advocate blog posts

Mental Health is Health

May

This week has been Canadian Mental Health Association’s Mental Health Week. I’ve seen a lot of excitement about it online – there has never been a time in history where so much emphasis has been put on our health. That said, a Google search of “health” provides an overwhelming amount of... more

World Autism Awareness Day: what I would like to share with others

Apr

I don’t have autism, and up until ten years ago, I can honestly say I understood very little about autisms or the lives of families who have children affected by autism. There was a boy in my daughter’s grade three class who was non-verbal, had some severe behaviours and spent very... more

Being A Strong Athlete Didn't Save Me From An Eating Disorder

Feb

Four years ago, I shared my struggles with anorexia and disordered eating by writing a book, Unsinkable. Journalists in the following weeks expressed disappointment that another athlete had an eating disorder. They had held me up as a strong woman who went after her dreams, and suddenly I... more

Becoming a mom forced me to deal with my mental illness — and my family’s.

Jan

Last night I was putting my stepdaughter to bed, when she ran downstairs and frantically opened every cupboard in the front entrance looking for two flashlights. Once she found the two flashlights, she moved them to another drawer, aligning them meticulously. When she was satisfied they... more

We Need To See Ourselves In The Mentally Ill

May

Here is a thought. Until we can see ourselves in the mentally ill we will not stand up and fight for better care, increased awareness, and greater funding. As long as we stand to one side and not recognize that we are all vulnerable, that mental illness can happen to any one of us, we... more

Youth of Attawapiskat Have Solutions to Fighting Suicide Crisis - Is Canada Listening?

Apr

My heart swells when I read about the youth of Attawapiskat and the recent suicide pact that was thwarted by the quick actions of police, local services and community. I am the mother of four teenagers ranging from 16 to 20 yrs old. These teen years are tricky ones. I have only to look at... more

Sharing My Mental Health Story Was Tougher Than Olympic Competition

Jan

I get excited about Bell Let's Talk day. It's a day when we give ourselves permission to have open conversations about mental illness. Kudos to Clara Hughes and the team who championed this initiative from the start, and in a few short years pried the conversation about mental health wide... more

There’s No Reason To Dread The Teenage Years: Parenting 101

Jan

My kids have all returned to school, and with them their friends, their boyfriends, and the happy high paced days and long nights of holiday with teenagers. Teenagers do not sleep the same hours as us adults, and trying to keep up with their zany schedule is as futile as it is exhausting... more

On World Autism Day

Apr

As a speaker, a writer and advocate for healthy kids, I make my life in the business of communication. As a NLP Master Practitioner and Life Coach, I pay attention to the words people chose to express their ideas and emotions, and I am careful of the language I use to express my own. I... more

Decision by Rowing Canada wrong and should be reversed

Oct

Last night dozens of athletes were reaching out to Mike Spracklen as they heard the startling news of his very public firing from his position of men’s coach at Rowing Canada. Mike Spracklen is a legend in our sport, and to the athletes he led over several decades in this country, he... more