By rdnewsNOW staff

TAKE ADVANTAGE

AHS offering free resources & classes to help with smoking cessation, stress management, and coping with change

Jan 20, 2024 | 2:47 PM

SMOKING CESSATION

National Non-Smoking Week is Jan. 21-27, and Alberta Health Services (AHS) has programs and services to help Albertans stop using commercial tobacco products:

• Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist about medications that can help you quit.
• Visit AlbertaQuits.ca for information and tools to prepare you to quit.
• Talk to a counsellor at the AlbertaQuits helpline (1-866-710-7848). Free for all Alberta residents, it’s open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week.
• Sign up for AlbertaQuits by Text. It’s a free, three-month text messaging program that delivers motivational messages, advice and tips to your cell to help you quit. Text the word ABQUITS to number 123456 to register.
• Sign up for QuitCore, a group support program that provides individuals with the strategies and skills they need to quit tobacco, while connecting them with others who are also trying to quit. This program is offered in person and virtually.

Albertans ages 50 to 74 who smoke cigarettes, or who’ve quit after smoking for many years, may also be eligible for lung cancer screening. Talk to your primary care provider, call 1-866-727-3926 or visit screeningforlife.ca/lung for more information.

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STRESS MANAGEMENT

Albertans looking for ways to identify and manage stress are invited to participate in a free online workshop facilitated by Alberta Health Services (AHS).

D-Stress is an interactive workshop that includes a discussion of stress and when it becomes a problem for our health. Participants will come away with a personal stress reduction action plan, which may include stress management techniques. Participants can take part through their smartphone, tablet or computer.

Register for one of the following dates:

• Thursday, Jan. 25 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, Feb. 21 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, March 19 from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, April 10 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, May 14 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• Thursday, May 30 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

If you have questions about the D-Stress program or need support to register, contact MentalHealthPromotion@ahs.ca or visit Addiction and Mental Health Workshop Destress (albertahealthservices.ca). For additional resources, visit www.ahs.ca/helpintoughtimes.

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COPING WITH CHANGE

Albertans are invited to participate in an upcoming series of skill-building workshops designed to help adults increase their ability to cope with change, build resilience and improve overall well-being.

Wellness Exchange workshops, which started this month, are divided into five weekly online sessions, each related to a specific topic related to wellness. Albertans can register for some or all of the five sessions, and participate through a smartphone, tablet or computer.

The workshops are held Wednesdays from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. from Jan. 17 to Feb. 14; Thursdays from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. from Feb. 29 to March 28; and Tuesdays from 10:30 a.m. to noon from April 9 to May 7.

The five sessions are:

Problem-solving: It’s important to clearly define our problems and look at all possible solutions. Learning ways to problem solve effectively helps us address the entire situation, influence what we can, and increase our confidence in the decisions that we make.

• First workshop held on Jan. 17
• Registration for Thursday, Feb. 29 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m
• Registration for Tuesday, April 9 from 10:30 a.m. to noon

Positive activities: Positive activities provide us with opportunities for enjoyment, improve our mood, increase our sense of control over our life, and create hope.

• Registration for Wednesday, Jan. 24 from 1:30 p.m to 3 p.m.
• Registration for Thursday, March 7 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Registration for Tuesday, April 16 from 10:30 a.m. to noon

Managing reactions: Physical and emotional reactions happen as life stressors occur. Having confidence that we can effectively manage our emotions is important, as it helps protect our well-being, maintain our healthy connections, make effective decisions and respond in healthy ways.

• Registration for Wednesday, Jan. 31 from 1:30 p.m. to 3 pm.
• Registration for Thursday, March 14 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Registration for Tuesday, April 23 from 10:30 a.m. to noon

Helpful thinking: Our thoughts have an impact on how we see the world, how we feel and how we behave. Shifting our unhelpful thinking to more helping thinking is important to increase our confidence in coping with stressors, improve our mood, and reduce the intensity of our reactions.

• Registration for Wednesday, Feb. 7 from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.
• Registration for Thursday, March 21 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Registration for Tuesday, April 30 from 10:30 a.m. to noon

Healthy connections: Social support and connecting with others helps us feel a sense of belonging and reduces isolation. Building healthy social connections helps increase our confidence and our overall well-being.

• Registration for Wednesday, Feb. 14 from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.
• Registration for Thursday, March 28 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Registration for Tuesday, May 7 from 10:30 a.m. to noon

If you have questions about the Wellness Exchange or need support to register, contact:

AHSWellnessExchange@ahs.ca or visit Addiction and Mental Health Wellness Exchange (albertahealthservices.ca)

Additional resources are available. Visit www.ahs.ca/helpintoughtimes.

(AHS media release)