In January 2025, the Healthy Living Team set out to use available funding to support youth mental wellbeing in Southern Health-Santé Sud. Schools were identified as the most effective way to reach youth. Research shows that the arts play an important role in supporting positive mental health in children. Engaging in creative activities helps build the skills needed to manage emotions, adapt to stress, and support overall wellbeing. Art also encourages mindfulness by allowing individuals to focus on the present moment without judgment. Practicing mindfulness can help improve emotional regulation, increase resilience, and build self-confidence. For youth, these benefits can also extend to improved attention, creativity, and academic performance.
1- How Art Supports Good Mental Health in Kids and Teens | Sparketh
2- Brain research shows the arts promote mental health | University of Calgary
To support this work, the team launched the “Promoting Art for Mental Health” grant. All schools within Southern Health-Santé Sud were eligible to apply, with priority given to underserved populations. Funding could be used for supplies, and honorariums for facilitators, Knowledge Keepers or Elders to support the integration of art into student learning and complement existing curriculum.
Through this initiative, the Healthy Living program funded 32 schools. Projects included beading for reconciliation, hallway murals, student-led craft clubs, soapstone carving with Elders, instructor-led dance sessions, pottery workshops, music therapy, lunchtime art clubs, mindful mug project, creating inspirational art pieces such as painted canvases and rocks, and many more.
The most rewarding part of this grant initiative was how successful all the programs were. Based on the final reports, this grant had a very positive impact on students and the school community. Through hands-on art and cultural activities, especially Indigenous beading, students felt proud of their work while learning about new cultures, in an inclusive way.
Students shared that the program helped them feel safe, creative, and connected. Some students said that it gave them a space to relax, build relationships, and try new things. For some students, it became a place where they felt they belonged. It also supported mental wellness and helped students use art to cope and express themselves.
The program brought students together across grade levels and strengthened the school community. Feedback from students, staff, and instructors was very positive, and the experience has helped introduce new forms of art that they can continue to build on.
The Healthy Living team continues to find meaningful ways to engage with communities and promote positive mental health and wellbeing across the lifespan.
Residents and visitors of Boundary Trails Health Centre are advised that renovation work is ongoing at the facility as part of planned upgrades to enhance infrastructure and improve the overall patient and visitor experience.
During this time, there will be temporary adjustments to public entrances and interior traffic flow, with clear signage and staff support available to help guide individuals safely to their destinations.
Some entrances may be periodically redirected; visitors and patients are encouraged to allow a few extra minutes when arriving for appointments.
All essential services will continue to operate as usual, and updated information will be shared through local communication channels as the project progresses.
It’s oral health month, and Healthy Smile Happy Child is doing some very important research to help prevent early childhood tooth decay. Healthy Smile Happy Child is a partnership that works with communities to prevent early childhood tooth decay. Last year, we celebrated our twenty-fifth anniversary. The partnership shares important oral health information with communities across Manitoba and works with those communities to study oral health in young children.
Healthy Smile Happy Child is currently working on four very important studies with Métis and First Nations communities.
All of these research projects will help to reduce the risk of tooth decay in young children.
If you are interested in participating, please contact 204-480-1351
Keeping your child’s mouth clean is one important step in preventing early childhood tooth decay.
For information on how to apply, visit Canada.ca/dental
Remember to renew your coverage each year after filing your tax return!
For more information about taking care of young children’s teeth visit Healthy Smile Happy Child social media and website
Patients and families across southern Manitoba will benefit from increased hospital capacity with the opening of the new two-story inpatient unit expansion at Boundary Trails Health Centre.
The new inpatient unit is part of a major expansion designed to support the rapidly growing communities of Morden and Winkler and surrounding municipalities to improve access to care closer to home. The additional 24 medical and palliative care beds will increase the facility’s capacity and provide modern space for patient care programs, helping ensure residents in the region receive timely treatment when they need it.
“This expansion represents a significant step forward for health care in our region,” said Kyle MacNair, Implementation Lead for Southern Health-Santé Sud. “The new inpatient unit will help meet the needs of our growing population while providing patients and families with modern, comfortable spaces designed to support high-quality care.”
The new 24 bed inpatient unit is part of a broader expansion of the Boundary Trails Health Centre campus that includes the addition of a new community services building, enhanced clinical spaces, a new operating theater, expanded Emergency Department, expanded Cancer Care Department, a future Labour and Delivery expansion and Level 2 Nursery.
