Over the years, we’ve seen a steady increase in mental health awareness. More and more, we’re hearing and talking about wellness, mindfulness, therapy, stress management and self-care. While it’s exciting to see increased interest in mental health, the popularization of wellness can sometimes lead to misinformation and the desire to profit from it—sometimes even called […]Continue readingBeneath the surface: Self-care myths and facts
Globally, one in six seniors has reported mistreatment.1 According to the WHO,2 “Mistreatment exists when a single or repeated act, or the absence of appropriate action, occurs in what should be a trusting relationship, causing harm or distress for the senior.” The mistreatment of seniors can take different forms, which can be subtle or deliberate […]Continue readingCombatting ageism: what we can do to fight the mistreatment of seniors
It is 9 p.m. Sasha is a volunteer for a crisis hotline, and among the calls received tonight was one from Camille: Hello. This is Sasha. My pronouns are he/she. Hello… I’m Camille… she. Thanks for calling, Camille. I’m here to listen. How are you today? Hum…je dirais que je feel pas…C’est la première fois […]Continue readingLGBTQ+ : discrimination and mental health
May 3, 2021 – The pandemic is taking an emotional toll on people in Canada, as 77% of adults report feeling so-called negative emotions as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The five most common responses across Canada were ‘worried or anxious,’ ‘bored,’ ‘stressed,’ ‘lonely or isolated’ and ‘sad’. This is according to the third […]Continue readingAssessing the Impacts of COVID-19 on Mental Health – 3rd round
In an interview that has garnered a great deal of media attention, Meghan Markle confided to Oprah that the institution of the British royal family let her know that asking for psychological help could tarnish its image. We cannot ignore these reported statements, which point to a persistent prejudice. While society advances, and we are all more aware of the […]Continue readingPrejudices that persist
A sigh. This is what I hear most often these days when there is talk for the umpteenth time of a pandemic, of health measures and social distancing. To these irritants, which wear out the patience of Quebecers, the optimism of an imminent exit from the health crisis is gradually fading. At the beginning of […]Continue readingA Balm Against Our Fatigue
Have you ever noticed that when first responders, such as paramedics and firefighters, arrive at a scene in response to an emergency, they do not rush or race toward it at full tilt? Yet, every minute counts when it comes to helping someone in distress. They remain calm and composed for a number of reasons. First, they know that their attitude will have a big impact on the general mood at the scene and how people behave. If they look disoriented and hasty, they may convey a sense of panic and disorganized urgency […]Continue readingYouth and Mental Health: In the Heat of the Action
Did you see the press conference? Christmas is cancelled. This was the email awaiting me on my computer, while thousands of variations of this same message were being shared, pretty much across the province. Shock, disappointment, frustration, and anger spread like a gust of powdery snow in a storm. After the hope that “normal” celebrations would be possible, many felt cheated. Others felt like the sacrifice and effort of recent months had all been for nothing. Yet others openly talked about […]Continue readingHow COVID Tried to Steal Christmas
You can learn to think and feel better! The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) has now expanded its BounceBack® program across Canada, thanks to a donation from Bell Let’s Talk. BounceBack is a free, guided self-help program that helps adults and youth 15+ learn to manage low mood, mild to moderate depression, anxiety, […]Continue readingIntroducing BounceBack program in Quebec
The global COVID-19 health crisis is crystallizing certain problems in contemporary society. This is the case both in terms of social inequality (income, isolation, access to services, living conditions) and the importance placed on ensuring the mental health of individuals. While the WHO’s definition of health gives mental health the same importance as physical health1, […]Continue readingThank you to all the caregivers!