DCO Discourse...

Self-compassion, as defined by Kristin Neff, is the practice of extending compassion to oneself in instances of perceived inadequacy, failure, or general suffering. This week, we’re sharing an archived episode in which a past student health promotion intern, Harisaa Selvanayagam, speaks with her professor, Dr Jim Perretta, about the importance of self-compassion and how to begin practicing it in o...

This week, Caitlin Plant, Program Manager at Distress and Crisis Ontario, explores the topic of sleep. Specifically, how sleep and our mental health interact with one another and how to improve our sleep hygiene. If you need support for any reason, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your nearest distress centre or ONTX. You can find your closest Member centre at www.dcontario.org/locations and...

This week, Caitlin Plant, Program Manager at Distress and Crisis Ontario, explores why sunshine can be beneficial to our health, as well as outlining some safety tips for adults, youth, and young children, and what to do in the case of sunburn and heat stroke. If you need support for any reason, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your nearest distress centre or ONTX. You can find your closest M...

This week, Caitlin Plant, Program Manager at Distress and Crisis Ontario, discusses information overload, shares how to determine if you should cut back screen time, and provides tips around limiting device use. If you or your family members are struggling with setting boundaries around devices, the strategies laid out in this episode could help. If you need support for any reason, please don’t he...

This week, Caitlin Plant, Program Manager at Distress and Crisis Ontario, shares some information from the Harvard Business Review and Forbes on the intersectionality of ageism and gender bias that women face in the workplace. Included in the episode are some strategies for combatting gendered ageism. If you need support for any reason, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your nearest distress c...

This week, Caitlin Plant, Program Manager at Distress and Crisis Ontario, has a conversation with Lex Heffernan from the Brain Injury Association of Waterloo-Wellington for Brain Injury Awareness Month. They explore why talking about brain injury is important, who can be impacted by brain injury and how to support them, and more. The resources mentioned in today’s podcast are as follows: The Brain...

This week, Caitlin Plant, Program Manager at Distress and Crisis Ontario, sits down with Charity Fleming from Qualia Counselling Services to learn about National Indigenous History Month, National Indigenous Peoples Day, and how non-Indigenous settlers and allies can respectfully acknowledge, celebrate, and support these important times of awareness. In our conversation, Charity mentions the film...

This week, Caitlin Plant, Program Manager at Distress and Crisis Ontario, has a conversation with Valéry Brosseau about Pride Month. They talk about why celebrating Pride is important, how allies can support their 2SLGBTQIA+ loved ones, how to navigate feelings of inadequacy or fear that may surround Pride, and more. If you need support for any reason, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your ne...

This week, Caitlin Plant, Program Manager at Distress and Crisis Ontario, explores why awareness days are important as well as sharing specific information on Pride Month, National Indigenous History Month, and Brain Injury Awareness Month, which are all celebrated in June. Over the next three weeks DCO Discourse… will be focusing on each of those awareness themes. The resources mentioned in this...

This week, Caitlin Plant, Program Manager at Distress and Crisis Ontario, shares further information on youth mental health, specifically related to social media use and a recent advisory released by the United States surgeon general. Included in this episode are some concerns, how the youth feel, and advice for parents on navigating social media use for their teens. The sources used in this episo...

This week, Caitlin Plant, Program Manager at Distress and Crisis Ontario, follows up last week’s episode on what you can expect when someone you know is dying with information on the grief and loss that follow a death, and how you can care for yourself in the aftermath. If you need support for any reason, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your nearest distress centre or ONTX. You can find your...

This week, Caitlin Plant, Program Manager at Distress and Crisis Ontario, shares some information on what you can expect when someone you know is dying. She also shares resources related to grief and loss. The resources mentioned in the episode can be reached at the following links: Bereaved Families of Ontario https://bereavedfamilies.net/ For over 40 years Bereaved Families of Ontario has been s...

This week, Caitlin Plant, Program Manager at Distress and Crisis Ontario, and her mom, Elma, talk about motherhood, how it changes as your children grow, how to maintain a sense of “self” – or at least try to, and more. If you need support for any reason, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your nearest distress centre or ONTX. You can find your closest Member centre at www.dcontario.org/locatio...

This week, Caitlin Plant, Program Manager at Distress and Crisis Ontario, shares information and resources related to child and youth mental health to honour Children’s Mental Health Week, marked May 1st – 7th. If you need support for any reason, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your nearest distress centre or ONTX. You can find your closest Member centre at www.dcontario.org/locations and ca...

This week, Caitlin Plant, Program Manager at Distress and Crisis Ontario, has a conversation with Sabrina, a qualifying registered psychotherapist who has a Masters in Counselling Psychology. Together they talk about springtime, checking in with ourselves, and setting mindful intentions. If you need support for any reason, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your nearest distress centre or ONTX....

This week, Caitlin Plant, Program Manager at Distress and Crisis Ontario, and her 7th grade daughter are talking about self-compassion. They explore Dr. Kristin Neff’s definition of what self-compassion is, walk through her three key elements of self-compassion, and have an honest conversation about how difficult self-compassion can be. To learn more about Dr. Neff’s work, visit https://self-compa...

This week, we are sharing an archived episode where Caitlin Plant, Program Manager at Distress and Crisis Ontario, interviewed Lauren on the topic of slow, sustainable living and how choosing to live a sustainable, mindful lifestyle can lead to wellness in more areas than one. Small changes can make a huge difference to one’s wellbeing and spring is a great time for new beginnings. If you need sup...

This week Caitlin Plant, Program Manager at Distress and Crisis Ontario, shares some information about burnout syndrome. She explores some of the history of burnout, potential symptoms, and strategies to prevent or manage burnout. The full article used in today’s podcast can be found here: https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/more-than-a-feeling/202303/how-burnout-is-changing-our-lives . If you...

This week Caitlin Plant, Program Manager at Distress and Crisis Ontario, continues to learn about building equitable friendships and relationships from Neta and Elma. Neta and Elma have built a strong friendship over the past 4 years regardless of differences in culture, upbringing, and lived experience. If you need support for any reason, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your nearest distres...

This week Caitlin Plant, Program Manager at Distress and Crisis Ontario, interviews one of her best friends to talk about how their friendship has changed over the years, how they have been intentional in building an equitable friendship, how adulthood has impacted their friendships, and more. If you need support for any reason, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your nearest distress centre or...

This week Caitlin Plant, Program Manager at Distress and Crisis Ontario, sits down with her daughter to talk about her friendships and her ability to create strong bonds with her peers is impacted in today’s digital world, throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, and in a school system where peers shift with each grade. If you need support for any reason, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your neares...

This week Caitlin Plant, Program Manager at Distress and Crisis Ontario, shares information on International Women’s Day. She shares why it is still important that International Women’s Day exists, explore how we can celebrate it, and discusses the 2023 theme of “Embracing Equity”. To learn more visit www.internationalwomensday.com . If you need support for any reason, please don’t hesitate to rea...

This week Caitlin Plant, Program Manager at Distress and Crisis Ontario, spends some time talking with her parents about how they’ve navigated 36 years of marriage. They share relationship advice, insights, and lessons learned along the way. If you need support for any reason, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your nearest distress centre or ONTX. You can find your closest Member centre at www...

This week Caitlin Plant, Program Manager at Distress and Crisis Ontario, shares information and resources to help you prepare for completing your personal income taxes in Canada, as well as providing resources on where to find more detailed information on other forms of returns. Below are any links mentioned throughout the episode. The Government of Canada’s page on getting ready: https://www.cana...