Shows
Life Unscripted - Stories of Mental Health and AddictionThe Working Mind - Encouraging Open Conversations About Mental Health The Working Mind is an evidence-based program developed by the Mental Health Commission of Canada teaching employees and managers about mental health, reducing stigma, and building workplace resilience. Participants learn to recognize mental health changes, have open conversations, and develop coping and stress-management skills, creating supportive and psychologically safe workplaces. This course is available in manager and employee versions.Janice is a facilitator, providing courses of The Working Mind. You can find more information at Janicearnoldi.com
2026-02-0124 minLife Unscripted - Stories of Mental Health and AddictionTips to Avoid Drinking During the December Party SeasonThere can be immense pressure to drink during the December Holiday Season. Work, friends and family are having parties and alcohol is synonymous with celebrating. It can be particulary difficult for people who are in early recovery.Janice Rutgers, Executive Director of Community Addiction Services of Niagara, shares practical, non-judgmental tips on making the holidays healthier for everyone.
2025-12-1222 minLife Unscripted - Stories of Mental Health and AddictionCASON Niagara - Help for Alcohol, Drug and Gambling AddictionCASON - Community Addiction Services of Niagara - provides comprehensive alcohol, drug and gambling addiction treatment for individuals and their families.Executive Director Janice Rutger talks about the challenges people and families face and the programs CASON offers.https://cason.ca/
2025-01-0725 minLife Unscripted - Stories of Mental Health and AddictionHomeless - It Could Happen to AnyoneWhen people see someone who is homeless they probably think it could never happen to them. But at some point in time a person living rough and in a shelter did have a home. They may have had a family, friends and a good job. There are so many reasons why people end up living rough – job loss, mental health, trauma or substance use. In Marni Katzman’s case, she was addicted to alcohol, and despite a few stints in rehab she wasn’t able to stop drinking vodka. Finally, her family had to make the hard decision to show s...
2024-03-1623 minLife Unscripted - Stories of Mental Health and AddictionHow to Use Mental Health Skills to Cope with PainDarcy Patrick is a Mental Health advocate, speaker, coach and author of 5 books about his journey from severe depression to wellness. Two years ago he ended up in hospital in excruciating back pain. Doctors still haven’t figured out what caused the serious erosion in two discs in his back and he still lives with debilitating pain. I met Darcy almost 10 years ago and he is one of the most determined people I know so I asked him to share how he’s using his mental health skills to help him live with constant pain.
2024-02-2124 minLife Unscripted - Stories of Mental Health and AddictionSchizophrenia – The Most Stigmatized and Misunderstood Mental IllnessSchizophrenia is the least understood and the most stigmatized any mental illness. Imagine how scary it can be for the person living with schizophrenia when every minute of the day voices in their head talking to them. When we hear someone yelling on the street, they're yelling at their voices. Signs and symptoms may vary, but usually involve delusions, hallucinations or disorganized speech, and reflect an impaired ability to function in daily routines.The stigma of is so strong that many people don’t want to talk about their illness, or aren't well enough, but Jes...
2024-02-1123 minLife Unscripted - Stories of Mental Health and AddictionFind Possibilities And Hope From Personal Stories About Mental HealthTara Mckendrick is Executive Director of Canadian mental health association Niagara. Taratalks about CMHA Niagara crisis services and also help define what is a crisis. Like most communities Niagara has a homeless and addiction crisis but Tara says we can’t just look at solving the problem, we have to find out the story of how a person got to where they are. It will help people think about possibilities and maybe find hope. Canadian Mental Health Association Niagiara: https://niagara.cmha.caCanadian Mental Health Association National: https://cmha.caIf you are having thou...
2024-02-0124 minLife Unscripted - Stories of Mental Health and Addiction9-8-8 - A New Canada-Wide Suicide Help Line9-8-8 is a new 3-digit suicide crisis help line is being rolled out across Canada. The line will connect people who are experiencing thoughts of suicide to their to their local suicide prevention lines and make it easier for areas that don’t currently have a line. 988 is for people who are in crisis but does not replace 911, which should still be called if someone is in danger or actively trying to harm themselves.The Center for Addiction and Mental Health was tasked with creating the line and to work with local mental health organizations to hel...
2024-01-1923 minLife Unscripted - Stories of Mental Health and AddictionNot Everyone Has Warm Socks - Everybody Deserves Warm FeetNo one likes to have cold feet and most of us take for granted that we can buy warm socks and be comfortable during the winter. But so many people who are homeless or struggling financially to keep food on the table aren’t able to buy basic necessities like socks. Kids are going to school without warm socks or sometimes no socks at all. SocksforChange.ca founder Sam Baio saw the need for warm socks and started Socksforchange.ca in Niagara, which is a volunteer run charity that donates thousands of warm wool socks to organizations and...
2024-01-1223 minLife Unscripted - Stories of Mental Health and AddictionMore People Need Food While Fewer People Can DonateFeed Ontario has released it’s annual Hunger Report. Five million people visited foods banks across the province in the past year. One in 6 identified as having a job. Sadly, food bank visits have increased at the same time people’s ability to give has declined. On the show today are Carolyn Stewart CEO of Feed Ontario and Christine Clark-Lafleur CEO of Port Cares and part of Feed Niagara.
2023-12-1024 minLife Unscripted - Stories of Mental Health and AddictionMedical Assistance in Dying for Mental Illness -Yes or No?A decision on whether to offer Medical Assistaince in Dying – or MaiD - to people living with a mental illness in Canada has been delayed again until March of 2024.It’s such a complex issue and there’s a real division in the mental health community over whether MaiD should be expanded to include mental health. Some psychiatrists are firmly against it and others are firmly in favour.We mostly hear about MaiD for people who have terminal illness with no chance of recovery, such as end stage cancer. But in fact, death doesn’t h...
