Avni Jain, Registered Psychotherapist & Mental Health Consultant

01/09/2019

While working in the realm of addictions and mental health, I’ve learnt and seen a lot from individuals coming in and out of the doors at Bellwood Health Services. Here is a compelling memoir by Greg Couillard, a Toronto self-made chef and his journey through food, fame, addiction and recovery!

“As each review got more over the top, saying things like I was the most important thing to happen to the Toronto restaurant scene in 20 years, I thought that somebody would call me out as a fraud. Booze helped kill the anxiety. And as more friends kept dropping from AIDS, booze helped kill the pain of that, too.”

https://torontolife.com/food/confessions-rebel-chef/

Get informed with the latest facts and stats on mental heath and addictions in Canada!

https://www.camh.ca/en/driving-change/the-crisis-is-real/mental-health-statistics

Confessions of a rebel chef

02/19/2018

This Family Day we are encouraged to think and reflect on the positive contribution our family and friends have in our lives. As well, by surrounding ourselves with nurturing and loving people will lead to a longer and more fulfilling life.

Today, I share with you a Ted Talk that reinforces a message of what contributes to us aging well, in efforts to spend more time with our loved ones....

A study looked at societies around the world who had large populations of centenarians. 4 factors contributed to their longevity and vitality:
1. Move naturally- set up a life to be nudged into exercise ie. walk, garden, take the stairs
2. Right outlook - “ikigai” have a reason for which you wake up in the morning
3. Eat wisely - eat mostly a plant based diet (you can still eat meat and fish) and stop when you are 80% full
4. Connect -isolation kills. Fifteen years ago, the average American had three good friends. We're down to one and half right now.

"When it comes to longevity there is no short term fix in a pill or anything else. But when you think about it, your friends are long-term adventures, and therefore, perhaps the most significant thing you can do to add more years to your life, and life to your years."

Hoping today we can spread the message of love, family, friendship and the impact it has on each and every one of us as we grow older together.

Happy family day!

Ps. Watch the documentary If You’re Not In the Obit, Eat Breakfast (on Netflix now)

https://www.ted.com/talks/dan_buettner_how_to_live_to_be_100/up-next

To find the path to long life and health, Dan Buettner and team study the world's "Blue Zones," communities whose elders live with vim and vigor to record-setting age. In his talk, he shares the 9 common diet and lifestyle habits that keep them spry past age 100.

09/21/2017

Today is . Research shows that counting our blessings improves psychological, emotional, and physical well-being. And when we speak our gratitude aloud, it becomes more powerful and transformative!

Take a moment and ask yourself...

What are you grateful for today? and how will you share this aloud?

Also, if you have time, click on the resources below to learn more about the benefits of integrating a gratitude mindset. I definitely reccommend watching the youtube video!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHv6vTKD6lg

https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/gratitude

What makes you happy? Have you ever wondered why? Join us as we take an experimental approach on what makes people happier. Behind the Scenes of the episode!...

08/25/2017

How frequent is Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)?

-About 1.6% of the general population meets the diagnostic criteria for BPD, but some studies estimate this to be as high as 5.9%

-BPD is much more prevalent in certain settings: 6% in primary care settings, about 10% of the people seen in outpatient mental health clinics and 20% of the people who are treated in an inpatient psychiatric facility.

-75% of people diagnosed are women.

Educate yourself on BPD today or connect with a health professional.

http://borderlinethefilm.com/projects/
(a trove of short videos featuring leading researchers in the field of BPD as well as people living with BPD and their family)

06/13/2017

As much as 10% of men globally suffer from postnatal depression.

"I couldn't name the deepening sense of dissatisfaction I was experiencing while I was trapped in a vortex of adult responsibilities"

If you do suspect someone in your life is struggling, you might urge those closest to him to spend quality one-on-one time with him. Feeling needed and appreciated can help restore confidence and self-esteem in anyone. Get in touch with your family physician or a mental health professional for advice on how to best support him.

http://www.cbc.ca/parents/learning/view/i-was-unhappy-after-becoming-a-dad-and-i-should-have-talked-about-it-sooner

It took me three years to admit that I was profoundly unhappy, but I am grateful that I finally did.

05/29/2017

"There is a perception that this age group is healthy, but they're not"

I have been working with university students since 2013, its about time universities and buisnesses scramble to increase funding and supports available for our young-adults. "With decreased mental health stigma and increased awareness of the services available on campus, people are coming out of the woodwork who are no longer ashamed,”

If you need help finding on campus or off campus resources, dont hesitate to send me a message. There are counselling and mental health supports available near you.

https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2017/05/29/youth-mental-health-demand-is-exploding-how-universities-and-business-are-scrambling-to-react.html

Data collected from across the country shows the extent of the problems. “There is a perception that this age group is healthy, but they’re not.”

05/01/2017

Building resilience in our children can begin by showing them that they matter and belong - a term defined as "mattering". Talking about loss, hardship and expressing painful memories can be uncomfortable in the moment, but improves mental and even physical health over time.

Visit: optionb.org for more resources

https://mobile.nytimes.com/2017/04/24/opinion/sheryl-sandberg-how-to-build-resilient-kids-even-after-a-loss.html?_r=0&referer=https://www.linkedin.com/

After my husband’s death, I set out to learn everything I could about how kids persevere through adversity.

04/10/2017

What is the big deal about Meditation?

Danika, mental health counsellor from C'est La Vie Wellness combats myths around the practice and encourages individuals to try her library of guided meditations - FREE & only 10 minutes long. Check out her blog!

http://cestlaviewellness.ca/?p=569

04/07/2017

"We came in before there was a real problem" - said very few couples coming for couples counselling.

Much of the time, couples aren’t this proactive. Dr. Gottman’s research has shown that the average couple waits six years before seeking help with their marital problems. What are possible misconceptions about therapy that are preventing them from acting sooner?

https://m-huffpost-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/m.huffpost.com/us/entry/us_58cf5a96e4b0537abd957279/amp

By Margaret Rutherford, Ph.D. As a couples therapist, “We came in before there was a real problem” is music to my ears. This very wise couple...