On this special episode we dysh with wilderness photographer Jillian Brown about her journey. In her early 20’s Jillian packed up her things and moved to B.C. to follow her passion and meet her partner. For five and half years she was mentally, physically and emotionally abused. With the help of a stranger she picked up her life and moved into a tent in the woods. She sought out counselling and was diagnosed with PTSD. She decided to redefine PTSD as Perseverance, Trust, Strength and Determination.

Guest Info

https://www.jillianabrownphotography.com/

Instagram - @jillianbrownphotography

Websites and Social Media

https://daintydysh.com/

The DaintyDysh Podcast Instagram - @daintydyshpodcast

https://onikadainty.com/

Onika's Instagram - @bestofonika

Onika's Twitter - @OnikaDainty

[email protected]

On this special episode of AKoC I invite one of Bell Let’s Talk Faces on Mental Illness, Anita Manley to dysh on her journey of tragedy to triumph. Since her 20thbirthday Anita has been hospitalized seven times. After separating from her husband Anita started experiencing delusions which became her reality. She would eventually be admitted to The Royal, one of the country’s foremost mental health facilities. During her stay there she would have a lightbulb moment in therapy that turned her life around.

Websites and Social Media

https://daintydysh.com/

The DaintyDysh Podcast Instagram - @daintydyshpodcast

https://onikadainty.com/

Onika's Instagram - @bestofonika

Onika's Twitter - @OnikaDainty

[email protected]

On today’s episode we dysh on electronic mental health and how it can act as an alternative to traditional methods. I talk about my decision to use e-mental health tools such as apps in an attempt to take over my mental health treatment. No longer do we have to sit and wait for mental health care because the information is now available via the internet, social media and mobile apps. I review the free apps that I have been using for the last few weeks that have made a difference in my mental wellness.

Resources

Top 10 Mental Health Apps

Websites and Social Media

https://daintydysh.com/

The DaintyDysh Podcast Instagram - @daintydyshpodcast

https://onikadainty.com/

Onika's Instagram - @bestofonika

Onika's Twitter - @OnikaDainty

[email protected]

On today’s episode I dysh on sexual assault with sex educator Nadine Thornhill. Because of my history with sexual assault I take the opportunity to ask her all the burning questions on my mind. She talks about the vulnerability of the survivors and how sexual assault informs their understanding of relationships, consent and their own sexuality. I open up about the more violent aspects of my rapes and the challenges I have taking back my sexuality. Nadine gives me advice on how to reconnect with pleasure.

Websites and Social Media

https://daintydysh.com/

The DaintyDysh Podcast Instagram - @daintydyshpodcast

https://onikadainty.com/

Onika's Instagram - @bestofonika

Onika's Twitter - @OnikaDainty

[email protected]

On this week’s episode we dysh with my friend J.J. about his mental health journey. Coming from the Middle East to the Western World was challenging. He felt like he was living two different lives, wearing a mask and trying to live up to everyone’s expectation. He discusses working in an environment rooted in toxic masculinity and the effect it had on him mentally and physically. After having suicidal thoughts and being an in-patient at CAMH, J.J. took time to focus on himself and learn about self-care.

Websites and Social Media

https://daintydysh.com/

The DaintyDysh Podcast Instagram - @daintydyshpodcast

https://onikadainty.com/

Onika's Instagram - @bestofonika

Onika's Twitter - @OnikaDainty

[email protected]

On this week’s episode we dysh on money matters and how it effects your mental health. We talk about compulsive spending and how my spending increases when I’m manic. I share how I hoard all my junk in pretty boxes. J.R. asks the question are we using money to hide the ugly in our lives? I talk about the challenges of living on disability. We discuss financial enabling and how unhealthy this pattern of behaviour is. I share the lengths I go to to avoid creditors and J.R. disapproves.

Websites and Social Media

https://daintydysh.com/

https://onikadainty.com/

Onika's Instagram - @bestofonika

Onika's Twitter - @OnikaDainty

[email protected]

On today’s episode we dysh on postpartum depression with my little sister Bianca. She shares what it was like to discover she was 18-years-old and pregnant. She opens up about the anxiety she felt closer and closer to the birth. She talks about the challenges of living in a West Indian household while trying to be a teen mom. She reflects on feeling the weight of having a new born and the fear of not being good enough. She talks about using marijuana to cope with the anxiety

Guest Info

Bianca's Instagram - @thatmuvabadxo

Websites and Social Media

https://daintydysh.com/

https://onikadainty.com/

Onika's Instagram - @bestofonika

Onika's Twitter - @OnikaDainty

[email protected]

On this week’s episode we dysh on codependency and how unhealthy it is. When you are codependent you have an unhealthy need to be needed. J.R. and I take a codependency test and the results are surprising. I talk about the poor communication in my family growing up and the profound effect it had on my adulthood. What are the characteristics of a codependent and do you have them? We discuss the effects codependency has on a person’s mental health. Are women more codependent than men?

Websites and Social Media

https://daintydysh.com/

https://onikadainty.com/

Onika's Instagram - @bestofonika

Onika's Twitter - @OnikaDainty

[email protected]

On this week’s AKOC we dysh on Bipolar Affective Disorder 1 with my friend Shelby. At 17-years-old she became erratic and out of control. Shelby refused to take the anti-psychotic Lithium because she didn’t want to alter her brain chemistry. She was given a choice either go on the anti-psychotic or be committed. She shares the moment she realized she was in the mental health system. Though it’s still a struggle she believes her Bipolar has made her stronger, more self-aware and confident.

Websites and Social Media

https://daintydysh.com/

https://onikadainty.com/

Onika's Instagram - @bestofonika

Onika's Twitter - @OnikaDainty

[email protected]

On this week’s episode we dysh on effective communication and why it’s important to have this life skill. I share my struggles with hearing vs. listening and how I try to listen with intention. We discuss non-verbal and verbal communication and how both are equally valuable on conversation. We examine talking to vs. talking at and the concept of mansplaining. We discuss ineffective communication in the mental health care system. We examine the role technology has played on modern communication.

Websites and Social Media

https://daintydysh.com/

https://onikadainty.com/

Onika's Instagram - @bestofonika

Onika's Twitter - @OnikaDainty

[email protected]