DCO Discourse...

Episode 339: On The Coming Out Experience: 3 Questions about Identity.

June 30th, 2025  |  Season 3  |  44 mins 47 secs

on the coming out experience: 3 questions about identity.

In this powerful episode of DCO Discourse, Co-hosts Vijay Moonilal and Caitlin Plant, talk about the experience of coming out to wrap a bow around the end of Pride month.

Episode 338: On Brain Injury Awareness Week with Regan Roberts

June 23rd, 2025  |  Season 3  |  35 mins 18 secs

on brain injury awareness week with regan roberts

In this powerful episode of DCO Discourse, host Christina Droumtsekas, and guest advocate Regan Roberts shed light on the lived experience of traumatic brain injury (TBI) during Brain Injury Awareness Week. Roberts, a student intern, writer, and survivor of a life-altering car accident in 2021, shares her deeply personal journey—from a seven-day coma and relearning basic functions to a delayed diagnosis nearly two years later.

Episode 337: On Men’s Mental Health & Why It Matters pt 2

June 16th, 2025  |  Season 3  |  39 mins 13 secs

on men’s mental health & why it matters pt 2

In this second of the 2 part series, episode of DCO Discourse for Men's Mental Health Awareness Month, host Christina Droumtsekas sits down with registered psychotherapist Carlton Brown to explore the
unique challenges men face regarding mental health.

Episode 336: On Men’s Mental Health & Why It Matters pt 1

June 9th, 2025  |  Season 3  |  40 mins 21 secs

on men’s mental health & why it matters pt 1

Episode 335: On Healing Beyond Words: Understanding Art Therapy’s Impact

June 2nd, 2025  |  Season 3  |  41 mins 53 secs

on healing beyond words: understanding art therapy’s impact

In this episode of DCO Discourse, host Christina Droumtsekas sits down with Melanie Brakel, a professional art therapist and registered psychotherapist, to explore the
world of art therapy—a practice that uses creative expression to support mental and emotional healing.

Episode 334: On Healthy Boundaries, Healthy Minds: Teen Consent & Mental Health Wellness

May 26th, 2025  |  Season 3  |  46 mins 7 secs

healthy minds: teen consent & mental health wellness, on healthy boundaries

As we continue with Mental Health Awareness Month, this episode of Healthy Boundaries, Healthy Minds: Teen consent and mental health, Sex Educator Sandra Allen joins host Christina Droumtsekas to dive into what consent looks like, and mental health. We will unpack what it means to support teens through one of their most formative – and often confusing times. Together, we explore how to talk about consent in language that resonates with teens,
navigate the complexities of identity and shame, and understand the impact of digital culture on sexuality.

Episode 333: On Self-Worth in the Age of Social Media: Self-Esteem and the Selfie

May 19th, 2025  |  Season 3  |  17 mins 54 secs

on self-worth in the age of social media: self-esteem and the selfie

In this solo episode, Christina Droumtsekas reflects on how digital culture—and the constant stream of filtered images—shapes our self-esteem. Drawing from her personal experiences and art therapy research, she explores how selfies and self-portraiture can serve as tools for reflection, healing, and reclaiming one’s identity.

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.