Margaret Moss Health Unit

04/17/2026

Check out the Parent-Child Mother Goose schedule for the spring!

04/16/2026

Have you wondered how you will know if your in labour?

Sometimes it can be hard to tell if your experiencing pre-labour or true labour!

Signs you are experiencing pre-labour include:
- Contractions that are:
not at regular intervals
vary in length
stay the same or become weaker
felt in the lower belly
most uncomfortable when moving

- Your cervix remains Closed

- No pinkish discharge (“show”)

Signs you are experiencing true labour include:
- Contractions that are:
at regular intervals
become longer
become stronger
felt in the belly, lower back or thighs
will occur at rest and with movement

- Your cervix thins and shortens (“effaces”) and opens (“dilates”)

- May be “show” or leaking amniotic fluid

Source: Baby's Best Chance

04/10/2026

Dad’s Drop-In is back!

Join us Saturday from 9–11 AM for quality time with your kids and connection with other dads.

Build real friendships with others in the same stage of life—share, grow, and support each other along the way.

04/09/2026

Are you concerned for a young person in your life? Wondering how to support a teen who struggles with self-harm?

"Understanding Youth Self-Harm" is a valuable workshop we're offering next Wednesday, April 15, 2026, from 6:15–8:15 pm at the Kerry Park Curling Centre in Mill Bay.

Learn how to recognize signs, understand contributing factors, and respond safely and supportively to young people who self-harm.

This event is open to parents & caregivers of teens, teachers, and anyone who mentors youth.

For more information and to reserve your spot:
https://www.cvyouth.ca/event-details/understanding-youth-self-harm-mill-bay-2

04/08/2026

School-based clinics make it easier for parents. No extra appointments, no missed work, and kids can get vaccinated in a place they already know.

More convenience for families, more protection for communities.

Find your local health unit to check your child’s immunization record: https://www.islandhealth.ca/our-locations/health-unit-locations

Read more: https://www.islandhealth.ca/news/stories/families-lead-way-school-clinics-boost-childhood-immunization

04/08/2026

𝗨𝗽𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽 𝗔𝗹𝗲𝗿𝘁!✅
~ Self-Care Essentials for Parents ~

𝗜𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽, 𝘄𝗲’𝗹𝗹 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝘂𝘀𝘀; how taking care of yourself can positively impact your re-discovering of the joys of parenting through the following topics: understanding emotions, regulation strategies, and setting healthy boundaries.

⏰ Wed. May 13, 2026 | 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
📍 Online Workshop
📝 Register Here: www.parentsupportbc.ca/workshops

04/08/2026

What an incredible offering from Cowichan Hospice for our community. Please share with anyone who may find this conversation helpful.

SAVE THE DATE 💛

Grief in young people often goes unseen or misunderstood. While adults may express loss through words, youth may carry grief in silence, through changes in behaviour, or shifts in relationships—sometimes feeling alone in the process.

Join us for a free community presentation and conversation:
When Loss Touches Youth: A Community Conversation on Seeing and Supporting Grieving Youth

🗓 Thursday, May 21
🕕 6:00 – 8:30 PM
📍 Duncan United Church Hall

The evening will begin with insights from Dr. Heather Mohan, followed by a powerful youth panel featuring members of Lumara’s Youth Leadership Team sharing their lived experiences of grief—what helped, what hurt, and what meaningful support looks like.

💬 Together, we will create space for learning, reflection, and connection.

This event is for youth, families, educators, service providers, and all community members who want to better understand how to support young people through loss—and help ensure no one has to grieve alone.

🔗 Register: www.rebrand.ly/whenlosstouchesyouth

📱 Or scan the QR code
📞 More info: 250-701-4242

All are welcome.

04/08/2026

Spring Fling at Hwialusmutul' Community Health is Tuesday, April 14, 2026 from 10:00am-5:30pm!

Parents and caregivers of 4-6 year old children, are invited to Ts'ewulhtun Health Centre to join this fun, family-friendly event focused on keeping your little ones healthy and happy.

Come plant a spring flower, sing and drum with us, make crafts and have snacks!

While you're here, our team can get your child up to date on important immunizations in a welcoming and supportive environment, chat about your family's health and well-being, and answer your health-related questions.

04/02/2026

Today is World Autism Acceptance Day — a day to celebrate autistic individuals, raise awareness, and promote understanding, inclusion, and respect. 💛

𝗪𝗲’𝗿𝗲 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗳𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘀:

• Parenting Neurodivergent Children Support Group | Thursday @ 6:30PM | Online
• Spanish Autism Parenting Support Group | Saturdays @ 1:00 PM | Burnaby

https://www.parentsupportbc.ca/support-groups/

• Autism Funding & Supports – BC Government: https://tinyurl.com/3h64n4bx
• Registry of Autism Service Providers (RASP): https://tinyurl.com/hces47ff
• Autism Support Network of BC: https://tinyurl.com/54syku3e
• Pacific Autism Family Network: https://www.pacificautismfamily.com/
• ACT – Autism Community Training: https://www.actcommunity.ca/

04/01/2026

Did you know that we have changed the process we obtain your consent or refusal for grade 6 school based immunizations? This year we are offering a way to digitally consent or refuse! Letters have been sent home about this change through your child's school. You may also have received it by email.

If you have a child in grade 6 that attends a school in the Cowichan Valley and are wanting to share your wishes for your grade 6 child's vaccinations, please follow the instructions below by scanning the QR code or heading over to https://immunizationconsent.gov.bc.ca/s/
You will need both your and your child's personal health number (PHN) to complete the consent.

**Please note that is ONLY an option for grade 6 students at this time**

If you have any questions at all, please call the health unit at 250-709-3050 and ask to speak to a nurse.