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All it takes is a few hot and humid days for it to sink in that we’re in the heart of summer. And while we may focus on the signature summer rituals and activities, like visiting the beach or eating ice cream, it’s also important to think about our mental health and wellness and the […]Continue readingHealth and Wellness in the Dog Days of Summer

6 years ago, I started therapy for depression. I was completely lost and at the end of my rope – I had been struggling for over 38 years of my life. 38 years of what I like to call acting. People who struggle with depression and anxiety and other mental health issues are always good […]Continue readingThe Power of the Pen: Writing as a Therapeutic Tool

Earlier this week, we were privileged to attend the CMHA Mental Health Works conference and learn about Matthew, a former medic who now authors the blog and podcast “A Medic’s Mind” about living with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Depression. In an amazing video, “The Jacket”, Matthew talks about his lived experience. It touched our hearts, […]Continue reading“Who knew that a thread and needle could be so powerful?”

Ever wake up from a restless night and just feel…off? You wouldn’t be alone; sleep, or lack thereof, can seriously impact us physically, and especially mentally. Whether it’s disrupting our hormone balances or exhausting us mentally, poor sleep can worsen, and even cause, several mental health issues. Sleep problems are especially common in those with […]Continue readingSleep and Your Mental Health

We got great feedback from readers of our column that recently appeared on Inside Halton, so we’re reposting it here. Enjoy! _____ “A healthy balance” – a term often heard when discussing mental health and wellness. But what does it really mean? What is “balance” and what makes it “healthy”? Think about the number of […]Continue readingServing up balance, one pie at a time

Special Bell Let’s Talk Day post by Steele Roddick We’ve made progress on destigmatizing mental illness in recent years. I’ve made strides of my own, and the conversations I’ve had with friends and colleagues have given me not just hollow hope, but concrete confidence that things are headed in the right direction. There has been […]Continue readingWhy I Didn’t Tell My Boss I Have Bipolar Disorder—Until Now

Too often, our society tells us that anger is a “bad” emotion, an unwanted and uncomfortable feeling that results in an urgent desire to eliminate it as soon as possible. Just google the word “anger” and you will see a myriad of results that show images of aggression, screaming, yelling, and behaviors resembling angry outbursts. […]Continue readingAnnoyed, mad, and ticked off

…but it all came down to the “p” word: Procrastination. Delaying or putting something off. Think of waiting until the night before a test to study or leaving housecleaning until the day company is arriving. It pretty much boils down to avoiding something that needs to be done in the future in favour of something […]Continue readingWe Meant to Write this Sooner…

“Take a deep breath”. How often do we say this to someone who’s upset or to ourselves when we feel nervous? It’s not just an empty statement – our breathing has a big impact on our physical and mental state. It’s not uncommon for our breathing to speed up and become more shallow when we […]Continue reading“Take a deep breath…”

I recently read an article that used a term that was new to me: “pill shaming”. It’s negative judgement about the use of medication for mental health problems and criticism of people who choose to use medication as part of their treatment. Not a new concept, and the term pretty much hits the nail on […]Continue readingWhat’s With “Pill Shaming”?