I had to go to prison to learn how important the value of belonging is to mental health.In 2005, I began volunteering in a therapeutic group for men in a medium-security prison. It’s an encounter-type group where about 20-30 inmates and volunteers sit in a circle for about 16 hours over two days. The group […]
Anxiety, depression, trauma, substance abuse, bullying, racism, sexism, homophobia; the list of challenges our children and youth will face in their lifetime appears overwhelming. To become mentally healthy, confident and competent young adults, our kids will need to develop self awareness and self-discipline. Two families I have worked with in family counselling demonstrate the complexities
Most people believe that if they are diagnosed with anxiety or depression, it’s due to genetics, and as a result, they believe they have little control over their condition.But as you can see by the chart below, genetics are more influential for some mental illnesses than others.As a reference point, you can see above that
Ctrl + Alt + Del: A Shortcut to Wellbeing When your computer freezes and locks up, the shortcut Ctrl+Alt+Del pauses the system, so you can shut down programs that aren’t working and reset.Sometimes, that’s exactly what we need when we feel anxious, angry, down, grief-stricken or find ourselves losing control with a partner or family member.After almost
Is taking a supplement for nervousness as harmless as you think? A CBC News report this week says a supplement targeting teen nervousness is being investigated by Health Canada. Veeva Teen, approved by Health Canada was being marketed to teens suffering from anxiety, although that claim has now been removed from their website. Under Health Canada rules, the product
I remember the first time I realized my father wasn’t perfect. After a trip to Dairy Queen one summer evening, the family got back in the car and dad went to pull out onto a busy road. A teenager speeding down the sidewalk on his bike slammed into the side of our car, tumbled across
What does it take to heal from an emotional loss? Everybody knows that when you break a bone or twist an ankle, your body needs time to heal. We all know its important to rest a physical injury, to see a doctor and stop participating in some activities to support the healing process. But anyone
Have you ever planned a new exercise schedule with great enthusiasm only to see your commitment fade? Would you like to exercise more consistently, but feel you just don’t have the willpower? If so, there’s a perfectly good reason for that. You’ve turned exercise into a chore. Why do you exercise? Take a moment to