2023-11-2624 minLife Unscripted - Stories of Mental Health and AddictionNational Addiction Awareness Week Focuses on Inspiration, Innovation and InclusionNational Addiction Awareness Week (Nov. 10-25, 2023) is spearheaded by the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction. Inspiration, Innovation and Inclusion is this year's focus. CCSA has released a report on the cost of substance use and addiction. It found that in 2020, substance use in Canada cost $49.1 billion, largely from alcohol and tobacco. Opioid deaths accounted for $7 billion with 75% of that attributed to young people dying. Marnie Prokator from Community and Addiction Services of Niagara, or CASON, talks about the wide variety of services CASON provides. They are free and no referral is needed.For mo...
2023-11-1923 minLife Unscripted - Stories of Mental Health and AddictionOverdoses From Stimulants Like Methamphetamine Are On the RiseThis year the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health is focusing it’s no one left behind fundraising campaign on substance use and addiction. Opioid use and deaths are still the biggest crisis with more 7300 deaths in Canada in 2022. But use of stimulants like methamphetamine, also know as crystal meth, is also increasing. Mixed drug toxicity, for example meth with an opioid, is a major contributor to overdoses and deaths.Dr. Leslie Buckley is chief of addcition services at CAMH and she’s on the show today to talk about stimulants.
2023-11-0924 minLife Unscripted - Stories of Mental Health and AddictionPathstone Mental Health New Point of Contact for All Children's ServicesImportant news from Pathstone Mental Health. Pathstone is now the direct access point for all publicly funded mental health services in Niagara for children aged birth-18 years. It's taking over from Contact Niagara so parents and youth now have a single intake number to call for all mental health services in the region.Please call or e-mail Pathstone directly at 905-688-6850 ext. 8 or intake@pathstone.ca You can also complete an intake form online at www.pathstonementalhealth.ca. Also exciting this fall is the opening of the River House location in Welland an...
2023-11-0624 minLife Unscripted - Stories of Mental Health and AddictionAttention Media! Learn How to Report About Violence Against WomenThe media plays an important role in forming public opinion and jouranists and their media outlets need to change the way they report on violence against women. Gillian’s Place - a shelter for women in Niagara - has put together a free online course on Responsible Media Reporting of Gender-Based Violence and Gendered Issues.The course dives into how much words matter and the ways media should report gender issues.Gillian’s Place Project Manager Laura Ip is on the show today to talk about this complex issue.Note: Thi...
2023-10-2923 minLife Unscripted - Stories of Mental Health and AddictionThe Healing Affect Of Peer Support For People With Mental IllnessTalking with someone who knows what you're going through can make all the difference when you're in hospital for treatment of a mental illness. Faith Rockburne, who is a Peer Support worker at St. Michaels Hospital in Toronto, finds personal healing for herself as well knowing that she is helping someone recover.Faith was on the show last week to talk about her lifelong battle with treatment resistant depression. Group therapy played a major role in her recovery and she's using that experience to help others.
2023-10-2024 minLife Unscripted - Stories of Mental Health and AddictionFaith's Compelling Story of a Lifetime of Anorexia, Anxiety and DepressionFaith Rockburne has lived with mental illness most of her life from anorexia as a teenager to severe depression as an adult. Her depression and anxiety got worse as she got older until she stopped going out of her house and eventually lost her job. Faith’s road to recovery has been long and difficult - anti-depressants didn’t work and after trying electro confulsive therapy – or ECT - she was told there was nothing left to try but group therapy. She did finally find an effective medication but she says the biggest change came...
2023-10-1623 minLife Unscripted - Stories of Mental Health and AddictionMore People in ERs Needing Help For Mental HealthEram Chhogala is an emergency room and trauma nurse at a hospital in Toronto. She says more and more people are coming to emergency rooms for help for mental health or substance use. She believes it's because there is so much financial stress – the cost of living or maybe losing a job – and they have no other place to go for help.
2023-10-1224 minLife Unscripted - Stories of Mental Health and AddictionHow to Help to Your Child Grieve When Their Pet DiesLosing a pet can be very hard but adults expect it when their pet gets to a certain age and we know it’s ok to be sad, even cry. Children feel the loss in a very different way and as parents we want to protect them from sadness and may feel it’s best to buffer the sadness with euphemisms, like "he’s gone to sleep" or "she’s gone away", leaving the child wondering when their pet will be home.Dr. Joshua Russel from Canisius University in Buffalo has focused much of his research on children...
2023-09-2524 minLife Unscripted - Stories of Mental Health and AddictionWhen Does Gambling for Fun Become an AddictionGambling is known as the hidden addiction. Many people play at online gaming sites, go to casinos or maybe they start by betting with friends or buying lottery tickets. For most people it's just some fun and doesn't affect their daily life. But for some the obession can lead to losing their family, friends and even their job.Community and Addiction Services of Niagara – or CASON - provides comprehensive treatment for alcohol, drug and gambling/gaming and internet addiction for individuals and their families. CASON's Marnie Prokator is on the show and you may be sur...
2023-09-1924 min2023-09-1122 minLife Unscripted - Stories of Mental Health and AddictionProtecting the Rights of Young Students to Use Preferred Pronouns At SchoolLast spring, New Brunswick became the first province to require teachers to have parental consent to use a child’s preferred name or pronoun in the classroom if they are under the age of 16. It’s a complete change from the previous policy that made if mandatory for teachers to use preferred names and pronouns for all children.Now Saskatchewan has implemented a similar policy, Ontario’s Education Minister believes parents should be making the decision although so far there has been no change in policy and Manitoba’s Progressive Conservative leader says she’ll bring in th...
2023-09-1122 minLife Unscripted - Stories of Mental Health and AddictionHelping Children Cope with the World They're InheritingEvery time I watch the news or read it online I think about how happy I am that I’m older. But I worry about my 15 year old nephew and my nieces and nephews who are now having children of their own. We’re used to wildfires in Canada but I don’t think there’s ever been a time when there have been so many raging at the same time and buring their way through communities and many people had to leave their homes. Who new we’d be breathing smoke from Quebec in southern Ontario. Politics in the U.S. i...
