To say that COVID has shattered the lives of many would be the biggest understatement of 2020. I recently learned that a place very dear to my heart has been forced to shut its doors as a result of being dark since March. I am a...
A couple of weeks ago, my daughter went shopping with a friend one evening. While they were eating in the mall’s food court, they were approached by a teenage boy who explained that he was shooting a video and asked if he could film them....
Being at home, pretty much 24/7 with my husband and three teenagers has been interesting, to say the least. In some ways, it’s been wonderful. Having a much more relaxed schedule and nowhere to go has meant that we’ve been able to slow down as a...
Today marks 12 years since my father died. It feels like yesterday, but it also feels like 100 years ago. This year is particularly hard. I keep wanting to call him and ask his opinion on Covid. I want to show him pictures of my...
It's been a while since I've posted a blog about my mental health journey, but today is Bell Let's Talk day, and I've had something on my mind that I think is worth sharing. Last night I watched Joker. If you haven't seen it, I...
OPERATION RAINBOW MTL is an initiative organized by Girls Living Out Loud (GLOL), a non-profit girl’s empowerment organization based out of Montreal, Quebec. In partnership with Juliette et Chocolat, Cameo Furniture, Decarie Motors, Altitude Connections, West Island Therapy and Wellness Centre, Christina Esteban Photography and...
Wise Women Canada is proud to be partnering with MINDSTRONG, an initiative of the Jewish General Hospital Foundation and Auxiliary to raise awareness and funds for psychiatry services and infrastructure. Stay tuned for great posts about surviving quarantine and maintaining your physical and mental health...
We believe that giving back is an essential component of mental and physical wellness. Volunteering and doing for others can reduce stress, help manage depression and anxiety, enlarge your social circle and provide a sense of purpose. This is how we give back at the West...
Over the years, I’ve heard a lot of interesting comments from people when they learn that I live with mental illness. Advice is probably the most common theme, as in - have you tried focusing on the positive? Do you get enough fresh air? Going...
This blog is about recovery. I will not share the details of what living with an eating disorder was like or how it played out in my life. I do not want anyone to compare, feel invalidated, not “sick enough” etc. My intention in writing...
Motherhood is a mindf#$%. Pretty bold statement, I know, so please allow this mama to share her journey with you. I am 7 months postpartum, and while I pretty much despised being pregnant, there is this sadness that this chapter of my life is now over....
Last Wednesday marked Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. It's a day of atonement on which Jews pray, engage in a 25 hour fast, and ask God for forgiveness for any sins they may have committed in the last year. As a cultural...
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As a grade 7 high school student, I was asked to write an English essay about my "hopes, dreams, and aspirations for the future". Most teens in my class described ambitious academic and career goals and philanthropic intentions. I chose to write about my hopes...
This is not a pretty pregnancy. This is a pregnancy I worked damn hard for. Today I spent a day at the pool and looked around and saw this beautiful pregnant woman with a perfectly round belly (like she had a basketball hiding in there)...
As I pass the 20 year mark on my diabetic journey, I have come to a place of reflection on the reality of what I have been through. Before I begin with the personal side, I should shed some light on the disease I have...
Yesterday we sent our respective eldest children off on the trip of a lifetime. One where they’ll learn about their heritage and identity, come face to face with a tragic and unfathomable history, and also celebrate strength and perseverance. It’s hard to be a parent....
An incredibly talented and successful designer who was a household name. A gifted story teller, chef and tv personality. This week the world lost two remarkable human beings who made an indelible mark on the world. Looking from the outside, it was hard to see...
Someone once told me that you really only notice how quickly time passes once you have children. Today, on the day that my first born is graduating high school, I can tell you that no truer words have ever been spoken. Didn’t I just give...
Normally on Wednesdays I see my psychologist. Today I saw my psychiatrist. People often ask me what the difference is or get confused between the two. Here’s the distinction - a psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specializes in the prescription and management of medication...
In the five years since we've launched Wise Women Canada, we've learned so much. The experiences we've had, including television appearances, public speaking opportunities, our own radio show and a column in a national magazine (among countless others), have been nothing short of amazing. With...
Every time someone emerges from the silence to share their mental illness story, we move one step closer to a world where there is no more stigma. And that’s amazing. But we need to take it a step further. We need to share HOW we manage...
If you asked my friends and family to describe me, the words confident and strong would no doubt be on the list. I’m not afraid to speak my mind and I thrive on taking chances and stepping outside of my comfort zone. But something most...
Most days, scrolling through social media is a relatively benign activity. We get to see the things our family and friends are up to, and maybe a dose of fashion, some baby animals or food porn. But some days, the impulse to throw in the...
Q & A With Wise Women Canada Founders, Lisa Brookman and Liz Wiener Q: What is Wise Women Canada? A: Wise Women Canada is the initiative of best friends, psychotherapist Lisa Brookman and educator Liz Wiener. With a passion for helping others, they’ve created an online community with...
Do you have a story you tell yourself? I’m not talking about that secret fantasy about the hot Starbucks barista. The story I’m talking about is the one that works like a Venus Flytrap, sucking you in and holding you hostage to some pretty negative and harmful...
Last week, the tragic news of Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain’s deaths flooded our newsfeeds and shocked us to our cores. In April it was the passing of 28 year-old Swedish DJ and producer, Avicci, and just over a year ago, we mourned the deaths...
The time is now. This is my story, her story, his story‒this is our story. Mental Health Empowerment Day is the brainchild of Leanne Matlow, Special Education Resource teacher, and CBT Counsellor. Leanne is a Professional Colleague of the Academy of Cognitive Therapy. She is the...
Marie-Vincent Foundation wants to build a world free of sexual violence. To achieve this ambitious goal, we work on several fronts: prevention, specialized treatment, research and training. Preventing sexual violence The Marie-Vincent Foundation, is committed to playing a role in preventing sexual violence by targeting children,...
The Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer, The CIBC Run for the Cure, The Weekend to End Breast Cancer; these are just a few of the very successful annual fundraisers for incredibly worthy organizations we’ve come to expect and appreciate. The odds are you know someone...