DCO Discourse...

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. We all feel lonely sometimes, especially around the holidays, so let’s talk about it. If you are in need of support, or would just like the opportunity to connect with someone, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your closes...

This episode is from the archives. Orginally uploaded October 2021. This week we are revisiting a 2021 interview with Caitlin Plant, Program Manager at Distress and Crisis Ontario, and Brad Wilton. Brad is a registered psychotherapist who focuses on growth through relationship and joined Caitlin to discuss relationship stress, boundaries, and the holidays. He provides some excellent advice on how...

This week on the podcast Caitlin Plant, Program Manager at Distress and Crisis Ontario, talks all about how to prepare for the holiday season, focusing on three main topics. First, how to put a budget in place that may take some of the stress out of the holidays; second, how to prepare to face family members you’d rather not spend time with; and third, how to practice self-care throughout the holi...

This week on the podcast Caitlin Plant, Program Manager at Distress and Crisis Ontario, shares information on 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 for leaving an abusive situation if you are in one. To connect with support related to this episode, or for anything else going on in your life, please v...

This week on the podcast we are talking about what to do when we are feeling ill. Caitlin Plant, Program Manager at Distress and Crisis Ontario, explores when and how to call into work if you aren’t feeling well, how to practice self-care that will hopefully allow us to recover more quickly, and, similarly, how to care for others who are ill. To connect with support related to this episode, or for...

This week on the podcast we are honouring Transgender Awareness Week and Transgender Day of Remembrance. Caitlin Plant, Program Manager at Distress and Crisis Ontario shares information that highlights the need for this week to be commemorated, as well as sharing some resources for those who may need them. To connect with support related to this episode, or for anything else going on in your life,...

This week Caitlin Plant, Program Manager at Distress and Crisis Ontario, is talking about domestic violence and violence against women. This episode explores how to recognize domestic violence, provides some statistics related to both domestic violence and violence against women, and shares an excellent online resource for those looking for support. To connect with support related to this episode,...

This week Caitlin Plant, Program Manager at Distress and Crisis Ontario, is exploring information on what Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is, some myths that exist around the disorder, and some potential treatment options for managing SAD. 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/o8y...

This week Caitlin Plant, Program Manager at Distress and Crisis Ontario, has a conversation with Benni Zaiser about contacting emergency services. Benni is the newest member of DCO’s Board of Directors and is a police officer in York Region. He has provided evidence-based de-escalation, communication, counter-bias, and anti-stigma training to police officers from across Germany and he has 30 plus...

This week Caitlin Plant, Program Manager at Distress and Crisis Ontario, re-explores some signs that might suggest you need to seek out help, shares some strategies you can use to ask for it, talks about why it’s important to reach out, and finishes by sharing some tips for how you can check in with someone who you think may need help or who has reached out to you. If you would like to provide fee...

This week Caitlin Plant, Program Manager at Distress and Crisis Ontario, is joined by Don, Registered Psychotherapist and Addiction Worker, 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”. If you would like to pro...

Throughout the month of September we conducted a series of interviews with Indigenous services providers and community members. Throughout the series we asked each of our guests what resources, media, and/or community initiatives they could suggest for those who wanted to learn more. This week’s episode provides a master list of each of the resources shared. For a print-version of this list that i...

This week we conclude our series on Truth and Reconciliation, the challenges Indigenous communities continue to face, and how we can all be better allies for reconciliation. Today, Caitlin Plant, Program Manager at Distress and Crisis Ontario, is joined by Charity Fleming, co-owner of Qualia Counselling, to learn about the impact of culturally adapted care, understanding of intergenerational traum...

This week we continue our series learning (and unlearning) about Truth and Reconciliation, the importance of building meaningful relationships, and how we can all be better allies in supporting social justice initiatives and building strong communities. Today, Caitlin Plant, Program Manager at Distress and Crisis Ontario, is joined by Melissa Ireland from Qualia Counselling to hear her perspective...

This week we continue our series on learning about Truth and Reconciliation, the reality of being First Nations, Inuit, and/or Métis in Canada, and how we can all be better allies in building strong communities. Today, Caitlin Plant, Program Manager at Distress and Crisis Ontario, is joined by Sheila Levy from the Nunavut Kamatsiaqtut Help Line to learn about their organization's history, the stru...

This week we begin our series on learning about Truth and Reconciliation, the reality of being First Nations, Inuit, and/or Métis in Canada, and how we can all be better allies in building strong communities. Today, Caitlin Plant, Program Manager at Distress and Crisis Ontario, is joined by Katie Bortolin from Talk 4 Healing to learn from her about the work they are doing and how what she suggests...

This week, Caitlin Plant, Program Manager at Distress and Crisis Ontario (DCO), shares some information on World Suicide Prevention Day, happening on September 10th. This includes exploring the history of the day, why it is important, and what we can all do to meet this year’s theme: creating hope through action. This week’s episode also includes information on what DCO has been doing to uphold th...

This week, Caitlin Plant, Program Manager at Distress and Crisis Ontario, and her friend, Sabrina, have a conversation about Sabrina’s own mental health journey, supporting others, and navigating suicidal ideation. If you would like to provide feedback or request future content, you can do so using the following link: https://forms.gle/o8yUPMss6wo8dP1X8 . To connect with support related to this ep...

This week, Caitlin Plant, Program Manager at Distress and Crisis Ontario, and her daughter, a 7th grader, have a short conversation about suicide prevention, share some resources related to suicide and suicide loss, and talk about a new project being shared by DCO for World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10th. If you would like to provide feedback or request future content, you can do so usin...

This week, Caitlin Plant, Program Manager at Distress and Crisis Ontario, has been feeling under the weather, so we are re-sharing an old interview. Val Brosseau is a distress line volunteer responder, mental health advocate, and now Board Member of DCO, and in April of 2021 she shared the story of her own mental health journey and struggles with suicidal ideation. She talks about past attempts, h...

This week, Caitlin Plant, Program Manager at Distress and Crisis Ontario, shares information on navigating privilege. Having privilege means that you possess an unearned advantage in society through some aspect of your identity, in comparison to folks who lack that attribute. While it can be uncomfortable to recognize that you have unearned advantages over others through no fault of theirs, workin...

This week, Caitlin Plant, Program Manager at Distress and Crisis Ontario, shares information on sextortion. Sextortion is a form of organized digital crime that has been on the rise throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Blackmailers pose as attractive individuals, convince victims to send sensitive images or videos, and then threaten to share the content with others in the victim’s life. This podcast...

This week, Caitlin sits down with her daughter, now a 7th grader, to gain her perspective once again on some current events. Together, they discuss gender roles, bodily autonomy, and the recent decision by the United States Supreme Court to overturn Roe v Wade, making the criminalization of abortion a reality in some states. If you would like to provide feedback or request future content, you can...

This week, we are talking about what is on the minds of many: the United States of America's Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, leading to the criminalization of abortion in some states. We hope to provide some insight into why this is something we need to be talking about given the implications, how we can do our best to help, and how to manage stress related to the decision. As al...

This week, we are re-sharing two interviews related to the ONTX program as a refresher of what it is, who can use it, and how to access it, as well as providing some insight into who the responders are and why they choose to support others. ONTX operates from 2:00 PM – 2:00 AM EST, daily, and can be reached by visiting our website at www.dcontario.org or by texting SUPPORT to 258258