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.

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Episodes

  • Episode 311: On Navigating The Holidays Part 2

    December 16th, 2024  |  Season 3  |  27 mins 55 secs
    on navigating the holidays part 2

    In Part 2 of this two-part conversation, Caitlin Plant, Program Manager at Distress and Crisis Ontario, continues her discussion with Sabrina Popernitsch, a Registered Psychotherapist, delving into complex challenges that often arise during the holiday season.

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    Episode 310: On Navigating The Holidays Part 1

    December 9th, 2024  |  Season 3  |  23 mins 23 secs
    navigating the holidays, part 1

    In Part 1 of this two-part conversation, Caitlin Plant, Program Manager at Distress and Crisis Ontario, speaks with Sabrina Popernitsch, a Registered Psychotherapist, about navigating the emotional challenges of the holiday season. Together, they explore ways to manage expectations, avoid the stress of perfectionism, and support loved ones without overstepping boundaries.

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    Episode 309: On Empowering Allies and Supporting Survivors: A Conversation with Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region’s Anna Najcler

    December 2nd, 2024  |  Season 3  |  40 mins 3 secs
    allies, anna najcler, sexual assault support centre of waterloo region, supporting survivors

    In this episode, Caitlin Plant, Program Manager at Distress and Crisis Ontario, speaks with Anna Najcler, Volunteer Coordinator at the Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region (SASC). Anna shares her journey to her current role, highlighting the essential qualities she looks for in volunteers, how SASC provides comprehensive training and support, and the unique needs of survivors from diverse backgrounds.

  • Episode 308: On Caring Through the Years: Exploring Geriatric Health and Mental Wellness

    November 25th, 2024  |  Season 3  |  27 mins 26 secs
    oncaring through the years: exploring geriatric health and mental wellness

    In this episode, Marissa Rasmussen speaks with Julie Earle, NP-PHC MScN, the Most Responsible Provider Nurse Practitioner on the Geriatric Dementia Unit at Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences. Julie shares insights from her career,

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    Episode 307: On Journeys in mental health from experience to education - Part 2

    November 18th, 2024  |  Season 3  |  21 mins 13 secs
    mental health from experience to education, part 2, valéry brosseau

    In Part 2 of this episode, Marissa Rasmussen continues her conversation with Valéry Brosseau, mental health advocate and founder of Validate Mental Health Consultants. Valéry shares insights from her TEDx talk on destigmatizing suicide, essential tools for supporting mental health, and how her extensive training has shaped her approach to advocacy. They also discuss the challenges of self-care in demanding work and practical advice for those looking to implement mental health support in organizations or step into advocacy themselves.

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    Episode 306: On Journeys in mental health from experience to education - Part 1

    November 11th, 2024  |  Season 3  |  24 mins 34 secs
    mental health from experience to education, part 1, valéry brosseau

    In Part 1 of this episode, Marissa Rasmussen, Communications and Marketing Manager at Distress and Crisis Ontario, sits down with Valéry Brosseau, mental health advocate and founder of Validate Mental Health Consultants. Valéry shares her journey from volunteering at Distress Centre Durham to founding her own consulting firm, where she now leads workshops and training on mental health awareness and suicide prevention.

  • Episode 305: On Life in your 20s

    November 4th, 2024  |  Season 3  |  46 mins 10 secs
    on life in your 20s

    In this episode, Marissa Rasmussen, Communications and Marketing Manager at Distress and Crisis Ontario, sits down with Caitlin Jasulaitis, who holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Windsor, for a conversation about the unique and universal challenges of life in your twenties. While Marissa and Caitlin both bring the fresh perspective of young adults, they also recognize that many of these struggles—financial stress, career uncertainty, maintaining friendships, and setting boundaries—are ones people face at all stages of life.

  • Episode 304: On Halloween safety and inclusion

    October 28th, 2024  |  Season 3  |  46 mins 45 secs
    halloween safety and inclusion

    In this episode, Marissa Rasmussen, Communications and Marketing Manager at Distress and Crisis Ontario, chats with Program Manager Caitlin Plant about Halloween safety and inclusion

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    Episode 303: On building resilience and well-being

    October 21st, 2024  |  Season 3  |  37 mins 37 secs
    on building resilience and well-being

    In this episode, Marissa Rasmussen, Communications and Marketing Manager at Distress and Crisis Ontario, sits down with Dr. Diana Brecher, a clinical psychologist and adjunct faculty in the Counselling Psychology Department at Toronto Metropolitan University. With her extensive background in positive psychology, resilience, and mental health support, Dr. Brecher shares insights into how these concepts can enhance well-being.

