The Over|Thinking Podcast

In this episode of the Overthinking Podcast, inspired by John Lennon's 'Imagine,' host Jamie Andrews, cohost Julien and guest Matthew discuss the profound impact of mental health stigma. Matthew shares his personal experiences with General Anxiety Disorder and depression, emphasizing the importance of seeking help without shame. The episode encourages listeners to envision a world where mental health is openly addressed and supported, advocating for improved mental health services and coverage. Listeners are urged to seek assistance, maintain a positive outlook, and find hope in their mental health journey.

In this episode, we follow Clark's journey of living in institutions after a car accident in 2010, which led to brain and spine injuries. He discusses his experiences in various hospitals, drug rehabs, and psych wards, emphasizing the challenges and benefits of institutionalization. Clark reflects on managing his struggles, finding purpose, and advocating for oneself while sharing insights on wellness and recovery.

The power of overcoming mental health challenges is a transformative journey that demonstrates resilience, courage, and perseverance in the face of adversity. Our conversation with a fellow peer supporter and mental health coach, Blair Mann, showcases the human spirit's ability to rise above obstacles, embrace vulnerability, and seek growth through healing and self-discovery, relating that we all have the power to choose who we want to be!

Our Over|Thinking guest and Recovery College Peer Support Specialist Onika Dainty says “I AM Bipolar”. It is an identify she proudly wears, one that she has ‘earned’ through her own tremendous struggle and lived experience of Bipolar disorder.

Listen, learn, understand as Onika shares what it feels like to BE Bipolar in her unique, power-packed no-holds-barred style.

Here Without You: Part 2

Our two part series on grief concludes. When someone dearly loved, dearly close is no more. This is what Deanna Joyce, our guest for this two-part series on Grief shares. Through the lens of her own grievous experience with losing someone whom she dearly loved – her mother.

Here Without You:

Grief. Lots of it going around during these pandemic times. How to deal with it? How to relate? How to prepare for the unpreparable? How to support? How to get past? Or get through? When someone dearly loved, dearly close is no more. This is what Deanna Joyce, our guest for this two-part series on Grief shares. Through the lens of her own grievous experience with losing someone whom she dearly loved – her mother.

Social Anxiety. Am I worthy? Why do people reject me? I must not be a good person. But am I bad? Myriad masks. Are they working? Compulsively negative thought patterns. Trying to solve problems that we are creating for ourselves in our minds. Which lead to more problems. TORN!

Recovery College Wellness Centre Summer Co-op student Martin Luciani-Noli takes us deep into his mind and his struggle with social anxiety. And how he has learnt to cope more effectively.

Anxiety. Crawling in our skin. Consuming. Confusing. Debilitating. So much a part of many of us that we think it is normal even as it as it drags us down. If you’ve experienced anxiety you will be able to relate to our Over|Thinking guest for this episode – Christian-Ann Silveri. A student of Recovery College at CMHA Durham, Christian-Ann bravely, vulnerably shares her lifelong struggle with anxiety and how she is beginning to successfully manage this very common, challenging  condition.

In this episode of Over|Thinking we’ve turned the tables on host Jamie Andrews. In a candid, no-holds-barred conversation with Peer Support Specialist Candace Singh that gets raw in places, Jamie reflects on his struggle through the darkness of depression and his Recovery journey toward meaning and fulfillment.

Learn all about the Over|Thinking podcast, a monthly look at mental health from the perspective of individuals with lived experience.  Brought to you by CMHA Durham's Recovery College Wellness Centre.