The Mental Health Podcast

Season 3 | 17 Stress and burnout for high-performing women can often go unchecked. Essentially, they don’t have time for it, which makes the need to find solutions even more imperative. Dr. Julie Merriman has researched burnout in women and offers insights into alleviating it, especially among women over 50.

Season 3 | Episode 14 Caring for a teen living with a mental health challenge can push a family to the brink. Recovery College at Ontario Shores is offering a new course on how to care for your teen and yourself in this tumultuous time.

Season 3 | Episode 12 In our semi-regular feature, In Focus, we take a deep dive in Alzheimer’s Disease. We reveal 14 peer-reviewed modifications you can make to your life to possibly delay or even prevent almost half of Alzheimer’s diagnoses. Guests include one of Canada’s leading researchers of the disease, a newly diagnosed patient and an advocate who is working towards dementia friendly communities.

Season 3 | Episode 10 The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Often, a stressed-out kid at school means a stressed-out parent at home. This was just one result of a study released by Trent University that explains an epidemic of anxiety among youth. Parents tell researchers that they are “struggling to hang on.” One of the study’s authors, Professor Naomi Nichols, shares additional results and what can be done to improve things.

Season 3 | Episode 8 Cathrine Jansson-Boyd, a Professor of Consumer Psychology at Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge, U.K., is the expert retailers rely on to understand how we think—and spend. Chances are, her insights have influenced some of your past purchases without you even realizing it. At this time of year, the competition for your attention can feel overwhelming. We asked Professor Jansson-Boyd what to watch for when you’re navigating the malls.

Season 3 | Episode 6 - In the first episode of our new feature series, In Focus, we take a closer look at bipolar disorder, a condition that’s often misunderstood and frequently misdiagnosed. We hear from Pat Taylor, author of a powerful memoir about her journey living with bipolar disorder, which began before the term was even widely recognized. We also speak with a clinical expert to share the latest insights and information about the condition.

Season 3, Episode 3 -The strength of anything depends entirely on its resilience. This is especially true when it comes to our mental health. Dr. Robyne is a sought-after speaker, author and podcast host who specializes in resiliency. Discover how a near-tragic accident taught her powerful lessons about resilience, and how those lessons can help improve your mental health.

September 10 is Suicide Prevention Day. On average, 12 people per day die by suicide in Canada. Shockingly, it is the third leading cause of death for pre-teens and the second leading cause of death for teens and young adults. 988 is working to change these numbers. This episode’s guest is the Chief Medical Officer for the 988 Suicide Crisis Helpline, Dr. Allison Crawford.

Does anxiety and fear get in the way of doing things? Psychiatrist Dr. Lorraine Patterson shares simple, science-backed coping strategies, including an unexpected trick: carrying a rock in your pocket. Tune in to explore ways to feel more grounded.

Stubbornness or stigma? Why are men so hesitant to seek help for their mental health? June is Men’s Mental Health Month. It’s also the month during which we celebrate Father’s Day. In a new feature called Conversation Café, we’ve assembled a panel of men to discuss this issue.

It is perhaps the most prevalent addiction in the world. A Canadian study has found that one-third of the world’s population may be at high risk for smartphone addiction. This addiction has been linked to worsening mental health and well-being, poorer sleep, and lower grades in teens. Seth Fletcher is an addiction counsellor who specializes in smartphone addiction and has great advice on how to unplug and reconnect.

In a flash, our world has become a lot more uncertain. World order, threats of a collapsing economy, friends become adversaries, adversaries become friends. With the news bombarding us hourly with the next crisis, it is hard not to be anxious. Our mental health is being tested to its limits. In this episode, we speak with two experts, a psychologist and a leading neuroscience researcher, on how we can better cope with the news and seemingly being under attack.

In the second part of our conversation, former Degrassi star Stacie Moana Mistysyn opens up about her journey of overcoming dark thoughts and the importance of focusing on mental health. She shares how she’s learned to embrace ”glimmers” — moments of positivity — as a powerful tool for her well-being.