‘MIND’ING NATURE: Cultivating Childhood Wellness Outdoors
People have become less connected to nature, particularly with increasing urbanization. However, many studies are now clearly demonstrating that nature connectedness is crucial to our physical and mental health, and to the future of our communities’ social, cultural, environmental, and economic well-being. Audrey Hystad and Dr. Holli-Anne Passmore discuss the increasing need for people, and more specifically children, to be outdoors, learn about food and agriculture, and contribute to more resilient communities.
NATURE’S PLAN: Using Natural Frameworks to Build Mentally Healthy Communities
Creating mentally healthy communities is becoming an issue of increasing importance. Dr. Marilyn Hamilton, an author and international thought leader, and Mark Holland, an author and award-winning community planner, discuss how we can use what we know about nature to plan, design, and build more livable, socially connected, and mentally healthy communities. They also talk about the proven link between healthy built environments and mentally healthy citizens, and how social connection, climate change, and neighbourhood design impact mental health.
WORLD HAPPINESS REPORT Reveals a Bright Light in Dark Times
The World Happiness Report (WHR) highlights how people in more than 150 countries evaluate their own lives. The findings are also used to rank countries on a scale of well-being from most to least happy. Dr. John Helliwell ─ internationally acclaimed economist, well-being researcher, and WHR co-founder and editor ─ shares his story, explains report findings, and talks about well-being issues related to a country’s geo-political, social, cultural, environmental, and economic circumstances.
JO’S JOURNEY: A Personal Story of Healing From Fear & Anxiety
HEADS UP producer Jo de Vries shares her personal story of healing from acute anxiety attacks that started when she was 12 years old. Now in her sixties, and after 20 years of taking two psychotrophic medications, she is in the process of healing with the help of two medical professionals. Family physician/psychotherapist Dr. Warren Bell guides her along a path of discovery to unearth her disorder’s root causes, while pharmacist Sahil Ahuja advises her on how to safely taper off medication.
SENIORS’ MENTAL HEALTH: Part 2 – Social Influences, Life Circumstances, Personal Choices & Better Care
Senior’s mental health is affected by social threats such as stigma, ageism, and racism, and impacted by individual circumstances such as isolation, loneliness, poverty, poor physical health, lack of independence, and abuse. Marjorie Horne (seniors’ advocate and founder of CareSmart Seniors Consulting), Naomi Mison (caregiver and founder of Discuss Dementia), and Dr. Anna Wisniewska (geriatric psychiatrist) shed light on these contributing factors and the complex choices seniors often face.
SCHIZOPHRENIA: Part 2 – Integrating Bio-Psycho-Social-Vocational-Spiritual Recovery Approaches
In Part 2 of this podcast on Schizophrenia, we’re joined again by Katrina Tinman (peer support worker with lived experience of schizophrenia), Chris Summerville (CEO of the Canadian Schizophrenia Society), and Dr. Phil Tibbo (clinical/research psychiatrist who specializes in psychosis-related illnesses). They dig deep into emerging holistic recovery approaches that integrate biological, psychological, social, vocational, and spiritual supports. They also explore stigma, needed changes, and the future world of schizophrenia.
RESILIENCE: Choosing How to Feel, Think & Behave
Resilience is one of the most misunderstood concepts in mental health today. Simply, it is the outcome of optimizing life experience by being mindful about what you can control, can’t control, and have little control over. Join industrial psychologist and human capital specialist Peter Comrie as he explains the differences and how you can adapt and, therefore, become more resilient in any situation. He also shares how you are not a slave to your emotions, thoughts, and actions.
SCHIZOPHRENIA: Part 1 – Stories, Signs, Myths & Recovery Movements
Schizophrenia affects about 80 million people from all groups and sectors. This two-part podcast explores their widespread challenges, and the hope and healing opportunities available to them and their families via integrated bio-psycho-social-spiritual-vocational therapies. In Part 1, Katrina Tinman (peer support worker), Chris Summerville (Canadian Schizophrenia Society), and Dr. Phil Tibbo (clinical/research psychiatrist) share personal stories, summarize signs and stages, bust myths, and introduce recovery philosophy.
SENIORS’ MENTAL HEALTH: Part 1 – Personal Stories, Professional Insights & COVID Reflections
The over-65 age group is the fastest-growing demographic in Canada, with rates of mental illness for seniors over 70 projected to be the highest of any age group by 2041. This is a complex and costly national challenge. Join Marjorie Horne (seniors’ advocate), Naomi Mison (founder of Discuss Dementia), and Dr. Anna Wisniewska (geriatric psychiatrist) in Part 1, as they share their personal stories and professional insights about the mental health challenges seniors face, and the opportunities for improved care.
