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 208: On Post-Holiday Letdown and Facing the “Winter Blues”

    January 16th, 2023  |  Season 2  |  9 mins 18 secs
    on post-holiday letdown and facing the “winter blues”

    As the holidays have come to an end and schedules return to normal, it's common to feel a sense of disappointment and sadness. Returning to normal can be challenging so this week Caitlin Plant, Program Manager at Distress and Crisis Ontario, explores how to get through that post-holiday let down and facing the “winter blues”

  • Episode 207: On the 7 Pillars of Self-Care

    January 9th, 2023  |  Season 2  |  35 mins 50 secs
    on the 7 pillars of self-care

    This week, Caitlin Plant, Program Manager at Distress and Crisis Ontario, shares information on the 7 pillars of self-care as developed by the International Self-Care Foundation. The pillars include health knowledge and literacy, mental well-being, physical activity, healthy eating, risk avoidance, good hygiene, and rational use of products and services.

  • Episode 206: On Rethinking New Year’s Resolutions

    January 2nd, 2023  |  Season 2  |  10 mins 25 secs
    on rethinking new year’s resolutions

    This week, Caitlin Plant, Program Manager at Distress and Crisis Ontario, follows up on last week’s episode by sharing additional information on setting resolutions for the New Year, why you might not be ready to meet your resolutions, and how to be gentle with yourself if you do decide to set goals.

  • Episode 205: On New Year Resolutions with a 7th Grader

    December 26th, 2022  |  Season 2  |  13 mins 40 secs
    on new years resolutions with a 7th grader, s.m.a.r.t. goals

    This week, Caitlin Plant, Program Manager at Distress and Crisis Ontario, and her 7th grade daughter reflect on the past year and discuss the benefits and challenges of New Years resolutions, as well as how to set realistic S.M.A.R.T. goals.

  • Episode 204: On Managing Loneliness

    December 19th, 2022  |  Season 2  |  12 mins 34 secs
    on managing loneliness

    We all feel lonely sometimes, especially around the holidays, so let’s talk about it. This week, Caitlin Plant, Program Manager at Distress and Crisis Ontario, explores some reasons why we might be feeling lonely and provides some tips for managing loneliness.

  • Episode 203: On Relationship Stress and Boundaries

    December 12th, 2022  |  Season 2  |  19 mins 46 secs
    relationship stress and boundaries

    This week we are revisiting a 2021 interview with Caitlin Plant, Program Manager at Distress and Crisis Ontario, and Brad Wilton. Together they discuss relationship stress, boundaries, and the holidays. Brad provides some excellent advice on how to navigate those tricky conversations that sometimes occur when the whole family gets together and how to set and maintain boundaries.

  • Episode 202: On Preparing for the Holidays

    December 5th, 2022  |  Season 2  |  15 mins 17 secs
    on preparing for the holidays

    This week on the podcast we’re talking all about preparing for the holiday season. How to make a budget, managing challenging family relationships, and how to practice self-care that will make everything a little bit easier.

  • Episode 201: On Leaving Domestic Abuse

    November 28th, 2022  |  Season 2  |  16 mins 20 secs
    leaving domestic abuse

    This week on the podcast we explore how to support someone who may be in an abusive relationship, whether they are ready to leave it or not, and how to create a safety plan if you are in an abusive situation yourself.

  • Episode 200: On Navigating Cold and Flu Season

    November 21st, 2022  |  Season 2  |  11 mins 23 secs
    navigating cold and flu season

    This week on the podcast we are talking about what we can do when we are feeling ill. When and how to call into work, how we can practice self-care that will hopefully allow us to recover more quickly, and how to care for others who are ill.

  • Episode 199: On Transgender Awareness Week

    November 14th, 2022  |  Season 2  |  10 mins 58 secs
    transgender awareness week

    This week on the podcast we are honouring Transgender Awareness Week and Transgender Day of Remembrance. Caitlin shares information that highlights the need for this week to be commemorated, as well as sharing some resources for those who may need them.

  • Episode 198: On Domestic Abuse and Gender-based Violence

    November 7th, 2022  |  Season 2  |  11 mins 6 secs
    domestic and gender-based violence

    This week Caitlin is sharing information on domestic violence and violence against women as November is an awareness month for both. She talks about how to recognize domestic violence, explores some statistics related to both domestic violence and violence against women, and shares an excellent online resource for those looking for support.

  • Episode 197: On Seasonal Affective Disorder

    October 31st, 2022  |  Season 2  |  11 mins 41 secs
    seasonal affective disorder

    This week Caitlin is sharing information on Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), some myths that exist around the disorder, and some potential treatment options for managing SAD.

  • Episode 196: On Accessing Emergency Services

    October 24th, 2022  |  Season 2  |  35 mins 20 secs
    accessing emergency services

    This week Caitlin sits down with Benni, a Director on DCO’s governing board and a police officer in York Region, to talk about when and how to access emergency services in relation to a mental health and/or substance misuse crisis.

  • Episode 195: On Asking For Help

    October 17th, 2022  |  Season 2  |  12 mins 46 secs
    asking for help

    This week Caitlin re-explores the importance of asking for help, how to seek out help, and how to talk with someone who has come to you for support.

  • Episode 194: On Stigma, Discrimination, and World Mental Health Day with Don

    October 10th, 2022  |  Season 2  |  13 mins 36 secs
    discrimination, don, stigma, world mental health day

    This week Caitlin is joined by Don to talk about stigma and discrimination related to mental health and substance misuse, as well as discussing the theme for World Mental Health Day this year, which is to “ make mental health & well-being for all a global priority”

  • Episode 193: On Our Indigenous Series Resources List

    October 3rd, 2022  |  Season 2  |  19 mins 31 secs
    indigenous series resources list

    This week’s episode shares a list of each of the resources suggested by our guests throughout the month of September. A full print-version of the list is also available on our website now.