stig-ma ~ a mark of disgrace associated with a particular circumstance, quality or person People who live with mental illness face stigma every day; treated differently, as if they’re less than others. The stigma is very real and it hurts. Stigma occurs whenever there are negative judgements or stereotypes about those with any form of mental illness. When someone is called “dangerous” or “crazy”, that’s when stigma shows.Read More →
I was contacted by Lukas Schwarzenbacher from Islandart GmbH located in Switzerland. He had asked if I could place their short film on our website, and I am more than happy to.Read More →
Bell Let’s Talk is January 31 2018 and a great day to share those mental health resources for those who may need it. I have compiled a list below.Read More →
You know the affect abusive relationships can have on your mental health but did you know the toxic friend can have the same affect? When I was younger I remember my father telling me to be careful who you chose to be your friends. Who knew I’d have to need to hear these words when I was 40 years old.Read More →
I grew up in a household where I thought life was normal. I thought everyone’s parents fought, thought dad always beat and raped mom, thought playing mind games was normal, I thought this was what everyone lived like. Years later I’d come to realize, NO, this is not normal!Read More →
Children of all ages are naturally curious and constantly asking questions. We, as adults, need to be attentive and take the time to listen. The generation now, is exposed to the awareness of mental illness, more than previous generations. It’s our responsibility to help educate our children about the world around them.Read More →
Doug Smith is a Canadian retired former professional ice hockey player who played for the Los Angeles Kings, Buffalo Sabres, Edmonton Oilers, Vancouver Canucks and Pittsburgh Penguins over the course of his career. At 18 years old, Doug was drafted 2nd overall into the NHL to play for the Los Angeles Kings as their youngest player ever.Read More →
Ron Ellis started out as a professional hockey player to speaker, now speaks about his personal experience with depression. Ron Ellis is remembered for his career with the Toronto Maple Leafs and member of the Team Canada hockey team. During his 15 years as a professional player, he assisted in bringing the Stanley Cup home for the Leafs in 1967 and won against the Russians with Team Canada in the World Hockey Summit Series in 1972.Read More →
Chances are the majority of knowledge of mental health comes from the media. Researchers have suggested that most portrayals in the media are stereotypical, negative and incorrect. Stigma towards mental health has been in the media as far back as the 1800’s; “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde”; dissociative identity disorder, formerly called a split personality disorder or multiple personality disorder. Inaccurate portrayals of people with mental illness has created negative stereotypes in all types of media; internet, television and print material such as magazines and newspapers.Read More →
Joanie Malarchuk is wife of former NHL hockey player Clint Malarchuk. 28 years ago the then 27-year-old ice hockey goaltender, of the Buffalo Sabres, suffered one of the most gruesome injuries ever seen in professional sport. His throat cut by a stray skate, he survived thanks to his team’s trainer reaching into his neck to pinch shut the severed artery that would later need 300 stitches.Read More →