Let’s Get Messy!
What is art therapy and how can it help?
Reprinted from the "Responding to Feelings" issue of Visions Journal, 2021, 16 (4), pp. 18-19
Going Mental in a Small Town
Michael found depression and anxiety harder to manage, and tried to book an appointment with a mental health clinic in town—the closest large town to his small community. The next appointment was a month away, an eternity for someone who needed help right away. Living in a small community has wonderful benefits, but it also means that help is not always easy to access when you need it. After a suicide attempt and short hospitalization, Michael was sent out on his own again with an address for a counselling clinic, and now must navigate a setback from COVID-19.
The Happiest Person You Know
When Seren had to share a culture as part of her class’ International Day, she picked Ukraine because she was too embarrassed of her own Indigenous culture. Even though she wanted a relationship with her heritage, she and her family also experienced racism. Find out how Seren put the pieces together between her mental well-being and her relationship with Indigenous culture to start a journey of healing.
My Recovery Discovery
Jillian’s story of depression, anxiety, PTSD and substance use is a story of pain—and self-discovery. She recognizes her early warning signs and that ignoring or minimizing them means slipping down a rabbit hole of self-loathing and despair. She also accepts that she needs a community around her. With growing insights, Jillian shares with readers seven of her most valuable steps for self-care and recovery.
Understanding Mental Illness in Your Family
If you have someone in your family with a mental illness, you may be wondering what is going on. When a person has a mental illness, it means their brain is not working right. Our brain controls how we think, feel and behave, so mental illness changes how a person thinks, feels and behaves.
What Helps, What Hurts
Many people want to support a friend who is feeling down or depressed but just don't know how. Even with good intentions, they somehtimes end up saying things that do more harm than good.
For Youth: Dealing with Depression
Asking for help is not always easy, but it’s the first step towards feeling better. Remember that you don’t have to have all the answers when you ask for help. You just need to know that something doesn’t seem right and you want to know what’s going on.
For Young Adults: Learn about Depression
You might be navigating a lot of big changes: graduating high school, pursuing post-secondary education, leaving home, starting a career, and more. Some of these changes are exciting, and some may be a bit scary or overwhelming. Any change can be stressful, and stress can have a big impact on your mood. It’s normal to feel sad or low from time to time, but feeling low or sad most of time may be a sign that you need extra support.
For Young Adults: Dealing with Depression
Depression can make you feel like you’re all alone. Asking for help is not always easy, but it’s the first step towards feeling better.
For Youth: Learn about Depression
How many times have you heard someone about how depressed they feel because they’re a little bit disappointed or upset? Some people use the word ‘depression’ to mean a lot of different things, or even make jokes. But depression is really an illness that we all need to take seriously. .
