Mental Health
More and more we are coming to understand the importance of our mental health. But the stigma still remains. If we neglect our mental health it can impact our physical health, our relationships and our work. Like the Physical Health page, this is a place where we can share our experiences, resources. successes and struggles, as well as provide support to one another.
Please Note: we may include our names on these pages, everyone else will be identified as “Contributor” or “Peer” unless express permission has been given. If you have any comments or feedback on anything posted, please contact us.
Subject: On the Journey Together
Posted: June 9, 2023
On the Journey Together
Wallace & Melanie: When we opened the Spring 2023 copy of SCIO's Community magazine, we found 3 of our friends featured in it! We posted 2 under Mental Health and 1 under Our Stories. "On the Journey Together" is the second article we came across and it features Bill Russell and his wife Sharon. In this article, the focus is on SCIO's Family Connections program. Often family members step into the role of caregiver/care partner, but there is little to no support for them. Programs like this help to fill the gap. Sharon and her peers learn the importance of sharing and maintaining a regiment of self care. After all, how can we be of support to others if our internal resources are depleted?
Congratulations Sharon and Bill!
Subject: Filling the Toolbox
Posted: June 9, 2023
Filling the Toolbox
Wallace & Melanie: When we opened the Spring 2023 copy of SCIO's Community magazine, we found 3 of our friends featured in it! We posted 2 under Mental Health and 1 under Our Stories. "Filling the Toolbox" is the first article we came across and it features Phil Raney (aka Pip). In this article, Pip discusses the tools he has collected that have helped him in his journey of improving and maintaining his mental health, as well as the positive impact of giving back and sharing with peers in the disability community. Wallace is so pleased to be a part of the ICBT and physical activity programs that Pip talks about, and we are both so happy we can host peer hangouts where we can all share.
Congratulations Phil!
Subject: The Body Is Not An Apology - Sonya Renee Taylor
Posted: May 6, 2022
The Body Is Not An Apology - Sonya Renee Taylor
Melanie: I just finished Sonya Renee Taylor's book The Body Is Not An Apology. So it is not a surprise to me that there is a website dedicated to radical self love of the same name. A cornucopia of resources! I wish I could gift the book to everyone who would like to explore the topic and start the journey. A network of resources that we can dive into.
Check out the cover for Sonya's book HERE. Amazing!
Vision of The Body Is Not An Apology: We believe in the possibility of sustainable social change, community, and personal health and wellness. We know such change must be built on a foundation of deep radical self-love. We are an intersectional, global, difference-celebrating movement that knows our age, race, size, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, class, and every other human attribute are assets toward unapologetic radical self-love and living. We know that each time we heal our shame, love our bodies, value ourselves, and step into our power, we give someone else permission to do the same!
Subject: Wheel Girl Stories
Posted: May 6, 2022
Wheel Girl Stories
Melanie: I struggled with knowing what page to put this post on. I decided on Mental Health. The creation, implementation and longevity of this group speaks to the POWER of PEERS. The Wheel Girls are there for one another... through thick and thin... the BIG stuff and the SMALL stuff. These are the types of groups people need to be connected with before they leave rehab. You can have all the love and support of family and friends... but nothing beats the peer connection. And if you do not have supportive friends and family? Even more of a reason to be connected with your peers.
Host, Beth Deer introduces us to the group and we get to sit in on their conversations. Beth has other content on AMI (Accessible Media Inc)... to see more, click HERE.
AMI's Mission and Vision: AMI is a not-for-profit media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canadians who are blind or partially sighted. Operating three broadcast services, AMI-tv and AMI-audio in English and AMI-télé in French, AMI’s vision is to establish and support a voice for Canadians with disabilities, representing their interests, concerns and values through accessible media, reflection and portrayal.
Subject: Taking a Sitting Stand: The Spoon Theory
Posted: January 5, 2022
Taking a Sitting Stand: The Spoon Theory
Melanie: There are many articles and videos explaining The Spoon Theory. This is just one of them - but it's a good one. The video at the beginning tells it all. John Loeppky does a stellar job. This is important for EVERYONE to consider. It can help you to explain your energy levels to others AND it can help challenge ableist thinking.
When we have a greater understanding of what others may be going through we become better friends, partners and allies. I have decided to include this on the following pages: ABC of SCI, Mental Health and Physical Health.
John Loeppky: It's all too easy to exclude disabled people because of a sense of inconvenience, but that can leave us feeling unwanted.
Subject: Wellness Together Canada
Posted: June 8, 2021
Wellness Together Canada
Melanie: This website is free for Canadians at home and abroad, offering Mental Health and Substance Use Support. It looks like they have variety of supports and they have a immediate crisis support. We are hoping programs like this continue to exist post-Covid.
Subject: Let’s Talk About Mental Health
Posted: May 16, 2021
Let’s Talk About Mental Health
Wallace & Melanie: Mental Health Week was May 3rd to 8th this year (2021). The goal is to raise awareness about the importance of mental health. Innovation Works and Wellness Works offered free online events for Mental Health Week and we were thrilled to be a part of!
Our presentation is called “Let’s Talk About Mental Health” and we presented it on Thursday, May 6th, 2021.
Subject: BounceBack Ontario
Posted: May 13, 2021
BounceBack Ontario
Melanie & Wallace: We participated in Mental Health Week last week. What a great experience. During a session on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), the presenter mentioned this site. We have not looked into it yet, but we wanted to share the link with you. If anyone has had experience with it, please consider contacting us with some feedback. Here’s what the introduction says…
“BounceBack is a free, guided self-help program that’s effective in helping people aged 15 and up who are experiencing mild-to-moderate anxiety or depression, or may be feeling low, stressed, worried, irritable or angry.
Participants receive telephone coaching, skill-building workbooks and online videos to help them overcome these symptoms and gain new skills to regain positive mental health. To receive telephone coaching support, clients must either be referred by their primary care provider (family doctor, nurse practitioner) or psychiatrist, or they may self-refer as long as they’re connected with a primary care provider. For those who are not quite ready for coaching, our online videos can provide helpful tips.
BounceBack is not a crisis service, psychotherapy or counselling, but a life-skills program that participants work with to develop coping techniques so they can overcome challenges now or in the future. Typically, participants take three to six months to complete the program.”
Subject: Unlocking Us
Posted: February 17, 2021
Unlocking Us
Melanie: Wallace and I like to go out for walks together when the weather is good. When I go out on my own, I will often listen to an audiobook or a podcast. By the end of 2019 I was heading for a complete burn out and my health was compromised. I started listening to Brene Brown’s podcast “Unlocking Us” in early 2020 and wow… what a positive impact it has had on me (including how I interact with Wallace). Brene has a variety of guests talking about a wide array of topics. Divergent thinking! The common thread is being true to yourself, doing the work to make self improvements and to be open to change.
Subject: Headspace Guide to Meditation
Posted: February 17, 2021
Headspace Guide to Meditation
Melanie: I often have a hard time falling asleep at night. I might be tired but the trains in my head just keep chugging - and now I have hormonal changes going on. I have tried lots of different strategies, including sound apps, but nothing was quite right for me. Then, about a week ago, I came across this series on Netflix. For me, it’s the combination of the content, the visual and the voice. As soon as I start it I feel a calm and a quiet come over me… similar to when I am doing yoga.