2023-09-0323 minLife Unscripted - Stories of Mental Health and AddictionCanadian Mental Health Association Niagara - Helping Adults With Their Mental HealthCanadian Mental Health Association Niagara is focused on providing mental health supports to adults in the Niagara Region. On top of mental counselling CMHA connects people to with housing and to other services they may need to lead a healthy life. It also provides crisis help:providing safe beds for people who need a short term place to staymobile mental health support through it’s Crisis Outreach and Support Team. Mobile Crisis Rapid Response Team has social workers riding with police to help diffuse and divert people in crisis from the hospital and sometimes arrest.CMHA Niagara Exec...
2023-08-0924 minLife Unscripted - Stories of Mental Health and AddictionInsanity-The Mental Health CrisisThe documentary Insanity – The mental health crisis by Canadian documentary film maker Wendy Hill-Tout tells the story of her brother Bruce – who was schizophrenic – and disappeared 25 years ago. Hill-Tout weaves her poignant family story with the mental health crisis we’re facing today. Steve Borisenko, whose son Jacob died of an overdose, talks about the documentary and the website savemylife.ca.
2023-07-2922 minLife Unscripted - Stories of Mental Health and AddictionTapping Into The Creative Side of People Living With Mental Illness and Substance Use DisorderThe Willow Arts Community is an arts + peer support organization dedicated to reducing barriers and providing opportunities for adult artists and creatives with lived and living experience of mental illness/substance use disorder in Niagara.The Willow is a non-profit offering free classes in many artistic mediums, including painting, writing and music. It uses the arts as an agent of social change by connecting and engaging with the public through exhibitions, publications, and performances to lessen the effects of stigma and social isolation.Shauna McLeod is founder and executive director of the Willow....
2023-07-1424 minLife Unscripted - Stories of Mental Health and AddictionValhalla Project Niagara for Vets & First Responders With PTSDThe Valhalla Project Niagara is a free non-profit charity for veterans and first responders with post traumatic stress disorder -PTSD. Valhalla’s flagship is it’s Learn to Live program which is a 5 day residential respite program based on peer support. Co-founder Graham Bettes says L2L is not a replacement for therapy but is a chance for people to share their experiences and learn some life skills.For more information: https://www.valhallaprojectniagara.org/
2023-07-1124 minLife Unscripted - Stories of Mental Health and AddictionPathstone Mental Health Teaches Kids With AngerKids can express anger in many ways – sometimes it’s a temper tantrum or getting angry at home or at school. A lot of this can be managed by the family, others may need some therapy, but some children need more intentsive anger management skills. Pathstone Mental Health has a live-in program at its Rotary House that helps kids find ways to deal with their anger. Christine Harvey heads up the program and talks about the problems kids face.
2023-07-1023 minLife Unscripted - Stories of Mental Health and AddictionEquity, Diversity and Inclusion. What Does It Mean for Business?Achieving real equity, diversity and inclusion in business is more than policies. But how do businesses assess and take action on EDI?Dr. Tapo Chimbganda helps companies and organizations across North Amerca identify and implement EDI actions and policies. While racism and gender are often the focus, she says people with physical disabilities can be overlooked because of the need to create a workplace that is accessible. Where to start? Do a search for "human rights code in businesses in Canada". Most of the information needed is included in the federal and provincial human rights cod...
2023-06-1223 minLife Unscripted - Stories of Mental Health and AddictionPride Is Stronger Than Ever in 2023. What's Next for 2SLGBTQ+ People?Pride month 2023 is in full swing . Ten years ago there were about a dozen people gathering to Montebello Park in St. Catharines to celebrate. This weekend thousands were in the park. Pride flags are flying at all municipalties around Niagara, schools and most businesses are recognizing the 2SLGBTQ+ community. Pride Niagara Chair Enzo De Ditivitiis talks with Janice Arnoldi on Life Unscripted about what it was like as a kid growing up gay, where we are today and what he hopes for the future for all 2SLGBTQ+ people.
2023-06-0423 minLife Unscripted - Stories of Mental Health and AddictionBirchway Niagara - A Safe Haven from Domestic AbuseBirchway Niagara (formerly Women's Place) has amalgamated its shelters into one to provide more and better services in South Niagara for women and childeren experiencing domestic abuse. Executive Director Jennifer Gauthier says shelter services are growing as gender violence continues to increase. Her dream is to come to work one day and find she doesn't have a job because gender abuse doesn't exist. For now the Birchway shelter is a safe haven.
2023-05-2324 minLife Unscripted - Stories of Mental Health and AddictionAre there good homeless and bad homeless?Does society divide people who are homeless into good and bad? Most people would say no, but sub-consciously many of us see a dividing line. The "good" homeless are people who lost their home and are new to living without a roof - maybe they lost their job and can't afford rent. Then there's the "bad" - the people who are living rough because of mental illness, addiction struggles or both. Karen Orlandi is studying for a doctorate in social justice, specifically the cost of homelessness. She is minister at Silver Spire Church in downtown St. Catharines an...
2023-05-1724 minLife Unscripted - Stories of Mental Health and AddictionBlue Guardian App Helps Kids Track Their Mental HealthThe Blue Guardian app uses AI to help kids identify how they are feeling. Founder Emmanuel Akindelay had some bad experiences with mental health as a child, including teachers who just brushed him off rather than offering help. But while AI like ChatGPT uses publicly available intelligence and knowledge to make information hyper available to anyone, Blue Guardian only tracks emotional intelligence based solely on the individual using the app. You can dowload Blue Guardian for free from your app store.
2023-05-0924 minLife Unscripted - Stories of Mental Health and AddictionThe RAFT: Keeping Teens Connected to School, Home, Community and ConfidenceThe RAFT started in 1992 as a homeless shelter for young people. In the last 30 years it has grown into so much more then a shelter. Many of the kids have left school and are estranged from their families. The RAFT teaches them life skills, helps them find housing and work and importantly to rebuild a new relationship with their families. Executive Director Mike Lethby talks about The RAFT. To learn more go to theraft.ca
2023-05-0123 minLife Unscripted - Stories of Mental Health and AddictionHorses Help At Risk Kids Learn Life SkillsAnimals can be so emotionally healing. Therapeutic dogs visit people in long term care homes and more and more we see people with a service dog that provides emotional support. We’re also learning about the healing affect of horses on people experiencing post traumatic stress. Horse Sense for Kids in Niagara is a non-profit helping at risk kids who are struggling to to cope with life. The program has partnered with children’s organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters, Pathstone Mental Health and Family and Children Service’s Niagara.Brenda and Rob Langedoon talk about H...
