In this powerful episode of DCO Discourse, Vijay talks with master's student Tristan, Dr. Monica Sesma-Vazquez, and Dr. Tara Collins, academic researchers involved in a study looking at queer callers in crisis line settings.

On this week’s episode of DCO Discourse… Caitlin Plant is joined by her brother, a teacher with six years of experience, to explore how parents can prepare for back-to-school season with intention. Using added insights from a Psychology Today article, also titled Back-to-School Parenting (https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/a-different-kind-of-therapy/202408/back-to-school-parenting), they explore strategies for building excitement in your kids, suggestions for connecting with teachers and school administrators, share tips for where to start with back-to-school prep, and more. To connect with support related to this episode, or for anything else going on in your life, please visit www.dcontario.org/locations to find your nearest Member Centre. Many of our centres operate 24/7. If you have feedback or future content requests, please use the following link: https://forms.gle/iG2JiZL7AMyiFhY46.

This week on DCO Discourse, host Christina Droumtsekas is joined by Caitlin Plant to talk about the hidden emotional weight of summer. From FOMO and disrupted routines to grief triggers and social media comparison, we’re holding space for the parts of summer no one talks about. Summer is often portrayed as a season of joy, sunshine, and connection—but for many, it can be a time of stress, pressure, and unexpected loneliness. We also explore what summer looks like for parents—especially single parents—who are working and juggling the pressure to create memorable experiences for their kids while holding everything together. We are here to remind listeners: your summer doesn’t have to look a certain way to be meaningful. If summer has ever left you feeling disconnected, overwhelmed, or out of sync—you’re not alone. Tune in for a gentle, honest conversation about permission, presence, and self-care. To connect with support related to this episode, or for anything else going on in your life, please visit www.dcontario.org/locations to find your nearest Member Centre. Many of our centres operate 24/7. If you have feedback or future content requests, please use the following link: https://forms.gle/o8yUPMss6wo8dP1X8."

References:

WellNest article by Zainib Abdullah:

Psychology Today article:

This week on DCO Discourse, podcast host Christina Droumtsekas, is speaking about reimagining self-care—not as bubble baths or luxury escapes, but as everyday survival.

To connect with support related to this episode, or for anything else going on in your life, please visit www.dcontario.org/locations to find your nearest Member Centre. Many of our centres operate 24/7. Thank you for joining us, and we hope this episode encourages you to continue the conversation. If you have feedback or future content requests, please use the following link: https://forms.gle/o8yUPMss6wo8dP1X8

In this powerful episode of DCO Discourse, Vijay talks with Dr. Michael Woodford and Dr. Tin Vo, two academic researchers involved in Thriving On Campus, an Ontario-wide study of 2SLGBTQ+ university students’ experiences, wellbeing, and academic development.

The discussion centered on the "Thriving on Campus" project, a comprehensive study examining LGBTQ+ students' experiences in Ontario universities, highlighting its unique scope and commitment to fostering change through research. The conversation explored various aspects of the project, including intersectionality challenges, mixed-methods findings, knowledge mobilization efforts, and the importance of socially responsive program design for LGBTQ+ students. The discussion concluded with an optimistic outlook on the future of LGBTQ+ research in Canada, emphasizing the strong support for equity-focused research and the current safety of trans rights in the country.

This week, in a miniature solo episode, Caitlin Plant, Director of Operations at Distress and Crisis Ontario, shares some research on parenting over the summer. Specifically, this episode explores strategies to support their summer experience including trying new things, fostering supportive relationships, providing opportunities for learning, managing screen time, and encouraging boredom. The resources used in this episode are as follows:

Boosting Student Well-being Over the Summer: https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/creative-development/202506/boosting-student-well-being-over-the-summer

To connect with support related to this episode, or for anything else going on in your life, please visit www.dcontario.org/locations to find your nearest Member Centre. Many of our centres operate 24/7. Thank you for joining us, and we hope this episode encourages you to continue the conversation. If you have feedback or future content requests, please use the following link: https://forms.gle/o8yUPMss6wo8dP1X8.

