July is Bereaved Parents Month, which, speaking from experience, is something those who have lost a child wish to ignore. Counterintuitive, I know. The reality is that such campaigns tend to ignite physical and emotional reactions in bereaved parents that we would...
How a Simple Hello Can Save a Life
I'm representing the #YellowIsForHello team this week on a cross-Country trek for CMHA's Mental Health Awareness Week, and so the #mentalhealthmonday tip for this week is inspired by the message I'll be sharing with students from North Vancouver, BC to St. John's,...
Don’t Worry, Be Happy
Tip from Jamaica: "Don't Worry, Be Happy." To help fight the negative narrative of "Blue Monday" today (known as the most depressing day of the year), we've declared it #YellowMonday - the most optimistic day of the year! Inspired by this effort and the well...
Dancing Reduces Anxiety and Depression in Students
Break dance? Belly dance? Ballet? Ballroom? Doesn’t matter – the results are in and be with a pair of two left feet or otherwise, dance has been proven to improve your overall mood and your mental health. A meta-analysis of 23 international studies on the effects of...
Knitting Your Way to Mental Health
Many young men are reportedly discovering the art of knitting - and it's a good thing (to quote Martha Stewart). Many will criticize this as "just another hipster fad" but whatever the reason for this trend, I'm thankful for it. And no, I’m not putting out a call for...
Failing Expectations – My Journey
Growing up, there was one driving expectation my parents – like all other Traditionalists and Boomers at the time - placed on me: Go to university, graduate, and become a successful, well-paid professional. There was no discussion or consideration of not going to a...
The Power of Music on Students’ Mental Health
Music can have a physical affect your body; music can help decrease emotional distress and amplify a variety of moods. It’s said that music is one of the few activities that involves using the majority or entirety of the human brain. It can have the same effects...
A Case for Social Connectedness and Student Mental Health
We often talk about the importance of good diet and exercise in the maintenance of good mental health in school; however, building and maintain social connections is just as important. And that's this week's #MentalHealthMonday Tip. A Case for Social Connectedness and...
Happiness Jar Fosters Positive Mental Health Habits
The stress that students place on themselves – and that are placed on them – is ever-growing. Exams, assignments, work, financial pressures, social pressures, and/or living away from home add an often unbearable amount of stress and anxiety to even the most...
How Laughter Fights Anxiety & Depression in Students [video]
While traveling through various universities and colleges last week I noticed a few groups of students playing the bawdy card game “Cards Against Humanity” and really laughing their asses off. I’ve played the game with friends, I know where that laughter comes from;...