2023-04-2523 minLife Unscripted - Stories of Mental Health and AddictionWhy Is Violence So Often Linked to Mental Illness?We seem to be seeing more unspeakable violence. It's so hard to understand how someone could perpetrate a mass shooting, a random killing or the murder of a loved one. All too often the go-to explanation is mental illness. In reality, few violent crimes are perpetrated by someone who is mentally ill. Janice and Jennifer Fisk talk about the relationship of mental illness and violence.
2023-04-1824 minLife Unscripted - Stories of Mental Health and AddictionInternational Transgender Day of VisibilityEvery year March 31st marks the International Transgender Day of Visibility. It's a day to raise awareness of the discrimination transgender men and women face. It's a day to respect a trans person's human rights.For Ally Phillips this is just one day of 365 days a year that all of us should show our understanding and compassion, and embrace trans men and women who add so much to the life of every community. Ally talks about his decision to transition, what its means to his mental health and the disovery of his faith.
2023-03-2825 minLife Unscripted - Stories of Mental Health and AddictionSupport for the Homeless - Niagara Assertive Street Outreach TeamNiagara’s Assertive Street Outreach (NASO) Team actively engages individuals, across Niagara, experiencing unsheltered homelessness to promote, connect, and coordinate access to the range of supports available across Niagara’s Homeless-Serving System, including emergency shelter, housing and support services.
2023-03-1923 minLife Unscripted - Stories of Mental Health and AddictionInflation and Isolation the Biggest Stressors Going into 2023For the past three years I’ve been following the monthly Mental Health Index - which surveys people in the workforce about the state of their mental health. Paula Allen Senior Vice President of Research and Total Wellness at Telus Health, formerly Life Works, says while anxiety is still high on people’s radar inflation and isolation are the biggest stressors. She says it’s paramount to get rid of stigma in the workplace and create an atmosphere where fellow employees can help by looking out for each other and where leaders are be able to recog...
2023-03-0124 minLife Unscripted - Stories of Mental Health and AddictionAccepting Her Hair Inspires a Young Black Girl to Write a BookFor Black women hair is intrictly woven into their family and their culture from an early age. In this show you'll hear from an extraordinary 10 year old, Normani Hamilton, who has written a book My Beautiful Hair.Also, Kerry Goring, a hairdresser, talks about the deep cultural connection and meaning of hair and how it is empowering Black women.
2023-02-2724 minLife Unscripted - Stories of Mental Health and AddictionWill Psychedelics Help People Living With Depression?Many of us think about magic mushrooms when we hear the word psilocyben. It is the psychedelic in "shrooms" that creates the high or "trip", says Dr. Ishrat Husain at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. Dr. Husain and his team are researching the effectiveness of psilocyben to treat people with depression who have not responded to other medication. Dr. Husain took part in a world-wide study just published in The New England Journal of Medicine that found that psilocyben may be a viable answser.
2023-02-2024 minLife Unscripted - Stories of Mental Health and AddictionHolding Hands - Photos of the Simple Act of Human TouchSeveral years ago street photograper Diane Conn was out and about and by chance took a photo of a couple holding hands. She became fascinated by the sense of wellbeing she felt from exerpiencing two people holding hands and continued to take photos of people when she was out with her camera. She took all the photos from behind which allows you to use your imagination about the two people and find answers to questions - Why do we hold hands? Why do we love watching people hold hands? How does the simple act of holding hands heal us?
2023-02-1023 minLife Unscripted - Stories of Mental Health and AddictionIntimacy Takes Many Forms - From Simple Touch To SexIntimacy is a challenge that most couples face at some point in their relationship. It's not always about sex. It can be lack of touch or emotional connection. But often people struggling with depression, anxiety and many other mental health issues feel numb and unable to connect at any level.Sensuality coach Kerry Goring has some tips about how to get intimacy back into any relationships.
2023-01-2924 minLife Unscripted - Stories of Mental Health and AddictionLife Unscripted's Host Janice Arnoldi Tells Her Story of Bipolar DisorderI have been honoured to have so many people share their personal stories of mental health and addiction with me on Life Unscripted. Over the past 20 years I've talked openly about my struggles with bipolar 1 disorder. So I was really surprised how nervous I was when I sat on the other side of the mic at 610CKTB to talk to afternoon host Walter Sendzik.
2023-01-2324 minLife Unscripted - Stories of Mental Health and AddictionStigma Rears It's Ugly Head AgainStigma is still a reality for many people. I've talked to Jennifer Fisk in the past about how she overcame the stigma she felt about her rampant anxiety, both with friends and work colleagues. Jennifer thought she had conquered stigma until she moved to new job and it started all over again. It was her dream job and Jennifer went back to hiding her anxiety because she thought poeple would think she couldn't do the job. It was bad enough that she believed she was in over her head. Now she had to start finding ways to avoid anxious sit...
2023-01-2323 minLife Unscripted - Stories of Mental Health and AddictionWe Need to Talk to Our Kids About SuicideDying by suicide is the 2nd higest cause of death for kids between the ages of 15 and 19, only slightly behind accidents. Ryan Andres, who works with at risk children at Pathstone Mental Health, says the number of children thinking about suicide has increased at a much higher rate than deaths. He talks about the signs parents and friends should look for.
