Many of us are still mourning the horrific news of the 215 children's remains that were found in Kamloops that was discovered only a few weeks ago. It is suspected that the first residential school opened in 1831 and only closed as recently as 1996. Since then, many of the…

This morning, I happened upon a documentary currently circulating titled “The Wisdom of Trauma” featuring Gabor Mate. If you have done any research around addiction or trauma you may recognize his name. Gabor is a well-known physician whose work in the Upper Downtown Eastside of Vancouver is remarkable. He also…

I had a conversation recently with my brother. We were outside having soup and salad in the sunshine. Mental illness has been very prevalent in our family and it is often a topic of conversation between him and me. I said to him, “I’m so terrified that if I tell…

Strategies for Pulling Yourself out of a Writing Rut Perhaps the kryptonite of a writer is having nothing to write about. As I sit here, I have been struggling to find something to write for a few hours. This happens to me often. I will think of article topics all…

I’ve spent the past two days at the local mall. The first day I went with a friend, intending on window shopping and the second day I went back by myself intending to actually purchase. I’ve been a “bigger woman” for the majority of my life, excluding a brief period…

Exploring personal use of cannabidiol to soothe the aches of mental illness. For the better part of the last year, I’ve been using cannabidiol or “CBD” daily. I had previously been smoking a lot of what I call “Real weed” (or weed with primary just THC content) and was experiencing…

Taking care of yourself when everything in you is done. I had a phone call with my psychiatrist recently. I told him my woes about how I was finding it difficult to get out of bed and do everyday tasks. …

Now, don’t get me wrong not everyone's story is the same. Some of us have heartbreaking childhood stories. For some of us, forgiveness seems unattainable and intangible. Growing up me and my mom had a difficult time. We argued often, couldn’t see eye to eye and spent many days and…

Moving, in general, can be a major pain in the ass. From downsizing to packing to transporting your belongings; the process of moving can be one of the most stressful experiences in one's life. Let alone choosing to move across the country. …