Our blog post last week about Kate Spade’s suicide went up just 2 days before word of another tragedy spread: Anthony Bourdain’s suicide. The same questions about why were uttered with shaking heads as the news sank in. Another person who seemed on the surface to have an exciting, dynamic life was gone, leaving behind loved ones […]Continue reading“Gotta Kick at the Darkness ‘Til it Bleeds Daylight”
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Kate Spade and the meaning of “having it all”
Kate Spade seemed to have it all: fame, money, family, prestige, and a name that was instantly recognizable as a worldwide brand and fashion statement. News of her death by apparent suicide yesterday shocked many and brought the inevitable question to our lips: Why? I was once told by a dad whose son died by […]Continue readingKate Spade and the meaning of “having it all”
“It’s about the 1 in 1…” Justin’s Podcast
Our friend Justin Dickie recently chatted with our own Melanie McGregor for his “My Therapy” podcast. They talked about Melanie’s role at CMHA, her own lived experience journey, and how she and Justin have connected over a passion for ending stigma and continuing to open up the conversation around mental health. Give it a listen. Check […]Continue reading“It’s about the 1 in 1…” Justin’s Podcast
“How I ended up as a 47 year-old man with a bullet in his head and bag full of prescription medications”
Clint Malarchuk: former NHL goalie. Not just any goalie, but the one who experienced a horrific accident in 1989 when he had his neck sliced by a wayward skate during a game and almost died on the ice. And the one who was back in net just 10 days after that injury and became the […]Continue reading“How I ended up as a 47 year-old man with a bullet in his head and bag full of prescription medications”
The Origin of the Canadian Mental Health Association
The origins of community mental health in Canada It all started at afternoon tea. In Mrs. Dunlap’s drawing room. But first, some context: It was wartime, circa 1917, and Dr. Clarence Hincks had grown impatient. He had been plugging away in a psychiatric outpatient clinic in Toronto for a number of years. Meanwhile, the […]Continue readingThe Origin of the Canadian Mental Health Association
“My Therapy” Podcast: Justin’s Recovery Journey
Justin Dickie tells it like it is. A great friend of ours here at CMHA-HRB, Justin first shared his lived experience with depression on, of all days, Bell Let’s Talk Day 2018, a day that he says gave him the courage to open up. “I have a secret I don’t want to be a secret anymore” was […]Continue reading“My Therapy” Podcast: Justin’s Recovery Journey
The Cruelest Month?
Is January really as cruel as they say? For some, yes. It is quite common to hear people talk about having the “January Blues” – low mood, decreased energy, and general malaise. Just not feeling like themselves. There are a number of reasons why we can get in a rut at this time of year: […]Continue readingThe Cruelest Month?
5 Tips to Open the Door With Empathy
“Empathy” – that magic word that means so much. It’s not feeling sorry for someone – that’s called “sympathy”. Empathy is understanding and sharing the feelings of others – tuning into their emotions and trying to put ourselves in their place. Let’s say that someone loses a job and talks about feeling sad and anxious. […]Continue reading5 Tips to Open the Door With Empathy
‘Tis the Season…for Stress??
For many it is. While the holidays can bring much joy and excitement, they can also bring more than their share of frazzle. Many reasons may be behind less-than-festive feelings at this time of year, including: Overwhelm. Cooking, shopping, socializing, and the numerous other demands and things to do can get to us. Expectations. Putting […]Continue reading‘Tis the Season…for Stress??
36 Things You Need to Know About Anxiety
Some time ago, I read an article from The Mighty called “36 Things People With Anxiety Want Their Friends to Know” and wow, did it ever stick with me. Anxiety is something we all experience. Imagine that you have a job interview or you’re going on a first date….can you feel your heart pounding, your […]Continue reading36 Things You Need to Know About Anxiety