DCO Discourse...

Moving Forward Through Partnerships

About the show

Discussions on topics related to mental health, addictions, and life in Ontario, Canada. We aim to provide our listeners with tools and resources that will help them to improve their own mental health and wellness, as well as tools to help them support their family members, loved ones, and their communities at large. If you would like to provide feedback and/or request future topics, please use the following link: https://forms.gle/MhSNiyMm2c2xsiv8A.

We regret to announce that the ONTX text and chat program will cease operations on November 30th, 2023. Text and chat services will remain available until that date, however, they will no longer be accessible starting December 1st, 2023. If you are seeking support alternatives, we encourage you to visit our website at www.dcontario.org/locations to locate your nearest Member centre, some of which provide their own text and/or chat support services.

DCO Discourse... on social media

Episodes

  • Episode 332: The Loss That Lingers: Holding Space for Grief

    May 12th, 2025  |  Season 3  |  18 mins 30 secs
    the loss that lingers: holding space for grief

    In this solo episode, podcast host Christina Droumtsekas reflects on the kind of grief that lingers—the kind that reshapes who we are and how we move through the world. She opens up about the recent passing of her grandmother and the end of her marriage, sharing honest stories about how loss can show up in unexpected ways.

  •

    Episode 331: On “Stressed Out: How to Cope Before You Burn Out”

    May 5th, 2025  |  Season 3  |  48 mins 21 secs
    on “stressed out: how to cope before you burn out”

    May is Mental Health Awareness Month and in this episode of Stressed Out: How to Cope Before You Burn Out, host Christina Droumtsekas is joined by Registered Psychotherapist Tracey Sebastian for an honest conversation about one of the most common mental health struggles we all face—stress.

  • Episode 330: On Understanding Distress, Crisis, and How to Support Others

    April 28th, 2025  |  Season 3  |  35 mins 15 secs
    and how to support others, crisis, on understanding distress

    In this episode, Christina Droumtsekas is joined by Val Brosseau, and together they explore the difference between being in distress or in crisis, and knowing when to reach out for help. They will also discuss the role of a crisis responder and what you can expect when you call a support line.

  •

    Episode 329: On Identity with Vijay pt 4: Expanding the Narrative

    April 21st, 2025  |  Season 3  |  55 mins 54 secs
    title on identity with vijay pt 4: expanding the narrative

    In the final episode of this series, Vijay, a member of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, continues to share their experiences as a trans non-binary individual of color, as well as sharing the experiences of others in the queer community.

  •

    Episode 328: On exploring the heart of Distress and Crisis Ontario

    April 14th, 2025  |  Season 3  |  32 mins 28 secs
    on exploring the heart of distress and crisis ontario

    In this episode as the new host, Christina Droumtsekas is joined by Caitlin Plant, Program Manager at Distress and Crisis Ontario, to explore the organization at the core of this podcast. Together, we dive into DCO’s mission, its evolution, and the powerful ways it supports individuals and communities across the province.

  •

    Episode 327: On Mental Health In the Workplace

    April 7th, 2025  |  Season 3  |  23 mins 31 secs
    on mental health in the workplace

    In today’s episode Caitlin Plant, Program Manager at Distress and Crisis Ontario, is joined by Ryan to discuss mental health in the workplace. Specifically, Ryan share’s his experience of seeing how mental health is approached in the food service and construction industries. This episode does contain some rather heavy discussion of mental health, substance use, and suicidality.

  •

    Episode 326: On Exploring Identity with Vijay pt 3: Tackling the “Tough Questions”.

    March 31st, 2025  |  Season 3  |  38 mins 4 secs
    on exploring identity with vijay pt 3: tackling the “tough questions”.

    In this episode, Caitlin continues her conversation with Vijay, a Psychology & Neuroscience student and mental health professional, sharing their journey of self-discovery as a trans, nonbinary person of color. In part three Caitlin and Vijay delve a little deeper into some of the tougher questions surrounding identity, coming out, the suicide crisis in the trans community, and more.

