Articles

How PTSD, Anxiety, and Depression Influence Your Lifestyle as a First Responder Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, is a mental illness commonly experienced by millions of first responders. The development of PTSD and other psychological disorders, including anxiety and depression, are caused by ongoing exposure to traumatic and life-threatening events on the job. The impact […]

The Covid-19 pandemic has shifted the world as we know it quite drastically over the past year. As we struggle to adjust to this new normal, we grieve the loss of so many things. From lost jobs, cancelled vacations, and missed opportunities, we have all had something important taken away from us. While everyone’s mental […]

The Unique Challenges Involved in Raising Children as a First Responder First responders experience a significant amount of stress throughout their careers. While enduring long days, unpredictable events, and life-threatening incidents involving serious exposure to trauma, first responders risk developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The effects of this are not isolated only to the first […]

The Impact of PTSD on First Responders’ Interpersonal Relationships First responders risk their lives on the front line each and every day to put others' needs ahead of their own safety and well-being. While exposing themselves to high levels of stress, repeated exposure to trauma, and limited sleep, first responders bear the greatest risk to […]

Making Valentine’s Day about self-love and gratitude can do wonders for your mental health When you think of Valentine's Day, your mind might jump to the thought of romantic couples, date nights, receiving chocolates or flowers, and so on. The truth is, although Valentine's Day is a day of love, it is not reserved for […]

Since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, the world around us has shifted dramatically. The repercussions of this global crisis has greatly devastated millions of families. Of the many people affected, new parents are presented with even more uncertainty than ever before. Right now you may be feeling isolated, stressed, exhausted, or perhaps a mixture […]

The Mental Health Implications for First Responders After Experiencing Traumatic Events First responders provide essential services to the entire community. These brave individuals provide on-scene response and face challenging and dangerous situations every day. They consistently risk their own lives despite facing multiple dangers in order to provide support to disaster survivors, and as such, […]

Insights from a School Board Leader and Mother “When 'I' is replaced by 'We', even illness becomes wellness.” - unknown When did you first hear about the shut down for COVID-19? How did you get the news – and how did you tell your children? Does it matter? Absolutely This moment in time is in […]

Q + A with a registered social worker and psychotherapist about caring for our mental health over the holidays during a pandemic. With summer well behind us and the colder months approaching, we are heading into our first holiday season with the pandemic on our minds. Many of us wonder what these winter months will […]

Do you feel pressure from friends or family to delight in the fall season? From the fall colours to the pumpkin flavoured treats, and your favourite cozy sweater, we can seem to forget this time of year is quite difficult for many people. With the fall season winding down and a decrease in temperatures and […]