2022-12-0624 minLife Unscripted - Stories of Mental Health and AddictionPhotographer Changes the Lens on Body PositivityJennifer McCready owns Lady Luck Photography and is a strong advocate for ending stigma for mental illness, as well as body positivity. Jennifer photographs aren't your average portraits. They are unique, colourful and fun and they've helped many women feel positive about themselves and their bodies. Jennifer is now working on a TV series about body positivity. At the same time, she has lived through the worst depression she has experienced.At the end of the day, Jennifer's message is always positive!Check out Jennifer's work:http://www.lady-luck-pinups.com and facebook.com/ladyluckphotographystudio
2022-09-0524 minLife Unscripted - Stories of Mental Health and AddictionNever Mind School SupliesPathstone Mental Health’s Back-to-School Prep Tips equips students with the tools they need for a successful year.The start of a new school year can be extra tough for kids and with Canadian statistics stating that 1 in every 5 children (expected to increase to 1 in every 4) will experience a mental health struggle as a result of the pressures caused by the pandemic, the need for mental health support with children, youth and families has never been greater.To help parents measure their readiness in identifying and supporting their child’s mental health stru...
2022-08-3024 minLife Unscripted - Stories of Mental Health and AddictionBe Positive About Your BodyFeeling positive about their bodies has always been a struggle for teens. Many constantly compare themselves to others and never match up. This can lead to mental and physical health issues. Lee-Ann Smith is a social worker at Pathstone Mental Health and a strong proponent of the Body Positivity Movement to help teens and parents learn healthy, nurturing skills to defeat negative thinking.
2022-06-2822 minLife Unscripted - Stories of Mental Health and AddictionAnother Year. Another Staggering Number of Opioid Deaths.2022 brings another startling number of opioid deaths in Canada. Niagara has one of the highest death rates in Ontario. Positive Living Niagara runs a program called Streetworks to connect with people are who are living rough. Talia Storm talks about helping people, including a safe drug supply and noloxone.It’s important to note that opioids are everywhere and addiction and deaths affect people from all walks of life.Here are some contacts if you or someone you know needs help.Mental Health and Addictions Access Line: 1-866-550-5205For youth go to Pa...
2022-06-1224 minLife Unscripted - Stories of Mental Health and AddictionHuman Trafficking. It Can Happen Right In Your BackyardHuman and sex traffickers will often bring their victims, mostly women, to Canada from the U.S. at border crossings like Niagara. Niagara has become the epicentre for trafficking. But Canadian women, the vulnerable and children are also targetted. YWCA Niagara has a program, including a safe house, to help get people away and safe from their captors. Kayla Mayer manages the program.
2022-06-1023 minLife Unscripted - Stories of Mental Health and AddictionSexual Abuse. From Shame to Healing.Kelly-Anne Appleton was just 10 years old when her Roman Catholic parish priest began sexually abusing her. The priest started grooming her by making her feel special, inviting her fold flyers and giving her candy. It progressed to sexual abuse and for two years Kelly-Anne kept visiting him. For years she believed it was her fault because priests were thought to be above reproach and even next to God. She has worked hard to overcome the shame and is passionate about helping other women as a Mindset & Success Coach. Kelly-Anne has also written about her story in a collaborative book wi...
2022-05-2224 minLife Unscripted - Stories of Mental Health and AddictionSimple Steps To Managing WellnessCalming your brain can be as easy as taking five deep breaths when you wake up, at mid-day and before you go to sleep and anytime you're feeling frazzled. Author Darcy Patrick says falling in love with your breath will help you deal with stress and anxiety. And guess what - there's no right way to be mindful. Practicing mindfullness can simply be whatever works for you to take you away from the frenzy of life for a while. Darcy writes for people struggling with their mental health but his books are for everyone. His latest book, Managing Wellness, br...
2022-05-0924 minLife Unscripted - Stories of Mental Health and AddictionAngry Kids Learn to Control the UncontrollableThere are a lot of reasons kids get angry. Sometimes frustration boils over, sometimes it's the stress of being a teenager or it may be conflict at home. For some children the anger becomes ingrained and they can't control it. They need some time away in a safe place to learn how to diffuse the feelings. Rotary House has a 12 week live-in program where kids continue to go to school but live with their peers who are also working to overcome anger. A Pathstone Mental Health therapist is on-site to also help them learn new ways to cope and bu...
2022-04-1024 minLife Unscripted - Stories of Mental Health and AddictionFirst COVID. Now War. Too Much For Our Kids?Our children have lived through unprecendented stress during two years of the coronovirus pandemic. What a relief for many now schools are open, no more masks and the future looks normal. Now they've hit with the war in the Ukraine and kids of all ages are afraid there will be a World War. Therapist Angel Graham from Pathstone Mental Health works with children and says, while kids are resilient they have a lot of questions. Angel has some suggestions for parents to help them alleviate their child's fears.
2022-04-0523 minLife Unscripted - Stories of Mental Health and AddictionStaying At Home Suits Me Just FineMany people celebrated the end of the lockdown. Shopping with no mask. Going out for dinner with no proof of vaccination. But for people with severed anxiety and panic attacks the world opening up was scary. Secretly, they didn't really want to leave their home but felt foolish telling anyone. Jennifer Fisk and Janice Arnoldi talk about how they are adjusting to life on the outside. Jennifer is a former president of Canadian Mental Health Association, Niagara and has lived her whole life with severe anxiety and panic attacks.
2022-04-0323 minLife Unscripted - Stories of Mental Health and AddictionMy Son Died of an Accidental OverdoseJacob Borisenko died last June after taking anti-anxiety pills he bought off the street which his dad Steve believes were contaminated with fentynal. Steve Borisenko is with me today to talk about his son’s death and the advocacy work he’s doing in the hopes that no one else will have to die.We’re starting to see the final numbers for opioid overdoses and deaths in Niagara in 2021. More people were taken to hospital for a suspected overdose. But the most shocking is the number of people who died. While we don’t have the final co...
2022-03-1124 minLife Unscripted - Stories of Mental Health and AddictionA Young Man's Story Of Living Terminal Brain CancerAndrew Dodge was only 38 years old when he was diagnosed with a rare type of brain cancer in 2019. The cancer is terminal. The average life span is 14 years. Anyone who meets Andrew will see that part of his skull was removed during surgery to remove the turmor. He doesn't hide it under a hat. It's important to Andrew that other young people living with cancer know that it doesn't have to define them. It's hard work to stay on track and live life but he and his wife Kat are determined to get the most out of their time toge...
