Centre for Trauma Recovery and Growth
4711 Yonge St., 10th floor M2N 6K8 Toronto, ON, Canada

"#Loneliness is like hunger. If you're hungry, it's not like you're not deserving of food. But sometimes when you're lonely, it can feel like you're not deserving of love. This is a lie! And it's one that we can fill ourselves with and find ourselves in a really bad place."... Wise, compassionate words from Your Korean Dad. Thanks ! #DontBelieveEverythingYouThink

#BellLetsTalk (to each other). Worried about someone but don't know what to say? Tip : start the conversation by bringing up the specific change you've seen. "I've noticed that you're not replying to my most of my texts anymore, when you usually message back within a few hours. Is something going on?" This can help to open the door to a more genuine conversation. They may not be ready to walk through that door just yet, but they know the door is open.

#COVID19 has certainly been difficult & it can feel sometimes that we're barely hanging on in this marathon. Many of us are stressed, but it can help you & peer to check in with genuine "how are you doing?" #BellLetsTalk... Dr. Lee chatted with Jerry Agar about the #mentalhealth impacts of the ongoing restrictions. Listen here! https://omny.fm//bell-let-s-talk-the-impact-of-lock-downs-

A simple conversation 16 years ago transformed my idea of effective #leadership: one could lead with #empathy. I was in grad school & having a very difficult time personally & work-wise. I was late with paperwork for my clinical placements & the clinical coordinator asked to meet with me. As soon as I sat down, I began babbling an apology. She looked at me & put her hand up to pause me. I did NOT expect what happened next. "I don't care about that right now," she kindly said.... "I just want to know how you're doing. We can worry about the forms later." I was speechless (which, if you know me, is rare :P ). And in an instant, my anxiety decreased and my defenses relaxed. "No, things have been pretty rough lately." I didn't tell her what had been happening in my life. But a door was opened that day. She helped me prioritize what needed to done first & together we figured out a timeline for the rest of the work. #EmpathicLeadership does not mean weak leadership. It does not mean excusing away low performance or misconduct. It means that true leaders recognize that we're all human, and work together to figure out the best solution. Thank you, Dr. Leora Swartzman Western University , for modelling true leadership that day. I have never forgotten this conversation. #bellletstalk

#2020: What. A. Year. Pain, isolation, & so much meanness. But more so, #kindness & #compassion carried us through. You're still standing; you're here. You are resilient, whether you know it or not. What helped you survive the year? Let's bring it forward into #2021. #HappyNewYear! #NewYearsEve2021

#Mentalhealth continues to be the orphan of health care. Yet, early access to #psychotherapy & #psychological treatment could prevent much worse problems (& save government $$). In the meantime, free #virtual support for #Canadians (links in the article): https://www.theglobeandmail.com//article-covid-19-is-caus/... Wellness Together Canada Kids Help Phone Crisis Services Canada

"...[my dad] had so much love for us that he walked through hell every single day just to stay with us... I refuse to shy away from hard conversations and uncomfortable moments for I know too well that one moment is all it takes to change a world forever." Thank you to the author for sharing your story & incredible strength.... Tragedy and time: How I came to understand my dad after #suicide https://www.cbc.ca//newfound/pov-hayward-suicide-1.5773174

#Military #Veterans #FirstResponders: Participate in a pilot study for an online, self-guided intervention! Couple HOPES is for #couples where at least one partner has significant #PTSD symptoms. Your relationship does NOT have to be in distress https://couplehopes.com

So much emotion conveyed in one piece of art. Erected in Bristol, UK, for #WorldSuicidePreventionDay. https://www.bristol247.com//comforting-new-sculpture-appe/ If you know of someone who's struggling, reach out. You don't have to "fix" their problems. Sit together with them in their pain for a while.

"You worthless piece of $!@#" Imagine saying that to your kids. Horrifying, right? Yet, it has the same impact when we say it to ourselves over and over. Is someone in your life struggling? Major change in their behaviour? Check in on them. Please don't worry about saying "The Right Thing". Let them know that "we'll figure it out together". Dr. Lee chatted this morning with Jerry Agar about why it can be so uncomfortable to talk about #suicide:... https://omny.fm//why-are-we-still-so-uncomfortable-talking #WorldSuicidePreventionDay

What is #success? "...to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded." ~Ralph Waldo Emerson What difference will you make in someone's world today? Whether it's a kind smile or saving someone's life. Sure, you *could* make someone feel small to "win"...but why?