Taking a hard look at mental health in the workplace, is it on the rise and why?  On this episode of Authentic Living with Roxanne, we welcome Mental Health Specialist, Sue-Ann Maislin who will share her strategies to create a more empathetic and supportive workplace.

Sue-Ann is passionate about improving mental health and occupational safety in the workplace. She has successfully partnered with over 200 leading Canadian employers, introducing practical strategies to improve mental health, including an informed response to challenging workplace health, safety and performance issues. Sue-Ann’s expertise helps employers mitigate risk and remain current with legislative requirements.

Authentic Touch Points:
What is causing the increase of mental health issues in the workplace?  3:30
The shift from employers when it effects the bottom line.  10:00
How small companies can help their employees.  16:55
Employers and leaders struggle too.  21:00
Training leaders to be authentic and connected is essential. 24:15
Creating a safe and compassionate environment.  27:30
Let’s talk.  33:05
Reaching out to Sue-Ann and how she can help.  38:10

Sue-Ann obtained her Master’s in Counselling Psychology and Adult Education from the University of Toronto and has a post-graduate certificate in Workplace Wellness and Health Promotion from Centennial College. Sue-Ann has over 20 years’ leadership experience in the private and not-for-profit sectors and has been a senior consulting member of Morneau Shepell’s Workplace Learning team since 2007.

I encourage you to reach out at any time with thoughts or questions. Click here to contact me at your convenience.

Thanks!

Roxanne

Links:
Sue-Ann’s website: https://sueannmaislin.com 
Canadian Standards Association: The National Standard for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace (Provides employers with guidelines for promoting mental health and psychological safety in the workplace): https://www.csagroup.org/article/cancsa-z1003-13-bnq-9700-803-2013-r2018/ 
Not Myself today - an evidence-based program to reduce stigma and build mental health literacy in the workplace (free and low cost educational options for employers): https://www.notmyselftoday.ca 
Bell Let’s Talk Toolkit - a free toolkit for improving conversations about mental health in the workplace: https://letstalk.bell.ca/en/toolkit

We are taught from a young age that in order to be successful we must do well in school and move on to higher education. On this episode of Authentic Living with Roxanne, we are joined by Bruce Outridge who discovered that this isn’t always true.

Bruce is an artist, author, consultant, and speaker. He has been a professional cartoonist for over a decade, author of four books on business and leadership, business and marketing consultant, and speaker for creative entrepreneurs and the transportation industry.

Bruce’s journey. 2:00

Bruce is the host and producer of two podcasts, the Inspiring Youth television show and has been a columnist and social media expert for industry since 2007. This all began after a 25-year driving career as a professional truck driver and fleet supervisor.

Bruce is also a member of the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers, the Hamilton Niagara Fleet Safety Council, Oakville Arts Council, the International Society of Caricature Artists, Association of Canadian Cartoonists, and the Burlington Chamber of Commerce.

I encourage you to reach out at any time with thoughts or questions. Click here to contact me at your convenience. Thanks!

Roxanne

Bruce’s websites: https://bruceoutridge.com

There seems to be an alarming rise of mental health issues in youth today. Is it a case of being more aware of the issues and the options for help or is it actually more prevalent today than ever before? On this episode of Authentic Living with Roxanne we welcome Mental Health Practitioner, Natasha Halliday, MA, CYC.

Natasha is a Child and Youth Care Practitioner and Speaker. She has worked for over 20 years with youth in a variety of settings, including group homes, schools, community agencies and hospitals.

Are mental health concerns in children on the rise? 3:00

Natasha currently works in two GTA hospitals. She received her BA in Child and Youth Care from the University of Victoria, and recently completed a Master's in Child and Youth Care at Ryerson University. She has worked with ‘at risk’ youth in Toronto’s east end. She has focused the bulk of her practice, working with mentally ill youth at several GTA hospitals. She also teaches in the Child and Youth Care Program at Centennial College.

