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The Opioid Crisis
Over the last several years we have witnessed a rising crisis in our cities and neighbourhoods that has greatly impacted families and friends. To get a picture of the crisis in Canada: Many have loved ones who are struggling with an opioid addiction, and they are helpless to help because…well.. where do you start? I… Read more
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Coping Mechanisms
As caregivers, we know the stress involved in day to day living, or even survival. One way that I coped with things at the beginning of my journey…was isolating myself. If I isolated myself enough, than people wouldn’t ask questions, and they wouldn’t know what was really going on. What are Coping Mechanisms…and why do… Read more
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Not Good Enough…
The Auditor General recently released their Audit of how well the province is doing with mental health services for children and youth, and their findings were not good. One in five children and youth in Ontario will experience mental health challenges, and we know that when they can access the help they need now, it… Read more
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Asking for help
I was depressed. And it wasn’t clearing up. And it wasn’t a fleeting moment that I had because my favourite show ended, or it snowed and I would have to deal with my winter boots again. No, this was much bigger. I’m 48 years old and so you can imagine, I have a few things… Read more
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The State of Mental Health Report
The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) recently released their report on the state of mental health in Canada…and it doesn’t look good. They reported that on average the provinces/territories only spend about about 6.3% over their overall healthcare budgets on mental health, and the state of mental health is 3x worse than before the pandemic,… Read more
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Reframing Debt
Eleven years ago, I found myself in debt. It wasn’t like a $300 credit card debt… it was **gulp** $26,000 credit card debt. And I kept it to myself. It wasn’t like I had intended for it to get that bad. But we had a house, and then my husband’s mental health tanked, so that’s… Read more
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The One With The Porch
Early in the morning is when I prefer to go on my runs. I live in a part of the city where there are quiet streets with beautiful old homes, many of them historic. Some of them are large homes, with large trees and wide landscaping with beautiful flowers and shrubs. But the ones I… Read more
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How Assessments Work
Getting your loved one an assessment is the process in which a medical professional will apply different assessment techniques to figure out what your loved one is struggling with. Learn more about the legal process for admitting a patient for assessment here An assessment is the gathering of information and then evaluating this information for… Read more
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Springing Ahead…
Every year we wait for it…. that final push towards spring, that extended hour of daylight. I don’t know about you, but that added bit of our day is like a big sigh of relief…we made it through winter! Read more
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Healthy Boundaries
Creating a boundary with someone you love and who is struggling is very very hard. If your loved one is mentally unwell, and going through a particularly difficult time, they may be displaying negative and even harmful behaviour. Read more
Braver Together 