The Mental Health Podcast

When it comes to New Year's Resolutions, we seldom think of making them for our kids, especially around their mental health. Child Psychologist Dr. Khush Amaria joins Kevin to talk about how new "habits" for our children that not only can be achievable, but that will give them coping lessons that will carry them into adulthood. Stay tuned at the end for our regular Coping Segment. 

It's supposed to be the "most wonderful time of year". For many, especially those living with depression disorders, it's a time of anxiety. Whether it's because of being lonely, money issues or struggling with family dynamics, some are left wishing for January 2nd to come so it can all be over. In this episode, Psychologist Dr. Lorraine Patterson talks about why we can't find the magic of the season and has some tips on coping with the holidays.  

As our population ages, the numbers of those living with dementia will increase right along. There is no cure and often the person's lifespan is only between 6 to 10 years. We rarely hear directly from those living with dementia exactly what it feels like. In this emotional episode, Bea Kraayenhof gives a first hand account of cognitive decline with messages for those diagnosed, their loved ones and for the public at large.

It can have the same impact on your health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Loneliness is a serious mental health issue, further complicated by the pandemic. Kevin's guests include social worker Loretta Karikari, from The Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences, and Michael DiIorio, a Loneliness Life Coach.

When it comes to mental health, our youth are in big trouble. Suicide is the second-leading cause of death for kids aged 10 to 19 years.  Youth who need mental health services are often not well supported: less than 20 per cent receive appropriate treatment. Why is it worse for youth today than it was years ago? What can we do about it? What should parents know? That is the topic of this episode of the Mental Health Podcast. Kevin Frankish's guests include Stacey Beaveridge, who works with adolescents at Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health, and Mike Foreman, star of an award winning documentary called "When Hope Breaks Through". 

What better place for a new podcast on mental health to begin than, well, the beginning. Dr Phil Klassen from Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences gives us the basics on depression, anxiety and other mental health issues. Also in this episode, Christina Fuda explains what Mental Health First Aid is and how you can use it with yourself and others. We also have what will be a recurring feature, "Coping", some quick advice and tips for dealing with your own mental health.