Natasha is an advocate for fostering resilience and has spoken at mental health forums addressing drug-induced psychosis and mental health in the black community. She is currently in the process of developing programs to help youth function and live optimally through developing resilience and practicing mindfulness.

I encourage you to reach out at any time with thoughts or questions. Thanks!

Roxanne

Natasha’s website: https://www.natashahalliday.com
Natasha’s email: [email protected]

Are there more mental health issues today or are we just more aware of them due to the stigma being lessened, more coverage in the media and more celebrities speaking out about their own mental health struggles?  On this episode of Authentic Living with Roxanne, we welcome Mardi Daley who is a Young Adult Peer Specialist.

Mardi is a person with lived experience of the complexities of homelessness and mental illness. With a permanent smile and contagious laugh, she considers herself an anomaly within the system, determined to impact multi-level change by advocating for holistic youth engagement. 

Authentic Touch Points
Mardi’s work and how she got her start.  1:30
The level of support available to post-secondary students.  5:00
Peer support – then and now.  8:50
Looking for a connection.  15:40
Key factors that contribute to homelessness in young adults.  21:10
Learning to maintain independence.  26:40
Education vs experience.  32:10
How to get involved.  39:00  

Mardi recently founded the Lived Experience Lab, a by-youth, for-youth consulting firm to leverage the principle of co-design within the youth wellness system. 

I encourage you to reach out at any time with thoughts or questions. Click here to contact me at your convenience.

Thanks!

Roxanne

Links:
Mardi’s email:  [email protected]
Mardi’s Linkedin: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/mardi-daley-51263ba2

Are there more mental health issues today or are we just more aware of them due to the stigma being lessened, more coverage in the media and more celebrities speaking out about their own mental health struggles? On this episode of Authentic Living with Roxanne, we welcome Mardi Daley who is a Young Adult Peer Specialist.

Mardi is a person with lived experience of the complexities of homelessness and mental illness. With a permanent smile and contagious laugh, she considers herself an anomaly within the system, determined to impact multi-level change by advocating for holistic youth engagement.

Mardi’s work and how she got her start. 1:30

Mardi recently founded the Lived Experience Lab, a by-youth, for-youth consulting firm to leverage the principle of co-design within the youth wellness system.

I encourage you to reach out at any time with thoughts or questions. Thanks!

Roxanne

Mardi’s email: [email protected]

Many of us have experienced the feeling of being alone, but can you imagine the fear of being alone in the water in the dark of night and critically injured?  On this episode of Authentic Living with Roxanne, we are joined by Resiliency Expert, Trent Theroux. 

Trent is an inspirational speaker who talks to conferences and companies about leadership's role in the Organization's Heartbeat.  Trent is also a Chief Financial Officer, a graduate school professor, an author, and an endurance athlete.  According to well-placed sources he is a passionate lover and after an accident which left him paralyzed, he created a foundation to provide durable medical goods for those with spinal cord injuries.

Authentic Touch Points
The accident that changed my life.  5:00
The Rescue.  16:05
Then I woke up.  21:50
The List.  24.20
When the feeling returns.  28:00
How my story helps me train others.  33.45
Back in the water.  41.10
A passion to help others.  50:15 

Trent was alone in the dark waters of Narragansett Bay touching what he thinks is an exposed rib. Seconds earlier a motorboat ran him over, severing all the major muscles on the left side of his back and carved out five pieces of his spine, leaving him paralyzed. Lying in a hospital bed unable to feel his legs, Trent creates a list of ten things he pledges to accomplish in his life. The first: walk again. 

The List, as Trent comes to call it, ranges from physical to emotional challenges and includes completing an Ironman. Follow Trent’s inspiring, humorous and touching journey from dark waters to the doorsteps of the Ironman.

I encourage you to reach out at any time with thoughts or questions. Click here to contact me at your convenience.

Thanks!

Roxanne

Links:
Trent’s website:  https://trenttheroux.com
Trent’s email:  [email protected]