  •

    Episode 325: On Creating Your Own Path: Pursuing an Artistic Career and Protecting Your Mental Health

    March 24th, 2025  |  Season 3  |  34 mins 28 secs
    creating your own path, protecting your mental health, pursuing an artistic career

    In this episode, Marissa Rasmussen speaks with Kyla Salliss, a professional makeup artist and young entrepreneur, about navigating the challenges of pursuing a non-conventional career in the arts while maintaining mental well-being

  •

    Episode 324: On Navigating Political Stress: Strategies for Mental Well-Being

    March 17th, 2025  |  Season 3  |  25 mins 52 secs
    on navigating political stress: strategies for mental well-being

    In this episode, Navigating Political Stress: Strategies for Mental Well-Being, Marissa Rasmussen, Communications and Marketing Manager, is joined by Amanda Giorgini, a thanatology graduate from King’s University, to discuss how to manage stress in today’s political climate.

  •

    Episode 323: On Exploring Identity with Vijay pt 2: Understanding the 2SLGBTQIA+ Experience & Allyship

    March 10th, 2025  |  Season 3  |  53 mins 46 secs
    on exploring identity with vijay pt 2, understanding the 2slgbtqia+ experience & allyship

    In this episode, we continue our conversation with Vijay, a Psychology & Neuroscience student and mental health professional.

  • Episode 322: On Starting Over: The Mental Health Impact of Immigration

    March 3rd, 2025  |  Season 3  |  1 hr 7 mins
    on starting over: the mental health impact of immigration

    In this episode, Prabhvir Gill, a student placement at Distress and Crisis Ontario, speaks with Neta Gear, Executive Director of the Delton Glebe Counselling Centre and Distress and Crisis Ontario.

  •

    Episode 321: On the Foundations of a Healthy Relationship with Christina Droumtsekas

    February 24th, 2025  |  Season 3  |  56 mins 59 secs
    christina droumtsekas, foundations of a healthy relationship

    In this episode, Marissa Rasmussen, Communications and Marketing Manager at Distress and Crisis Ontario, speaks with Christina Droumtsekas, a therapist with a background in both therapy and the arts, about building healthy and fulfilling romantic relationships.

  •

    Episode 320: On Building Healthy Workplace Relationships

    February 17th, 2025  |  Season 3  |  47 mins 4 secs
    building healthy workplace relationships

    In this episode, Marissa Rasmussen, Communications and Marketing Manager at Distress and Crisis Ontario, is joined by Program Manager Caitlin Plant to explore the importance of fostering positive workplace relationships. Using insights from Psychology Today, they discuss key elements like trust, communication, setting boundaries, and managing conflicts professionally.

  • Episode 319: On Exploring Identity with Vijay

    February 10th, 2025  |  Season 3  |  40 mins 23 secs
    on exploring identity with vijay

    In this episode, Caitlin Plant, Program Manager at Distress and Crisis Ontario, speaks with Vijay, a Psychology & Neuroscience student and mental health professional, about their journey as a trans, nonbinary individual of color.

  • Episode 318: On Divorce and Its Impact: Understanding, Coping, and Healing

    February 3rd, 2025  |  Season 3  |  46 mins 57 secs
    and healing, coping, on divorce and its impact: understanding

    In this episode, Marissa Rasmussen speaks with Samantha Cranston, a Bachelor of Fine Arts graduate, about the emotional and psychological impact of divorce on children and young adults. Samantha shares insights on navigating major life changes, setting boundaries in family relationships, and coping with feelings of guilt and self-blame.

  • Episode 317: On Understanding Children's Mental Health

    January 27th, 2025  |  Season 3  |  35 mins 5 secs
    on understanding children's mental health

    This week on the podcast, Prabhvir Gill, a Humber College student completing his placement with DCO, sits down with Zeryab Ayub, who is pursuing a bachelor's degree in environmental studies at York University. Together, they explore the crucial topic of children’s mental health.