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”?

This past week, our own Peer Mentor Dave Kilgannon spoke to our friend Ted Michaels, host of CHML 900’s Health and Wellness Show. Dave shared his lived experience journey and how boxing and physical activity have been a key part of his recovery. Give it a listen:  Continue reading“We’re Breaking Down Some Walls”

It is undeniable that social media has completely changed the way we interact with others. It used to be that we would find out what was going on with our friends and family when we took the time to write a letter or e-mail, pick up the phone, or meet up for lunch or a […]Continue readingSocial Media’s Sucker Punch

We’re taught early on that being selfish is not an aspirational characteristic. We’re told that there are no redeeming qualities in behavior that places little consideration on the feelings or needs of others. But, as with most things in life, a healthy amount of what is often called “selfishness” can lead to a stronger and […]Continue readingChoosing Yourself First: Putting the “I” in Self-Care

I remember hearing an old adage of news reporting: “If it bleeds, it leads”. If a story is graphic and dramatic, some news outlets will place it on the front page of the newspaper or first up in the TV broadcast to capture the attention of a drama-loving audience. But this approach is not without […]Continue readingWhen there’s bad news and bad news