It took some leg work, but Continuum Mental Health Service has been approved to provide services to Canadian Veterans.

Through Blue Cross / Medavie, we are now able to access coverage for qualified members of the Canadian Armed Forces (including veterans) and Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

We are very excited about this! We have worked with CAF members and veterans in the past, but without this coverage we have been limited in the scope of service we were able to provide. The interactions we have recently had with VAC Rehabilitation Services has given us great hope that, together with VAC, Warren can effectivley work with veterans who live with PTSD, historical trauma, and family stress, just to name a few.

If you or someone you know belonging to the above mentioned groups of - lets face it - heros, please call me at 780-977-1465, and I will do everything I can to make sure you get the help you need.

Thank you!

Christina Krywko

So, a little while back I discovered that Philips no longer produces the goLITE BLU, and doesn’t have a new product to replace it. This is very unfortunate as we have direct experience with this product and have found it to be a very helpful therapy light with all the features we want, and have no trouble recommending it. You can still find them around (Amazon, Walmart, etc), but it won’t be long before they are extinct, and we’re left scrambling to find another product to recommend. Since Continuum already has the goLITEs, we won’t be buying a new one. This means we won’t have the hands-on experience with a new lamp any time soon.

I’ve done a little bit of research and have found what appears to be a good replacement. Of course, without actually using these lamps, we can’t say any more than the reviews I’ve found online.

Circadian Optics has a few different models, all with Ultra Bright UV free 10,000 Lux Full Spectrum LED Lights. I’ve highlighted below two of these; one desk lamp and one portable. I’ve included the links to Circadian Optics website for you to look them over yourself. You can also check out the other models to see if there is anything that fits your needs better.

Circadian Optics Lumine Light Therapy Lamp (https://circadianoptics.com/products/lumine) is the corded desk lamp, with one-touch operation and 3 levels of brightness.

Weight: 0.88 lbs

Dimensions: 6.6 x 6.6 x 3.75 inches (just smaller than my hand)

Where to buy: Direct from Circadian Optics (follow the link above) it’s $54.99USD

On Amazon.ca I found it for $151.99CDN

I couldn’t find it on Costco.ca or Walmart.ca

Circadian Optics Luxy Light Therapy Lamp (https://circadianoptics.com/products/luxy) is a portable lamp that can be corded, but also runs off a USB power supply. It also has one-touch operation and 3 levels of brightness.

Weight: 0.35 lbs

Dimensions: 3.25 x 3.5 x 1.25 inches (about palm sized)

Where to buy: Direct from Circadian Optics (follow the link above) it’s $49.99USD

On Amazon.ca it’s advertised at $49.99CDN

At Costco.ca it’s listed at $39.99CDN

At Walmart.ca it’s listed at $99.99 and they say it’s almost sold out … pressure sales.

If you want to do your own research, here are a few things to remember:

- Intensity: The typical recommendation is to use a 10,000-lux (or equivalent) light box. A box with a lower lux rating can be used, but the daily use sessions will probably be longer in duration.

- UVB Light: The UVB light produced by light therapy lamps is typically low, but UVB can be very damaging to eyes and skin. Make sure the lamp you are looking at filters out as close to 100% as possible.

- Light Source: There are two main light sources SAD lamps us; Compact fluorescent bulbs and LEDs.

o The compact fluorescent bulbs diminish in intensity over time and normally last only two years before they need to be replaced.

o LED lamps last for approximately 50,000 hours of use before the intensity drops off

Our recommendation is to look for the lamps with the LEDs. You don’t have to keep track of when you need to replace bulbs, and don’t have to second guess whether or not the lamp is fully effective.

- Power Source: When reading the specs of each lamp, keep in mind how you will be using it. It is recommended to use the lamp for 20 to 30 minutes (read the manufacturers suggestion) in the morning to start your day off energized. If you have a busy morning schedule, you will probably want a cordless lamp that you can carry around the house with you. If you typically sit and eat breakfast, that may be an ideal time to use the lamp. Therefore, a corded lamp may be for you.

I hope this post helps all those who are interested in trying light therapy for their seasonal affective disorder! There is a lot of information out there, it’s just scattered and not all of it is easy to read.

If anyone out there has had direct experience with a lamp, please share it here! The best reviews always come from someone who has used the product in their daily life!

** Disclaimer: Continuum Mental Health Services Ltd, nor anyone directly associated with CMHS, benefit in any way (financial or otherwise) from any producer or distributor of light therapy lamps. The information provided here is based on our own research and experience with these lamps.

Well, here goes nothing. This is the first blog post I have ever done. Wish me luck

I find it hard to believe that we didn't have even one post in 2016. The year sort of ran away on us. And here we are already 2-1/2 months into 2017. I guess you could say our little CMHS baby has started to stretch and grow. We have continued to develop relationships with colleagues, and expanded the services we provide. And, of course, we try to be available to our clients as much as possible.

My own role in CMHS has evolved more than I had ever expected. Don't worry, it's all in a VERY good way. I have been able to assist some of our clients with paperwork (insurance, government, etc) and developing a budget plan. I have also helped with research, and even to get to appointments. But the most enjoyable thing I do with our clients is talk! Most of the time it is just a quick chat as we set up an appointment. But there are times when Warren is not available, and a client needs to talk out their troubles. I consider myself extraordinarily lucky to have been allowed to be a part of the journey our clients are on. I can't share any of these experiences, but believe me, we work with some pretty amazing people!

Recently, I was invited to participate in the 4th annual Women's Symposium in Westlock, in celebration of International Women's Day. It was a very informative, fun day. I met many interesting women, and heard some remarkable stories. I feel we are living in an exciting time, with women getting closer and closer to complete equality. My hope is that in the not-so-distant future we don't feel the need to have an International Women's Day. I would like to see us celebrate the strength of the human spirit, regardless of gender, race, religion, identity or age.

My plan for this blog is to give readers (clients and non-clients alike) a place to ask questions (no specifics please, this is not a private forum) or make suggestions to Warren and myself on ways we can improve our services, improve this web site, or topics / issues we should look in to. Please feel free to comment. We look forward to hearing from you!

Christina Krywko

Continuum MHS