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 20: Addictions – What you Need to Know

    May 3rd, 2019  |  Season 1  |  33 mins 30 secs
    addictions, what you need to know

    People use alcohol and other drugs for many reasons. Some use these substances to help them to relax, to feel livelier, to feel less inhibited or to feel pleasure. Some find the effects of substances make it seem easier to cope with problems. Some use sub

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    Episode 19: A Professional Approach to Report Writing for Clients

    April 26th, 2019  |  Season 1  |  20 mins
    a professional approach to report writing for clients

    In the presentation by Lynn Brewin, Learning and Development Coordinator for Distress Centres Ontario, you will learn strategies to keep in mind when writing a call report. She will review the difference between subjective and objective writing and how to write without making judgemental statements. Quality report writing reflects your level of professionalism; it is testament of how well you perform as a call responder.

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    Episode 18: Dementia

    April 19th, 2019  |  Season 1  |  25 mins 38 secs
    dementia

    Dementia is a term used to describe a group of symptoms that are caused by changes in brain function and that are serious enough to interfere with daily life. Dementia can involve a wide variety of cognitive functions such as memory, language, thinking, judgment, recognition, motor planning, and be associated with mood and behavioural changes.

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    Episode 17: Elder Abuse

    April 12th, 2019  |  Season 1  |  19 mins 43 secs
    elder abuse

    As Canada’s population ages, the number of citizens over 65 years of age will outnumber the number of citizens under the age of 15 by the year 2015. Statistics Canada indicates that in 2005, persons aged 65+ made up 13% of the population and the predictions for 2031, suggest this age group will represent 23 to 25% of the population. This means that an increasing number of people will be challenged by becoming the caregiver for both their parents and their own family.

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    Episode 16: A Family’s Response to Suicide – The Knapp Family PART 2

    April 5th, 2019  |  Season 1  |  18 mins 45 secs
    a family’s response to suicide – the knapp family part 2

    In these videos, you will be introduced to three members of the Knapp family. Their loved one, 20 year old Nick ended his life by suicide. In the first vignette Penny Knapp, the young man’s mother, courageously speaks about the initial reactions of hearin

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    Episode 15: A Family’s Response to Suicide – Knapp Family Sisters PART 1

    April 5th, 2019  |  Season 1  |  26 mins 16 secs
    a family’s response to suicide – knapp family sisters part 1

    Marsha and Melanie Knapp are very forthcoming with their emotions about bother Nick`s suicide and how they have tried to move forward to honour his life and advocate for seamless services for other suicide survivors.

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    Episode 14: Living with Mood Disorders and Suicidal Ideation

    March 30th, 2019  |  Season 1  |  33 mins 16 secs
    living with mood disorders and suicidal ideation

    Mood disorders which include major depression, bipolar disorder and dysthymia can affect individuals of all ages. The Canadian Public Health Agency reports approximately 8% of adults will experience major depression at some time in their lives and approximately 1% will experience bipolar disorder.

  • Episode 13: Understanding Abuse in Intimate Relationships - Part 2: The Process of Leaving

    March 22nd, 2019  |  Season 1  |  29 mins 59 secs
    part 2, the process of leaving, understanding abuse in intimate relationships

    Individuals working with women who are in abusive relationships will sometimes ask themselves why she does not leave. By asking the question in this manner, we are essentially blaming the woman which can negatively impact the support we intend to provide,

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    Episode 12: Understanding Abuse in Intimate Relationships - Part 1

    March 16th, 2019  |  Season 1  |  19 mins 40 secs
    part 1, understanding abuse in intimate relationships

    Domestic violence is not a private matter even though the vast majority of it happens behind closed doors or in the intimate personal language of couples. It is a devastating reality for many Canadian families that cuts across all social, economic, religi

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    Episode 11: Responding to Callers with Financial Concerns

    March 9th, 2019  |  Season 1  |  26 mins 41 secs
    responding to callers with financial concerns

    In the presentation by Lori O’Neill, viewers will learn the issues many families face and how to best respond to their issues. She provides tips for de-escalating troubling emotional responses to difficult situations and offers suggestions for promoting e

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    Episode 10: Episode 10: Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder

    March 2nd, 2019  |  Season 1  |  35 mins 8 secs
    fetal alcohol spectrum disorder

    FASD refers to a range of effects that can occur as a result of being exposed to alcohol while in the womb. A number of factors including how much and at what point in the pregnancy the woman drank alcohol influence the level of impairments the person liv

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    Episode 9: Episode 9: Self Injurious Behaviour

    February 28th, 2019  |  Season 1  |  24 mins 31 secs
    self injurious behaviour

    Individuals living with a history of trauma and emotional pain cope day to day with the use of a variety of strategies. Some will use coping mechanisms that are considered harmless, while others will engage in less safe strategies. Self injurious behaviour is a response that many would find difficult to understand. It is best viewed as a maladaptive response to overwhelming and intolerable emotions.

  • Episode 8: Episode 8: Understanding Loss

    February 24th, 2019  |  Season 1  |  37 mins 33 secs
    understanding loss

    When someone loses a loved one, goes through a divorce, or loses their job, there can be numerous ways in which the individual feels and experiences the loss. Grief is a normal response to any loss and can affect anyone in unexpected ways. It is an emotion that everyone will experience at some time in their life. Since grieving is an individual experience, everyone will go through the process dependent upon varying factors and coping mechanisms. Understanding the grief process and becoming cognisant of what to expect, may assist distress line volunteers to identify effective strategies to support callers who are working through their journey of bereavement.

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    Episode 7: Episode 7: Mental Health Diagnosis and the Impact on Suicide

    February 7th, 2019  |  Season 1  |  31 mins 3 secs
    mental health diagnosis and the impact on suicide

    People who are diagnosed with major depression, personality disorders and/or who are abusing substances are at a greater risk of suicide attempts or completion. Canadian studies indicate that more than 90% of suicide victims have a diagnosable psychiatric disorder (CMHA Fact Sheet). Although depression is more recognized as being a risk factor, individuals diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder have been noted to complete suicide at a rate of 10%. These mental health diagnoses, in combination with substance abuse increase the risk of death by suicide

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    Episode 6: Episode 6: Trauma & Sudden Violent Loss

    January 28th, 2019  |  Season 1  |  31 mins 11 secs
    trauma & sudden violent loss

    Taking one’s life represents insurmountable personal pain however, in the aftermath, it is the survivors who must come to grips with this traumatic and sudden loss. Often, suicide is committed in a violent manner, with or without clues or messages left behind for loved ones. They are left with unanswered questions and significant grief.

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    Episode 5: Episode 5: Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity

    January 24th, 2019  |  Season 1  |  34 mins 44 secs
    sexual orientation and gender identity

    Richard Messier has worked in the field of addictions treatment and education for the past 20 years. His academic focus has been in addictions and social work studies at both St Francis Xavier University and McMaster University.