2022-03-0723 minLife Unscripted - Stories of Mental Health and AddictionAutism Service Dogs Provide Safety, Companionship and Stress Relief Autism service dogs play a special role in helping children and youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). They provide safety, constant friendship and help with behavioural issues. Allison Savard, Director of Client Services at Autism Dog Services, says safety is often the main reason a family gets a service dog. Kids with autism can suddenly bolt and not stop when called. The service dog is attached to the child and trained to stop and wait. Savard says the dog often brings a family together. They may never have done anything outside the house as a family group for fear thei...
2022-03-0723 minLife Unscripted - Stories of Mental Health and AddictionShining the Light on Mental Health and Addiction in the Black CommunityIn 2017, Fabiola Philippe lost her life after years of battling mental illness and addiction. Fabiola was a mother, a sister, a daughter, and a friend. She was also Black and through the tragedy Fabiola's family realized that help for mental health and addiction just wasn't equal for people in the Black community. In 2018, Fabiola's sister Marie Philippe Remy and her daughter Lydia Philippe started Fabiola’s Addiction and Mental Health Awareness & Support Foundation. FAHMAS raises awareness about mental health and addiction in the Ottawa community. It started as a place where people living in the Ottawa area could come tog...
2022-03-0324 minLife Unscripted - Stories of Mental Health and AddictionHow Do You Know If Your Child Has ADHD? Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is misunderstood and tricky to diagnose. Children with ADHD are often thought to be rowdy or undisciplined because they can’t stay still. They may seem unmotivated and lacking willpower. It's easy to think your child just doesn't want to do something as simple as cleaning their room. ADHD is a spectrum. Some kids have difficulty concentrating while others find organizing their thinking to acheive simple tasks can be really challenging.
2022-02-1023 minLife Unscripted - Stories of Mental Health and AddictionWorking in a Restaurant Can Be Toxic for Mental HealthCustomers in restaurants expect the people who work there to always have a smile on their face and be respectful to their needs. Yet, too often customers don't give the same kindness and respect back. Chef Adam Hyndman-Smith, who owns Dispatch Restauraunt in St. Catharines, says the food services industry has to change and start protecting their employees. Adam says those smiling faces are often covering mental health and physical stress that is rampant in the industry. It's not just verbal abuse from unhappy diners. Women, who are the majority of front of house staff, often experience unacceptable touching, fli...
2022-01-2824 minLife Unscripted - Stories of Mental Health and AddictionUnderstanding Autism Spectrum DisorderOne in 66 children and youth in Canada is diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder according to the latest study in done in 2018. Autism affects the way a person interacts with the world around them. Engaging in relationships or being able to socialize is often difficult. Chrissy Sadowski's 11 year old son Darius is non-verbal autistic. He doesn't speak or understand simple tasks. Chrissy talks about how life isn't always easy with Darius but the family has learned his needs and actions. Chrissy is the Fund Developtment and Volunteer Coordinator for Autism Ontario South Region. She also has a coa...
2022-01-2424 minLife Unscripted - Stories of Mental Health and AddictionShe Watched Her Dad Die of COVID-19 - A Nurse's PleaDay in and day out Nurse Eram Chhogala, who is a trauma and ER nurse in Toronto, treats people with COVID -19 who come into the emergency struggling to breathe. Too many times she has moved patients to intensive care where they are often put on life support and in some cases die. Then Eram experienced an unimaginable personal tragedy when her dad came into emergency at the hospital where she worked having difficulty breathing. It's impossible to imagine the anguish Eram felt as she watched her dad move to ICU where he died. Eram has nursed so many pe...
2022-01-1624 minLife Unscripted - Stories of Mental Health and AddictionHorses are Amazing Therapy for Your Mental HealthAnyone who knows me knows that I love horses. I believe everyone who is living with a mental health issues or addiction should own or have access to a pet. It helps with lonliness and also means being responsible for another living being. Not everyone can own a horse but some therapists are adding Equine therapy to their traditional in- office approach. Firefighter Rob Leathen, who I've interviewed in the past about his post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), says working with horses and donkeys has been an immense help in his journey to wellness.
2022-01-1124 minLife Unscripted - Stories of Mental Health and AddictionDepression, Anxiety, Isolation and Optimism Gets Worse and WorseCanadians are feeling more depressed, increased anxiety and feelings of isolation. It's hard to feel optimistic, especially now that we're in the midst of the Omicron varient, throwing everything up in the air again.The international HR firm Life Works has been tracking Canadian's mental health since the beginning of the pandemic and it releases a monthly Mental Health Index. Paula Allen is Senior Vice President of Research and Total Wellness and says this latest report looked at job responsibilities and work relationships and found managers are having a harder time coping and many feel they're in cr...
2021-12-2024 minLife Unscripted - Stories of Mental Health and Addiction2021-No Surpise There's Even More Opioid Overdoses and DeathsWhen we look at opioid overdoses we tend to focus on the number of deaths, most often the result of fentanyl in the drug. There is no doubt that these tragic deaths are increasing. But there are many more people who are taken to hospital emergency rooms or treated where they are. Marty Mako from Niagara Emergency Medical Services talks about everything from medical intervention to noloxone to available services and how to access them.
2021-12-0823 minLife Unscripted - Stories of Mental Health and AddictionWatching A Loved One Disappear From Alzheimer's DiseaseA half a million people in Canada live with some form of dementia. One in five Canadians have some experience caring for their loved one. The most common form of dementia is Alzheimer's Disease. It steals the memories of the person living with it until they don't even recognize their family. Families watch as their loved one disappears. Cassandra Best helps care for her mom who is living with Alzheimer's. She also works at the Alzheimer Society of Niagara.
