Silken's Blog
Being A Strong Athlete Didn't Save Me From An Eating Disorder
Jun
02
Two 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
We Need To See Ourselves In The Mentally Ill
May
12
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
We Need To See Ourselves In The Mentally Ill
May
12
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
Courage To Come Back Awards 2016
May
06
I was involved as one of the founding co-hosts of the The Courage To Come Back Awards 17 years ago. In lieu of the courageous recipients of the awards last night, I found this note that I wrote many years ago.
I used to think courage was a heroic act, a one time deal, where someone... more
The Youth Of Attawapiskat Have Solutions To Fighting Suicide Crisis
Apr
14
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 years old. These teen years are tricky ones. I have only to look... more
Youth of Attawapiskat Have Solutions to Fighting Suicide Crisis - Is Canada Listening?
Apr
13
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
I was Looking to Get in Shape and I Found Community
Feb
29
I was looking to get in better shape and enjoy a new athletic challenge when I joined a triathlon group two years ago. Little did I know I was going to become a part of a supportive community that I now look forward to meeting with on a regular basis.
The group was called Mercury Rising... more
Sharing My Mental Health Story Was Tougher Than Olympic Competition
Jan
27
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
17
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
Celebrate Your New Year By Acknowledging Your Past Success
Jan
04
The New Year, with its talk of goals, resolutions, and new beginnings, can be alternatively inspiring and anxiety producing. What if you don't have a clear goal or resolution for 2016? Maybe you're one of those people who's never kept a New Years Resolution? Statistically, this is a big... more