental illness are like anyone else: they may make poor choices or do something unexpected for reasons unrelated to symptoms of their illness.

Myth #4: Bad parenting causes mental illnesses.

Fact: No one factor can cause mental illnesses. Mental illnesses are complicated conditions that arise from a combination of genetics, biology, environment, and life experiences. Family members and loved ones do have a big role in support and recovery.

Myth #5: People with mental illnesses are violent and dangerous.

Fact: The causes of violence are complicated. Researchers agree that mental illnesses are not a good predictor of violence. In fact, if we look at mental illnesses on their own, people who experience a mental illness are no more violent than people without a mental illness. Excluding people from communities is linked to violence. And people with mental illnesses are often among those who are excluded. It’s also important to note that people who experience mental illnesses are much more likely to be victims of violence than to be violent.

Myth #6: People don’t recover from mental illnesses.

Fact: People can and do recover from mental illnesses. Today, there are many different kinds of treatments, services, and supports that can help. No one should expect to feel unwell forever. The fact is, people who experience mental illnesses can and do lead productive, engaged lives. They work, volunteer, or contribute their unique skills and abilities to their communities. Even when people experience mental illnesses that last for a long time, they can learn how to manage their symptoms so they can get back to their goals.

Myth #7: People who experience mental illnesses are weak and can’t handle stress.

Fact: Stress impacts well-being, but this is true for everyone. People who experience mental illnesses may actually be better at managing stress than people who haven’t experienced mental illnesses. Many people who experience mental illnesses learn skills like stress management and problem-solving so they can take care of stress before it affects their well-being. Taking care of yourself and asking for help when you need it are signs of strength, not weakness.

Myth #8: People who experience mental illnesses can’t work.

Fact: Whether you realize it or not, workplaces are filled with people who have experienced mental illnesses. Mental illnesses don’t mean that someone is no longer capable of working. Some people benefit from changes at work to support their goals, but many people work with few supports from their employer. Most people who experience serious mental illnesses want to work but face systemic barriers to finding and keeping meaningful employment.

Myth #9: Kids can’t have a mental illness like depression. Those are adult problems

Fact: Even children can experience mental illnesses. In fact, many mental illnesses first appear when a person is young. Mental illnesses may look different in children than in adults, but they are a real concern. Mental illnesses can impact the way young people learn and build skills, which can lead to challenges in the future. Unfortunately, many children don’t receive the help they need.

Myth #10: Everyone gets depressed as they grow older. It’s just part of the aging process.

Fact: Depression is never an inevitable part of aging. Older adults may have a greater risk of depression because they experience so many changes in roles and social networks. If an older adult experiences depression, they need the same support as anyone else.

To find out more about mental illness check out the Canadian Mental Health Association BC Division website https://cmha.bc.ca/document-category/mental-illnesses/