2021-11-2923 minLife Unscripted - Stories of Mental Health and AddictionGet Your Plaid On and Support Children's Mental Health#ProjectPlaid launched in 2019 after the tragic loss of Amelia Durocher to suicide. Amelia loved to wear plaid and taking quick action with a resolve to not let this happen to other kids and families, her mom Shanta created #ProjectPlaid. It not only helped her cope, it quickly became a connection for those who were struggling and it’s now a mental health movement. November is plaid month and Shanta's goal is to elevate awareness of suicide prevention and to help kids talk to their friends about their mental health. Project Plaid is also hopes to ra...
2021-11-2125 minLife Unscripted - Stories of Mental Health and AddictionWant to Help a Child Who Is Grieving? Be Honest!Children grieve in different ways than adults, but even infants grieve. Kids are often too young to understand euphimisms like "loss". Children's grief therapist Angel Graham says it may seem harsh but adults need to be direct and use real words like "died" so a child understands that death is permanent. November18 is Children's Grief Awareness Day.
2021-11-0924 minLife Unscripted - Stories of Mental Health and AddictionAttention Managers! Mental Health Is Your PriorityManagers and supervisors are going to have to re-think the way they interact with their teams. There has been a lot of information about how people will work – fully remote, hybrid or full time back in the office, shift work, retail or any other job. Life has been very fluid with work tied to COVID 19 restrictions and re-openings. The uncertainty has put an immense amount of strain on peoples’ mental health and many senior managers have only been able to stay one step ahead.Nick Pollice of Pollice Management Group says mental health should be the priority. He cal...
2021-10-2224 minLife Unscripted - Stories of Mental Health and AddictionDealing With Anxiety By Accepting It's HappeningThere are different techniques and tools to help people recognize and deal with different mental illness disorders. Probably the best know are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. ACT is ofen used to treat anxiety. Psychologist Steve Abma talks about how accepting situations that make you anxious can be the key to stopping it.
2021-10-1923 minLife Unscripted - Stories of Mental Health and AddictionThis Will Not Break Me - A Woman's Story About Postpartum DepressionThere is so much stigma and shame attached to postpartum depression many women don't get help. It is a big, horrible secret they may even keep even from their husbands. It can be hard to understand how a mother wouldn't love her child from the moment they're born. But as many as 1./4 of women suffer with postpartum depression. When Jessica Gale Friesen had her first baby she thought she'd love him unconditionally. But postpartum depression stopped her from bonding. Jessica has written a book about her experience - This Will Not Break Me.
2021-10-1123 minLife Unscripted - Stories of Mental Health and AddictionWellness Walls in Schools Help Kids Talk About Mental HealthWellness Walls are going up in every school across Niagara to provide a safe space for kids to talk, take-action and support fellow students about their mental health. Students from JK to grade 12 can put an anonymous message about how they're feeling on a post-it note on the Wall. Other kids are encouraged to post notes of support - some from kids who have had the same experience and share their coping skills. The Wellness Walls are partnership between Pathstone Mental Health and the two school boards in Niagara. Andrea Bozza, the mental health lead at the Niag...
2021-10-0424 minLife Unscripted - Stories of Mental Health and AddictionLiving in Fear of Physical and Sexual ViolenceFor years, Nicole Regher lived fear of her abusive husband. When they were dating Nicole thought her boyfriend kept close track of her because he cared. Almost as soon as they were married he became violent. Nicole escaped her marriage and now helps women like her at Gillian's Place, a shelter for abused women in Niagara, where she is Director of Development & Violence Prevention Programs. https://gilliansplace.com.
2021-09-3023 minLife Unscripted - Stories of Mental Health and AddictionTraditional Healing is Critical For Indigenous Mental HealthIndigenous peoples are at a much higher risk of mental illness and addiction than the general population. Culture and traditional healing is central to the overall wellness of First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples. Renee Linklater, Senior Director at Shkaabe Makwa at the Centre for Addiction and Mental health, says trauma and racism has passed through the generations – especially the horrific abuse and deaths of children at residential schools in Canada.
2021-09-2723 minLife Unscripted - Stories of Mental Health and AddictionA Friend's Story of Living with ALSLast June, my friend Steve Gallagher shared his story with me about living with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease). It was just before the #walktoendALS and Steve and I talked about living with the disease and advocating for ALS. There are really no treatments. Health Canada has announced a new drug trial but it will be at least a year before testing is finished.I'm replayling the interview with Steve to put a focus on the need for treatment for people with ALS. Watch Steve's video on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/steven.gallagher.129/posts/10157781128741739
2021-09-2324 minLife Unscripted - Stories of Mental Health and AddictionMy Dementia Won't Hold Me BackWhen Paul Lea was in his late 50s he had a massive stroke affecting 25% of his brain. He pretty much gave up on life when he was diagnosed with vascular dementia. With help from his daughter and sheer determination Paul retrained his brain and developed coping skills. But his advocacy for people with dementia has made the biggest difference. Paul is part of the Centre for Addictions and Mental Health Not Today. campaign raising awareness of its world class research into mental illnesses and addictions - https://www.camh.ca/en/today-campaign.
2021-09-2022 minLife Unscripted - Stories of Mental Health and AddictionPost Traumatic Stress Disorder - A Firefighter's StoryClose your eyes and imagine yourself running into a burning building, putting out the flames and saving someone caught in the fire. Firefighter Rob Leathen has been doing just that for 30 years. Rob describes his Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) that has been part of his life for most of his career. Rob works hard on his own life but also with others suffering with PTSD. He is part of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (camh.ca) campaign - Today - highlighting the amazing research CAMH is doing into solving the mysteries of mental illness.
2021-09-1324 minLife Unscripted - Stories of Mental Health and AddictionNot Suicide. Not Today. Recognizing the signs and talking about suicide.It's estimated that 700,000 people die by suicide world wide every year. In Canada, 10 people die by suicide every day. Another 200 people will attempt so. Dr. Javeria Zaheer from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health talks about how to recognize the signs of suicide and reach out to a person you believe is in danger. Visit camh.ca for more information on suicide.
