Submitted by Ivory Romeril Oki, and welcome to the Myth vs. Reality Sexual Health Fact Check Newsletter! We are a group of third-year Bachelor of Nursing students at The University of Lethbridge working with the University Health Centre. Our goal is to spread awareness and destigmatize discussions around sexual health and contraceptive use. In this newsletter, we will discuss four common myths about contraceptives and provide evidence-based information to debunk them. COMMON CONTRACEPTIVE MYTH #1: “Birth control protects you from Sexually Transmitted Infections [STIs].“ Fact & why it matters: While hormonal birth control methods are used to prevent pregnancy, they do not protect against STIs. Evidence: STIs are infections spread…
This article was adapted from a media release provided by Alberta Blue Cross. It has been edited for length and clarity. Checking In on Your Mental Health Albertans are being encouraged to take a few minutes this week to check in on their mental health through a free, anonymous online depression screening offered by Calgary Counselling Centre in partnership with Alberta Blue Cross. The initiative coincides with National Depression Screening Day (October 6–12) and World Mental Health Day (October 10). The brief self-assessment, available at areyoufeelingok.com, takes roughly three minutes to complete and can be done from any phone, tablet, or computer. Why It Matters According to Calgary Counselling Centre,…
I Keep Walking Written by Raine Crandall Content Warning: This article discusses topics of suicide and suicidal ideation, with a specific focus on the experiences within the trans and queer communities. The content includes personal narratives about coping with such thoughts and feelings, and it references methods of finding support and moments of joy amidst the struggle. Please be aware that this content may be triggering for some readers. It is intended to offer insight, support, and resources for those dealing with similar issues. If you are in crisis, please reach out to trained crisis lines (especially queer/trans), friends, or family who love and support you, or call 911, or…
Lethbridge’s History with Combat Sports Written by Andres Salazar Every city has its own symbol of its sporting heritage. Places like Montreal and Calgary have world-famous examples of their hockey teams, like the Montreal Canadians and the Calgary Flames, and the city of Toronto is known for its strength in basketball, baseball, and hockey all at once. Lethbridge is no different; the Hurricanes are one of the main images of our small, windy community. While Lethbridge is mostly known for its WHL team, the city is also the home of several other important athletic figures and places. Interestingly, Lethbridge has a surprisingly strong connection to combat sports. Our quiet little…
Back to School Blues Written by Alejandro Neufeld As we enter another fall semester, many students, myself included, will find that as the days get shorter and assignments start to pile up, our moods shift from optimistic to pessimistic. The things that fill us with joy and excitement during the summer cease to do so in the fall, and the bad things in our lives dominate our thoughts. Many of us feel like we are alone in this, but take heart; it is a campus-wide struggle. It even has a name, seasonal depression. Or, if you prefer a more technical term, Seasonal Affective Disorder, abbreviated as SAD. But what exactly…
Secret Places Written by Benjamin Wiebe When was the last time you went outside and listened? I don’t mean going outside and listening to your Spotify Daylist. When was the last time you actually actively listened to the outdoors? The sound of the wind moving the leaves, the sound of cars zooming along Mayor Magrath, the sound of the crunch of morning frost beneath your feet, to the pitter-patter of rain on cracked pavement. Nature is a place of ambiance, and I am all too aware of how little I pay attention to it. If I am walking outdoors, it is often to get from one place to another in…
Asking for Help Written by Lauryn Evans Reaching out for help can be difficult. It can feel scary, vulnerable, and confusing. Sometimes we cannot do things alone and need extra support, yet we need to figure out where to start or who to turn to. Realizing that you need help means you have the awareness to recognize that you cannot do this alone; for that first step, please be proud. Asking for help often starts with having a conversation – who this conversation is with is up to you. Speaking to someone you trust, feel safe with, and can sit in vulnerability with is important. This can be a friend,…
Journey of a Herbivore Written by Lauryn Evans Over five years ago, I watched a video of a cow that people rescued from a slaughterhouse that recognized its rescuers. This cow ran to greet those that rescued them, plopped its little (big) head into the man’s lap, and then the video showed the cow playing with a ball. While watching that video, I realized that cows are just oversized dogs. Perhaps my association is far-reaching, but it made me realize I did not want to eat meat anymore. In this piece, I will speak about my journey thus far of being vegetarian and how I feel my health has improved…
Wellness Practices That Carried Me Through 2022 Written by Laura Oviedo-Guzmán Okay, so it’s not January anymore, but that doesn’t mean it’s a bad time to talk about wellness practices that helped me last year. We evolve our habits and understanding of wellness through trial and error, which is an atemporal process. Plus, what better time to talk about simple wellness habits than after the new year’s excitement has worn away and you’re about to hit midterm? Before we get into the list, I will tell you that I’m a simple gal. Since 2021, I’ve abided by the principle of “this is the year of good enough.” For example, doing a…
Yes, Table Tennis is an Actual Sport Written by Andres Salazar Growing up in Canada, chances are that we all either played a sport or knew someone that was an active athlete. Playing sports is regular, with soccer and hockey being the most common. While we all knew people that were always on the grass field or on the ice rink, athletes representing different sports all over the place. Volleyball, rock climbing, combat sports, and curling are some of the physical activities widely accepted as great pastimes. However, there is one sport that, here in North America, never became popular, or even taken seriously. While its larger-scale cousin is watched…