In this powerful episode of DCO Discourse, Co-hosts Vijay Moonilal and Caitlin Plant, talk about the experience of coming out to wrap a bow around the end of Pride month.

In this powerful episode of DCO Discourse, host Christina Droumtsekas, and guest advocate Regan Roberts shed light on the lived experience of traumatic brain injury (TBI) during Brain Injury Awareness Week. Roberts, a student intern, writer, and survivor of a life-altering car accident in 2021, shares her deeply personal journey—from a seven-day coma and relearning basic functions to a delayed diagnosis nearly two years later.

Drawing from her blog post "Living with Hidden Damage," Roberts explores the challenges of navigating life with an invisible injury. She discusses the emotional toll, workplace struggles, misdiagnosis, and how TBI impacts identity and mental health—especially for women. The episode also highlights systemic gaps in healthcare and calls for more trauma-informed support in medical, social, and workplace settings.

This episode is a moving call to action—for better diagnosis, compassionate care, and a deeper understanding of living with hidden damage.

Link to Blogpost: https://www.dcontario.org/brain-injury-awareness-month/

To connect with support related to this episode, or for anything else going on in your life, please visit www.dcontario.org/locations to find your nearest Member Centre. Many of our centres operate 24/7. Thank you for joining us, and we hope this episode encourages you to continue the conversation. If you have feedback or future content requests, please use the following link: https://forms.gle/o8yUPMss6wo8dP1X8

In this second of the 2 part series, episode of DCO Discourse for Men's Mental Health Awareness Month, host Christina Droumtsekas sits down with registered psychotherapist Carlton Brown to explore the

Resources:

Alan Jenkins (1990), Invitations to Responsibility: the Therapeutic Engagement of Men

Daniel Goleman (2020), Emotional Intelligence: Why it Can Matter More Than IQ. New

Steven Stosny (2008), Love Without Hurt: Turn Your Resentful, Angry, or Abusive

Patricia Love and Steven Stosny (2007), How to Improve Your Marriage Without Talking

Terrence Real (2024), I Don’t Want to Talk About It: Overcoming the Secret Legacy of

Terrence Real (2007), The New Rules of Marriage: What you Need to Know to Make

In this 2 part series, episode of DCO Discourse for Men's Mental Health Awareness Month, host Christina Droumtsekas sits down with registered psychotherapist Carlton Brown to explore the unique challenges men face regarding mental health. Together, they unpack how masculinity, stigma, and silence can impact men's emotional well-being and how therapy can be a space for healing, vulnerability, and growth.

From societal expectations around "being strong" to the importance of male role models in mental health, this conversation offers professional insight and compassionate reflection. Whether you're a man navigating your own mental health, a support to someone who is, or simply curious about how we can do better by men, this episode invites you to listen, reflect, and help de-stigmatize men's mental health. To connect with support related to this episode, or for anything else going on in your life, please visit www.dcontario.org/locations to find your nearest Member Centre. Many of our centres operate 24/7. Thank you for joining us, and we hope this episode encourages you to continue the conversation. If you have feedback or future content requests, please use the following link: https://forms.gle/o8yUPMss6wo8dP1X8."

Resources:

Libby Lee Colman, Arthur D. Colman (1981), Earth Father/Sky Father: the Changing Concept of Fathering. Prentice Hall

Alan Jenkins (1990), Invitations to Responsibility: the Therapeutic Engagement of Men who are Violent and Abusive. Dulwich Centre Publications, Adelaide, South Australia

Daniel Goleman (2020), Emotional Intelligence: Why it Can Matter More Than IQ. New York: Bantam Books

Steven Stosny (2008), Love Without Hurt: Turn Your Resentful, Angry, or Abusive Relationship into a Compassionate, Loving One. New York: Hachette Go Books

Patricia Love and Steven Stosny (2007), How to Improve Your Marriage Without Talking About It. New York: Broadway Books

Terrence Real (2024), I Don’t Want to Talk About It: Overcoming the Secret Legacy of Male Depression. New York: Scribner

Terrence Real (2007), The New Rules of Marriage: What you Need to Know to Make Love Work. New York: Ballantine