2021-09-0923 minLife Unscripted - Stories of Mental Health and AddictionWe Couldn't Grieve During COVID - Now What?Losing a loved one is hard. Grieving is hard. But grieving, gathering with friends and family and sharing memories is what helps us slowly deal with loss. The pandemic stole that from all of us. My father-in-law died in February 2020, a month before the first lockdown. It was so hard for the family to grieve in total isolation. Grief specialist Dr. Darcy Harris, a professor at the University of Western Ontario, says as the world begins to open up people may have to face the grief all over again as they see friends and family for the fir...
2021-09-0723 minLife Unscripted - Stories of Mental Health and Addiction#ConvoPlate is a father's campaign to raise awareness of youth suicideBrian Hansell lost his son Paul to suicide in 2010 when Paul was just 18. While Brian will never recover from his son's death he celebrates his life with the Paul Hansell Foundation committed to raising youth mental health awareness in Canada. The Foundation's #ConvoPlate are travelling around the world starting conversations about mental health about the importance of mental health in all our lives. You can keep them going with your own individually painted plate. Here's how:Step 1 - Register a #ConvoPlate at paulhansellfoundation.comStep 2 - Take a picture of yourself with the plate and...
2021-09-0724 minLife Unscripted - Stories of Mental Health and AddictionNurses Are On the Frontline of the Frontline of COVID 19Eram Chhogala, an emergency trauma nurse who works at two major hospitals in Toronto, talks about 17 months of extreme stress working on the frontline of the pandemic, treating people with severe COVID 19. There were days the ER was so full of patients, nurses and doctors were forced to treat people in hallways. Some nurses are considering leaving their jobs once the pandemic is over.
2021-08-3124 minLife Unscripted - Stories of Mental Health and AddictionMental health Prep Kit for back to schoolIt's the end of the summer and kids in Ontario are going back to school in person for the first time since last March. That's on top of the 20 weeks when schools were shuttered in 2020.Angel Graham is a social worker at Pathstone Mental Health, which provides mental health services to children. She shares TIPS on prepping your whole family for back to school, a time that can be particularly difficult for kids who already have mental health issues.
2021-08-3024 minLife Unscripted - Stories of Mental Health and AddictionThe Big Let GoAuthor and mental health advocate Darcy Patrick talks about his new book The Big Let Go. Darcy talks about how he let go of control so he could gain control of his new life moving forward from his depression. Darcy had struggled for over 38 years from depression and had to make a call for help which was one of the most difficult things he had ever done. Since the release of Darcy’s book his life has changed dramatically. He became a public speaker doing talks all around Southern Ontario for many different mental health and...
2021-08-2723 minLife Unscripted - Stories of Mental Health and AddictionHoarding - It can happen to anyone!Many of us think of hoarders as the people on TV who have rooms full of junk, or at its worse, so much stuff they have to walk through warrens to get around their house. Elaine Birchall has been working with people who hoard for the 20 years.
2021-08-0324 minLife Unscripted - Stories of Mental Health and AddictionOwn Your Stigma "You can talk to me about mental health and dogs" or "Be kind to your mind" are just two of the anti-stigma messages on clothing from the online store ownyourstigma.com. Allison and Brian Gilbank are trying to reduce the stigma of people living with mental illness with t-shirts, sweatshirts, hats and mugs. A portion of sales is donated to mental health organizations and charities.
2021-07-0223 minLife Unscripted - Stories of Mental Health and AddictionMental Health Index May 2021People are drinking more and using more drugs as we reach 15 months of COVID in Canada. The international HR company LifeWorks released it's monthly Mental Health Index for May 2021. The May report focuses on the increase in alcohol and drug use and how it's affecting mental health.
2021-06-2724 minLife Unscripted - Stories of Mental Health and AddictionPathstone TV Helping Children With Their Mental HealthPathstone Mental Health is a children's mental health organization in Niagara. Their online TV video chats led by mental health experts and professionals help children understand topics like resiliency, anxiety, gratitude, self-awareness. https://pathstonementalhealth.ca/pathstonetv/
2021-05-0222 min2021-02-1323 minLife Unscripted - Stories of Mental Health and AddictionQuest Community Health Centre Goes VirtualQuest Community Health Centre in St. Catharines has taken most of it's services online, one of the first service organizations in Niagara to build a robust online presence. Quite a task when most of their clients are living with low incomes and many find it difficult to get internet access. Executive Director Nancy Garner talks about some of the unique ways Quest is communicating.
2020-06-0723 minLife Unscripted - Stories of Mental Health and AddictionBrain Trauma Changes Everything in LifeRachel Epp owns her own business. She's a real entreprenuer. A few years ago she suffered a serious brain trauma. Rachel had to make serious changes in how she lives her life and runs her business. As hard as it is to live with a brain trauma, she says some changes have made her life better.
2020-05-3124 minLife Unscripted - Stories of Mental Health and AddictionOntario's Bounce Back Cognitive Behavioural TherapyBounce Back is an online Cognitive Behavioural Therapy program created by the Canadian Mental Health Association with support from the Ontario government. The government is increasing funding to the program as more and more people struggle with their mental health.
2020-05-2423 minLife Unscripted - Stories of Mental Health and AddictionViolence Against Women Is IncreasingPhysical violence by a partner is increasing as the pandemic continues with more women at home with their abuser. At the same time, the women are afraid to reach out to places like women's shelter Gillian's Place, scared that they'll be caught and the violence will get worse.
2020-05-1723 minLife Unscripted - Stories of Mental Health and AddictionKids in a Pandemic. Bring Back Board Games!Our kids are coping in a world they really don't understand. Both mom and dad may be working from home, school is weird, play dates are cancelled. Psychologist Cindy Rose gives parents some tips on how to keep the home as normal as possible and activities they can do. Limiting screen time is hard and she suggests trying some old school fun.
2020-05-1023 minLife Unscripted - Stories of Mental Health and AddictionNo Family. No Friends. Hospice Is A Lonely Place.Hospice care is locked down and no family or friends can visit with people who are at the end of their life. There isn't even human touch as staff are wearing full PPE gear. The staff at Hospice Niagara are finding it so hard to only communicate their caring through a plastic sheild and medical mask.
2020-04-2050 min