Our social media pages recently lit up with likes, clicks, shares, and retweets, all in the name of mental health at work. We posted a story about a woman named Madalyn who needed a couple of days off work a few weeks ago to focus on her mental health. Rather than make up a story […]Continue reading“Cut Through the Stigma”
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”
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
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
“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…”
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”
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?”
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”
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
The importance of talking about mental health can’t be repeated enough. The more we talk, the more accepted it will be, and the more likely people are to speak up when they are struggling. But, let’s say you get that and start a conversation with someone. Let’s say it’s a friend who just hasn’t been […]Continue reading4 tips for responding when your offer of help isn’t accepted