This expansion would not be possible if it weren’t for the many partners that supported the capital side of this project. The region extends sincere appreciation to the Province of Manitoba for investing in this project and supporting health care services across Southern Health-Santé Sud.
Community support is what brought this project to the forefront. Without the generous support of the community, this expansion would not be possible. The Boundary Trails Health Centre Foundation contributed $10 million toward the project, reflecting the region’s strong commitment to strengthening local health care.
“The generosity of donors and community partners has been instrumental in bringing this expansion to life,” said Dana Human, Interim CEO at Southern Health-Santé Sud. “Their support ensures residents can access more services closer to home.”
The region extends a heartfelt thank you to the many clinical and non-clinical teams that have been working tirelessly over the past few years to make this transition possible. As staff begin welcoming patients into the new space, the expanded inpatient unit will help support hospital teams in delivering safe, compassionate care for years to come.
Patients in southeastern Manitoba are beginning to receive care in newly expanded spaces at the Bethesda Regional Health Centre, marking another significant milestone for health care in the region.
The completed capital expansion includes a 59,000-square-foot addition with 15 new medicine and palliative care beds, three state-of-the-art operating theatres, expanded laboratory services and a dedicated quiet space designed for ceremonies, and family gatherings.
“This expansion represents an important step forward in ensuring Bethesda Regional Health Centre meets the growing health care needs of Steinbach and surrounding communities,” said Kyle MacNair, Implementation Lead for Southern Health-Santé Sud. “The new spaces enhance both our capacity and our ability to deliver modern, patient-centred care for the communities we serve.”
The addition includes private patient rooms with bathrooms and showers, new air-isolation rooms to support infection control, and updated laboratory space capable of providing faster and expanded testing services.
A key component of the project is the new surgical department, featuring three new operating theatres, a pre-operative consultation room and dedicated spaces for pre- and post-operative care. These improvements are expected to support additional surgical capacity and improve patient flow within the hospital.
The expansion also enhances end-of-life care in the region with seven private palliative care rooms, designed to provide comfort, privacy and space for families during difficult times.
The project reflects a strong partnership between the province, regional health leaders and the community. The Bethesda Foundation contributed $8 million toward the expansion, demonstrating the region’s ongoing commitment to strengthening local health services.
“The opening of this expansion reflects years of planning, collaboration and community support,” said Dana Human, Interim CEO for Southern Health-Santé Sud. “Together, we are strengthening health care services so people can receive the care they need, closer to home.”
The region extends a heartfelt thank you to the Bethesda Foundation and the community donors that graciously contributed funds towards this project and to the Province of Manitoba for investing in the expansion of health care services in our region. Lastly, none of this would be possible if it weren’t for the dedication of the clinical and non-clinical teams at Bethesda Regional Health Centre. It has been a busy few years for these teams who have continued to support existing services while planning and training for a seamless transition to the new clinical spaces.
Since opening its doors in October 2020, Portage la Prairie’s Rapid Access to Addictions Medicine (RAAM) Clinic has become a cornerstone for individuals experiencing substance use challenges across the southern region. Designed to remove barriers and offer a safe and welcoming space for addictions support, the clinic has steadily grown into a trusted safe space for community members seeking help, connection, or a warm place to grab a coffee and a snack. No referrals are required—walk-ins are always welcome, and the RAAM team welcomes anyone seeking information, guidance, or support related to substance use and addictions.
The clinic is staffed by a dedicated team of three full-time professionals, a recovery health nurse, a rehabilitation counsellor, and an administrative assistant—alongside four consulting physicians who provide specialized medical guidance. Counsellors at the clinic also offer coaching and support to family members and peers, recognizing that recovery is a journey that often involves the entire support network. Together, this multidisciplinary team ensures that anyone who walks through the door can receive person-centered care without judgment.
Beyond clinical support, the RAAM clinic strives to create a warm, community-focused environment. Visitors are encouraged to come in for a cup of coffee, a snack, or a friendly conversation. Essential personal items such as weather-appropriate clothing, toiletries, and sanitary products are also available, many generously donated by members of the public. Adding to the supportive atmosphere are two beloved neighborhood cats, Inky and Thunder, who come and go as they please. Their calming presence and quiet affection provide unexpected morale support to individuals and families seeking care.
