Living Fully

On this episode, host Katherine Hurtig talks with Stefan De Villiers, registered social worker about domestic abuse experienced by men. Stefan talks about the common misunderstandings and negative beliefs people have about this issue.

The episode explores the various forms of abuse, some of which may not be so obvious, and how they impact a person's mental well-being. From emotional and psychological, to more visible types of abuse, we aim to break down stereotypes and promote a better understanding of the challenges men face in such situations. Join us for a conversation that aims to challenge assumptions and encourage a more open discussion about domestic abuse.

"Living Fully" is not a substitute or alternative for professional care or treatment. 

Calgary Counselling Centre and Counselling Alberta provide effective counselling for anyone in Alberta with no wait list and no financial barriers.

For help across Canada and the United States, call 211. If you are outside Canada and the U.S., seek help from your general medical practitioner.

The rising rates of anxiety, depression, and suicide among men, clearly indicate that men are struggling with their mental health. These struggles stem from a variety of factors that require attention if we are to achieve meaningful change. To further address these concerns, we present the third instalment of our four-part series on men's mental health.

In this episode, Che Burnett, a registered social worker, explores the issues men face and provides insights into enhancing resilience and fostering adaptive coping strategies.

"Living Fully" is not a substitute or alternative for professional care or treatment. 

Calgary Counselling Centre and Counselling Alberta provide effective counselling for anyone in Alberta with no wait list and no financial barriers.

For help across Canada and the United States, call 211. If you are outside Canada and the U.S., seek help from your general medical practitioner.

Everyone can experience a range of mental health problems, but they often differ in how comfortable they are discussing their feelings. The societal expectations around what it means to be a man, and the stigma around reaching out for help continues to pose challenges. To help address these issues, we’re focusing on men’s mental health. we continue with part two of our four-part men’s mental health mini-series.

On this episode, Katherine Hurtig talks with Curtis Bader, registered psychologist, about men's mental health and the role that relationships play in it. They explore the societal pressures and expectations placed on men to be strong and independent, leading to a reluctance to seek help. The conversation explores the impact of these expectations on men's mental health and the importance of normalizing vulnerability and open communication in building healthier relationships and seeking support for mental health issues.

Statistics and information shared in this episode:

• https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/healthy-living/suicide-canada-key-statistics-infographic.html
• The Daily — Survey on COVID-19 and Mental Health, February to May 2021 (statcan.gc.ca)
• Mental Illness and Addiction: Facts and Statistics | CAMH
• Autism spectrum disorder: Highlights from the 2019 Canadian health survey on children and youth - Canada.ca

"Living Fully" is not a substitute or alternative for professional care or treatment. 

Calgary Counselling Centre and Counselling Alberta provide effective counselling for anyone in Alberta with no wait list and no financial barriers.

For help across Canada and the United States, call 211. If you are outside Canada and the U.S., seek help from your general medical practitioner.

Men all over the world are struggling with their mental health. Anxiety, depression, and suicide rates among men continue to rise. There are many underlying factors to these challenges that need to be addressed in order for meaningful change to happen. To help address these issues we’re focusing on men’s mental health. For the next four episodes we’ll be talking about the challenges men are experiencing.

On this episode of Living Fully, Katherine Hurtig talks with registered clinical social worker, Stephen Walker, and registered psychologist, Joel Zimmerman about the concept of masculinity and how it can impact mental health.

Read more about masculinity and mental health on our blog.

"Living Fully" is not a substitute or alternative for professional care or treatment. 

Calgary Counselling Centre and Counselling Alberta provide effective counselling for anyone in Alberta with no wait list and no financial barriers.

For help across Canada and the United States, call 211. If you are outside Canada and the U.S., seek help from your general medical practitioner.

When we’re feeling depressed even the most basic, daily activities can feel overwhelming, and the thought of feeling better can seem out of reach. But small, manageable actions, while they may seem insignificant, are the key to helping us feel like ourselves again. Whether it's the simple act of getting out of bed in the morning, or having a shower, taking a walk, or reaching out to a friend, tackling depression is all about building on small successes.  

On this episode of Living Fully, Katherine Hurtig talks with registered social workers, Anna Hemens and Camille Kim about how small actions can have a big impact on our mental health.  

During October 2–8, Calgary Counselling Centre and Counselling Alberta encourage you to check in with your mental health through a short, anonymous, and free online quiz at areyoufeelingok.com. Check in with how you’re feeling and get help if you need it. The quiz takes about three minutes and is available in English, French, Spanish, Punjabi, Chinese, and Ukrainian. 