WORKPLACE MENTAL HEALTH: Part 2 – Groundbreaking Union & Business Solutions
Part 2 chronicles the evolution of organizational policies, practices, and programs at two very different and unique organizations. Join Quentin Steen (CLAC Labour Relations Representative) and Trever Amendt (AECOM Site Safety Lead, Energy Operations & Maintenance in Lacombe, Alberta) as they share their personal mental health stories and their groups’ commitments to building cultures of compassion with strong leadership, workplace-wide peer support, regular training, and employee communication and engagement.
WORKPLACE MENTAL HEALTH: Part 1 – Trailblazing Research & Regulatory Approaches
Given that most Canadian workers clock between 35 and 40 hours weekly, it’s vital that time be invested in healthy workplaces that care as much about mental, emotional, and social well-being as they do about physical health. Join workplace mental health expert Dr. Merv Gilbert, along with WorkSafeBC’s Trudi Rondou and Lisa Smith. Together they explore new standards for psychological health and safety in the workplace, case studies, regulatory approaches, and the vital roles played by progressive leaders.
BRAIN TOUR: A Superhero’s Mental Health from Both Sides of the Cape
If you’re wearing a mask to hide mental health challenges, why not swap it for a superhero cape and brainpowers strong enough to save the day! Sharon Blady, PhD (former Manitoba Minister of Health, founder of Speak Up: Mental Health Advocates) and Dr. Simon Trepel (a psychiatrist and member of Sharon’s treatment team) talk about Sharon’s multiple diagnoses, what’s helping her heal, and how you, too, can embrace neurodiversity and load your mental health toolkit with superpower solutions.
WEALTH IN MENTAL HEALTH: Mobilizing a Just & Green Recovery Economy
Recovery from COVID-19 provides opportunities for transition to a just and green economy that would boost universal mental health. Policy professionals Trish Hennessy (Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives) and Arden Henley (Green Technology Education Centre) talk about transformative concepts and also explore how lessons learned about mental health during the pandemic, can guide economic reform while informing solutions to other global challenges, such as racism and climate change.
STIGMA: From Stereotyping & Discrimination to Compassion & Inclusion
More than half of the seven million Canadians who face mental health challenges every year, won’t seek help for fear of being stereotyped and discriminated against. To help unravel the complexities of stigma that often bind people with mental illness, we’re joined by Samaria Nancy Cardinal, a Metis woman who battled intergenerational trauma and misdiagnosed mental illnesses, and Dr. Stephanie Knaak, a researcher with the Mental Health Commission of Canada.
ROLE CALL: Local Governments’ Contribution to Community Mental Health
Citizens expect and deserve mentally healthy communities. To that end, we connected with Ken Christian (City of Kamloops’ mayor and former environmental health professional) and Randy Sunderman (social economist and chair of the Aberdeen Neighbourhood Association) to explore local governments’ role in planning and building mentally healthy communities. They also talk about the realities of local government spending for social infrastructure, and the impact of COVID-19 on community mental health.
DEPRESSION: Key Links Between Lived Experience & Emerging Science
Daniel Honke is an engaging young man who uses lived experience to help others in his community. Dr. Andy Greenshaw is a renowned research psychiatrist who collaborates with colleagues around the world, to create and test technologies that will better diagnose and treat depression. Together, they weave a story of hope that showcases the combined healing powers of science and storytelling, to wrestle the world’s most widespread mental illness.
VETERANS’ MENTAL HEALTH: Personal & Scientific Perspectives on Healing
Veteran/advocate Brian McKenna and psychologist Dr. Candice Monson explore veterans’ mental health issues. Drawing on lived experience with PTSD, Brian shares about the psychological challenges and opportunities faced by veterans who’ve served both at home and abroad. Dr. Monson, a clinician and researcher at Ryerson University, talks about the impacts of internal and external stigma on veterans’ mental health, and summarizes emerging trends in trauma research and treatment.
e-MENTAL HEALTH: Vast and Profound Opportunities for Better Care
Danielle Impey (Mental Health Commission of Canada) and Debra Coffey (Registered Professional Counsellor) explore the emerging field of e-mental health, which uses the Internet and other technologies to provide care faster and from rural and remote locations. Impey explains the phenomenon and talks about the infrastructure, funding, training, and quality control needed. Coffey underscores the benefits and potential pitfalls of e-mental health for both clients and practitioners.
MENTAL HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS: Downstream Losses vs Upstream Wins
Drs. Trevor Hancock and Warren Bell share invaluable insights about the inefficiencies of our existing “downstream” mental health care system, and the opportunities provided by an “upstream” approach that better serves individuals, families, workplaces, and communities through prevention and health promotion. Dr. Hancock is a public health scholar and Dr. Bell, a GP and activist for more than 40 years.
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