This spirit of community involvement extends beyond the clinic walls. On the property sits a thriving community garden supported by clients in the Intensive Case Management (ICM) program as part of their recreation and engagement activities. The garden provides meaningful opportunities for connection, skill-building, and recovery-focused routines. All produce grown is made available to anyone visiting the RAAM clinic, reinforcing the centre’s focus on dignity, nourishment, and shared community care.
“One thing I hope that clients and their families walk away knowing is that we care and we will never turn you away,” says Recovery Health Nurse, Karie Mooney.
Open Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., the RAAM clinic’s staff are available throughout the day to answer questions, offer guidance, support recovery planning, and provide harm-reduction supplies when needed. Whether someone is seeking treatment options, withdrawal-management, support to those affected by a loved one who is living with substance use or simply a place to connect, the RAAM clinic remains committed to meeting people exactly where they are.
In addition to in-person services, RAAM services are also offered through Digital Front Door (DFD), a virtual drop-in option that allows individuals to connect with RAAM services from wherever they are using a phone, tablet, or computer. The DFD operates much like familiar video apps and meets provincial privacy standards, ensuring appointments aren’t recorded while enabling secure communication with RAAM staff.
Led by nurses, virtual clinics provide immediate support and can arrange follow-up care with a provider either virtually or in person when needed.
The Digital Front Door is available Monday through Friday at scheduled times across RAAM locations including Portage la Prairie, helping reduce barriers like travel, transportation, and stigma while providing the public with another way to access low-barrier addictions support without an appointment. For more information about this services, please visit the Shared Health website.
Construction for the new two-story inpatient unit expansion and community services is now complete. Both spaces are currently undergoing digital and systems installations as well as furniture and equipment setup. Clinical teams moving into these new spaces are undergoing training and orientation in preparation of the officially opening in spring 2026.
Exterior image showing progress of expansion at Boundary Trails Health Centre
Inpatient Unit Interior
Community Services Interior
As families across southern Manitoba prepare for summer vacations, camping trips, day programs and summer camps, Southern Health-Santé Sud is reminding the public to protect against measles this summer. With increased travel and large gatherings during the summer months, public health officials are reminding residents to stay vigilant and ensure all eligible family members are fully immunized against measles. Whether you’re hitting the road, sending children to camp, or hosting visitors from out of town, now is the time to double-check your immunizations.
Measles is a highly contagious and serious disease that spreads easily through the air — especially in enclosed places where people spend long periods of time, like homes, bunk houses, tents, community centres, and vehicles during long trips. Measles can cause high fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and a distinctive rash. Infants and young children are especially vulnerable to complications like ear infections, pneumonia, brain swelling, or worse. As well, pregnant women could go into early labour, have a miscarriage, or pass measles onto their newborn. Someone with measles can spread the virus before they even show symptoms — making vaccination the best protection.
Vaccination is the safest and most effective way to prevent measles. It not only protects individuals but also helps shield those who cannot be vaccinated, such as infants, pregnant women, and people with certain medical conditions. The measles vaccine has been available in Canada for more than 50 years, first introduced in 1963. Since then, it has played a critical role in reducing the number of cases and protecting communities from outbreaks.
Protect Your Family Before You Travel or Camp:
Two doses of measles vaccine is almost 100% effective in preventing measles infection. Children typically receive their first dose at 12 months of age and the second between 4 and 6 years of age. Due to the severity of the current outbreak, Manitoba Health has expanded eligibility for the measles vaccine. Children aged 6 to under 12 months who fall into any of the following categories may receive one additional early dose:
The full list of eligibility criteria for the measles vaccine in Manitoba can be found on the Manitoba Health website.
For more information on measles and known exposure sites, please review the Measles General Information (Low German version) or visit the Manitoba Health website.
Southern Health-Santé Sud extends a heartfelt thanks to The Village Connection for their generous support in enhancing emergency care at the Centre médico-social De Salaberry District Health Centre.
Thanks to their grant, a crucial piece of Emergency Room equipment — the LUCAS (Lund University Cardiopulmonary Assist System) — has been purchased. This life-saving device delivers consistent, high-quality mechanical chest compressions to patients in cardiac arrest, improving outcomes and supporting our dedicated care teams.