  • Episode 302: On Crow Shield Lodge

    October 14th, 2024  |  Season 3  |  49 mins 11 secs
    on crow shield lodge

    In this episode, our Communications and Marketing Manager, Marissa Rasmussen, sits down with Clarence Cachagee, founder of Crow Shield Lodge. Clarence shares his journey and the vision behind this unique space dedicated to reconciliation and healing. He highlights how Indigenous land-based teachings foster connection and belonging within the community. Together, they explore the significance of these teachings in promoting unity and understanding among diverse groups.

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    Episode 301: On fostering leadership among younger generations

    October 7th, 2024  |  Season 3  |  34 mins 21 secs
    fostering leadership among younger generations

    In this episode, Marissa Rasmussen sits down with Anne Anderson, a community pastor and leader of the Thirdspace Community, to explore the evolving role of faith communities in addressing modern challenges. Anne shares her journey and insights on how emerging faith communities are fostering leadership, particularly among younger generations. They discuss the intersection of faith, mental health, and social issues like food insecurity, and how faith communities can offer true hospitality and inclusion. Anne also delves into her work with alternative forms of worship and the importance of interfaith dialogue in creating supportive, spiritually rich spaces.

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    Episode 300: Archived Episode: On Truth, Reconciliation, and the Burden of Illness with Charity F

    September 30th, 2024  |  Season 3  |  42 mins 4 secs
    and the burden of illness with charity f, on truth, reconciliation

    In honor of National Truth and Reconciliation Day we are revisiting our conversation On Truth, Reconciliation, and the Burden of Illness with Charity F

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    Episode 299: On Back to School and Screen Time

    September 23rd, 2024  |  Season 3  |  37 mins 59 secs
    back 2 school

    In this episode, Marissa Rasmussen and Alexandra Gordon discuss how parents can manage screen time for their children. With the return of school and the shift from potentially more screen time to less, this episode offers practical advice on creating healthier screen habits. We also dive into the dangers and benefits of the internet, how to set boundaries with children, and navigating their internet use as they get older.
    To connect with support related to this episode, or for anything else going on in your life, please visit www.dcontario.org/locations to find your nearest Member centre. Many of our Member centres operate 24/7. Thank you for listening, and we hope you’ll join us again next week. If you would like to provide feedback on this episode, past episodes, or request future content, you can do so using the following link: https://forms.gle/o8yUPMss6wo8dP1X8.

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    Episode 298: On Rehabilitation after an injury and Mental Health

    September 16th, 2024  |  Season 3  |  30 mins 36 secs
    mental health, rehab and mental health. rehab

    In this episode, Marissa Rasmussen, Communications and Marketing Manager at Distress and Crisis Ontario, talks with Caitlin Plant, Program Manager, about the realities of rehabilitation and its profound effects on mental health, just in time for National Rehabilitation Awareness Week. As Caitlin and Marissa share their personal experiences, they explore the challenges that come with physical recovery and how it intertwines with emotional well-being.
    To connect with support related to this episode, or for anything else going on in your life, please visit www.dcontario.org/locations to find your nearest Member centre. Many of our Member centres operate 24/7. Thank you for listening and we hope you’ll join us again next week. If you would like to provide feedback on this episode, past episodes, or request future content, you can do so using the following link: https://forms.gle/o8yUPMss6wo8dP1X8

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    Episode 297: On Silent Strokes, Impact /Awareness

    September 9th, 2024  |  Season 3  |  56 mins 55 secs
    silent strokes

    In this episode, Marissa Rasmussen, Communications and Marketing Manager at Distress and Crisis Ontario, talks with Cheryl Vanderveen, an expert in dementia care and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, about the critical topic of Silent Strokes and their impact. Cheryl shares why raising awareness about Silent Strokes is essential and discusses how these often-overlooked strokes can lead to serious consequences, including post-stroke suicide. Tune in to learn more about recognizing the signs, supporting individuals at risk, and advocating for Silent Stroke awareness.

  • Episode 296: Archived Episode: On Supporting Youth with Eating Disorders

    September 2nd, 2024  |  Season 3  |  24 mins 45 secs
    archived episode, on supporting youth with eating disorders

    In this episode from August of last year, Caitlin Plant, Program Manager at Distress and Crisis Ontario, discusses how to support youth with eating disorders. With the return of school and potentially more high-stress environments for youth, a reminder of how to support them is fitting. This episode covers basic information on what eating disorders are, signs and symptoms to look out for, how to talk to youth and healthcare professionals, and more.