• The exercise study Anna mentioned

"Living Fully" is not a substitute or alternative for professional care or treatment. 

Calgary Counselling Centre and Counselling Alberta provide effective counselling for anyone in Alberta with no wait list and no financial barriers.

For help across Canada and the United States, call 211. If you are outside Canada and the U.S., seek help from your general medical practitioner.

Depression and anxiety are different, but it’s quite common to experience the feelings of anxiety and depression at the same time.

On this episode of Living Fully, Katherine Hurtig talks with registered psychologist, Wardah Elahi, about the differences between these two mental health concerns and why they often show up together. Learn tips and strategies to manage the symptoms of anxiety and depression.

During October 2–8, Calgary Counselling Centre and Counselling Alberta encourage you to check in with your mental health through a short, anonymous, and free online quiz at areyoufeelingok.com. Check in with how you’re feeling and get help if you need it. The quiz takes about three minutes and is available in English, French, Spanish, Punjabi, Chinese, and Ukrainian.

"Living Fully" is not a substitute or alternative for professional care or treatment. 

Calgary Counselling Centre and Counselling Alberta provide effective counselling for anyone in Alberta with no wait list and no financial barriers.

For help across Canada and the United States, call 211. If you are outside Canada and the U.S., seek help from your general medical practitioner.

Boundaries play a crucial role in maintaining our well-being and creating healthy connections whether it’s with our partner, family, and work, or even with ourselves. Setting boundaries is more than just saying 'no' to things that don't serve us. It’s about saying 'yes' to our own needs.

On this episode of Living Fully, host Katherine Hurtig talks with registered psychologist, Curtis Bader, and registered social worker, Anna Hemens, about setting healthy boundaries and the impact they can have on our lives and relationships.

"Living Fully" is not a substitute or alternative for professional care or treatment. 

Calgary Counselling Centre and Counselling Alberta provide effective counselling for anyone in Alberta with no wait list and no financial barriers.

For help across Canada and the United States, call 211. If you are outside Canada and the U.S., seek help from your general medical practitioner.

Even the hardest working parents with the best intentions make mistakes sometimes. As humans, making mistakes is inevitable, but it’s important to give ourselves compassion when we mess up. Having self-compassion can improve your mental health and the relationships you have with your children.  

On this episode of Living Fully, host Katherine Hurtig talks with registered social worker, Denis Sushkin, about the concept of self-compassion and parenting. They discuss the benefits of having compassion and kindness for yourself and how it can affect your children. They also explain the different techniques you can use to practice self-compassion and how to model the behaviour for your kids. 

"Living Fully" is not a substitute or alternative for professional care or treatment. 

Calgary Counselling Centre and Counselling Alberta provide effective counselling for anyone in Alberta with no wait list and no financial barriers.

For help across Canada and the United States, call 211. If you are outside Canada and the U.S., seek help from your general medical practitioner.

Anxiety is a common feeling that most of us experience at some point in our lives. However, for people who struggle with anxiety, it can feel like it takes over their life and stops them from doing the things they enjoy. We experience anxiety when we overestimate potential risks and underestimate our ability to handle them. With the help of different coping strategies, instead of being something negative, anxiety can be an opportunity to learn new things about yourself. 

On this episode of Living Fully, host Katherine Hurtig talks with registered social worker, Sarah Rosenfeld, about managing anxiety. They talk about what anxiety is, how it can impact the different areas of your life, and how to manage and reframe your mindset around worry. 

"Living Fully" is not a substitute or alternative for professional care or treatment. 

Calgary Counselling Centre and Counselling Alberta provide effective counselling for anyone in Alberta with no wait list and no financial barriers.

For help across Canada and the United States, call 211. If you are outside Canada and the U.S., seek help from your general medical practitioner.

Back-to-school is an exciting time for a lot of students, but it can also be the cause of added stress. As the new school year begins, it’s essential to address the challenges and anxieties that can occur for both children and parents. 

On this episode of Living Fully, host Katherine Hurtig talks with registered social worker, Nicole Ward, about how stress and anxiety can show up for parents and kids during the back-to-school season. They talk about different techniques and strategies you can use to help make the transition easier for your family, as well as general tips to help manage anxiety. 

Download a copy of the tips for later.

"Living Fully" is not a substitute or alternative for professional care or treatment. 

Calgary Counselling Centre and Counselling Alberta provide effective counselling for anyone in Alberta with no wait list and no financial barriers.

For help across Canada and the United States, call 211. If you are outside Canada and the U.S., seek help from your general medical practitioner.