As we all deal with the ongoing mental health impact of the pandemic, it’s more important than ever that you’re supporting the people in your life and receiving support when you need it. The number one thing you can do when someone needs support is: listen. All of us have the ability to support another person...
2020 was a difficult year for most of us and one that highlighted the importance of our own mental health and self-care. 2021 is going to challenge us as well. At Distress Centre, we have been talking about self-care and creating a community of care since embedding these concepts into our Strategic Plan in 2019,...
Guest Post: Simryn Thind Mental health is often a topic that is neglected or not prioritized, when it should in fact, be at the top of our list in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle. In our society many hold stigmas around mental illness. This is especially true for middle-aged men who are in fear of...
Self-care is any activity that we intentionally do in order to take care of our physical, mental and emotional health. Practicing self-care helps you avoid burn out, improve your mood and reduce anxiety. By taking care of yourself you’re able to be there for others when they need you. As Karen Pickles from Stresscase puts it:...
According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, 1 in 5 people in Canada will personally experience a mental health problem or illness in any given year. Each of us can play a part in helping the people in our lives – friends, family members, neighbours and coworkers - who are struggling with their mental health. First,...
We know reaching out to a crisis line takes a great deal of courage. That courage comes from admitting and accepting the fact you need help, and that you are willing to take that first step. It also comes from fearing the unknown. You might ask, “What happens when I contact a crisis line? Who...
The title of this article likely sounds familiar to you because the Netflix series 13 Reasons Why, adapted from Jay Asher’s novel, Thirteen Reasons Why, has created immense discussion among teens, schools, and families. The show’s content is controversial and it has received some negative feedback. However, as an organization that specializes in crisis intervention and...
In recent years there has been a push to normalize talking about mental health and mental illness to help end the stigma that surrounds it. But sometimes, even if you have the best intentions, you can find yourself floundering when someone confides in you that they’re struggling with their mental health. Previously we created a guide...
The fight to end the stigma surrounding mental health and mental illness has largely centered on talking. Bell Let’s Talk Day encourages us to use communication to end the stigma, whether by sharing stories of how mental illness touches us all, being aware of the kind of language we use and how it can be harmful...
