Storyvoice

We are closing down submissions, newsletters and social media activity for the moment as we secure new funding to maintain what we have begun with the same standard that we have achieved. You will be able to continue to browse our site and read our stories. We will also make some improvements to the site along with new additions. We will not be accepting any new submissions during this period.

You can still sign up to our newsletter to be updated about our continuation. You can continue to email us at [email protected] with questions you might have or to express your interest in being a future contributor. We will be reaching out to you in the near future. Take the best of care, and we look forward to the re-launch soon.

Anthony Harrison
Project Leader

At this time of year we are all feeling tired. Reach out to CALCS if you need extra support and accommodations for issues that you struggled with in the past semester.
“We have just one hope that we are holding onto which is our battery of life. The 20% battery sign is the indication of just that one hope to continue everyday,” Selonia says. To see her full work on Storyvoice use the link in the bio.

This week we are featuring some of the new pieces on Storyvoice and exploring art forms beyond images. Of her poem, Angelynne says, “I want others to know what's behind the person who is always laughing and smiling”

To read the whole poem checkout Storyvoice. Link in bio.

Grief by Mehtap Mertdogan

“Losing you was the most unbearable pain that I have ever felt in my life! Now I understand that it was not broken glass, but the wings of a bird who is flying into the infinity! Yet I just feel the thorns of the wings, instead of the softness of the feathers!
Loosing myself in the darkness of the sky or trying to search the light with my moist eyes!” says Mehtap. See her full story on Storyvoice.

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Almost all of us have lost a loved one in our lives and grieved. The grieving process is very individualized; everyone processes and experiences grief differently. Some people feel better after a few weeks but others need years to feel better; there is no correct timeline for healing.
It’s important to acknowledge grief and not to repress or ignore it.

The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health notes, “Complicated grief occurs when grief worsens over time and we feel unable to move forward or to resume our daily life and activities and functioning. Some symptoms of complicated grief include: denial of the loss/death; imagining the loved one is alive and/or searching for the person; profound longing; avoiding anything that remind us of the loss. It is important to talk to a mental health professional if you experience any signs of major depression or complicated grief. It can be helpful to remind ourselves that our loved one wanted us to move forward and not to get trapped into our suffering and pain and loneliness.”

Artwork: The Day after New Years by Sidia Atabales-Schnitzler is an artwork about finding contentment. Read about their work on Storyvoice.

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Health Connect Ontario allows you to access safe, high-quality care and avoid unnecessary visits to the emergency room. This service is an easy way to get connected to care you or your loved ones need over the phone.

While Health Connect Ontario does not replace your health care provider, you can call 811 for assistance with a variety of health-related questions and concerns. Such as:

You are concerned about your mental health and want to speak with a professional.
You are feeling unwell and unsure what to do about it.
You have a headache that won’t go away.
You wish to speak to someone about a loved one with dementia.
You need information about healthy eating.
You noticed a rash that wasn’t there the day before.
You recently had surgery and have a question about how to take care of yourself after the operation.
You are seeking information about health services in your area.
You have a chronic condition like diabetes and want advice on how to manage it at home.

Healing by Priscilla Koopman

“...it’s far more common than people realize and what helped me deal with my trauma immensely was that I had a profound experience one evening at a concert. I broke down crying due to a trauma being relived from a trigger in one of the songs that I incidentally listened to while being assaulted. This woman in front of me, a total stranger, just turned to me and gave me such a deep big hug that filled me with comfort, warmth and love that I realized there is more than pain out there for me.” says Priscilla. See her full write up on Storyvoice.

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When people experience an unexpected and devastating event, it sometimes can have a serious long term effect. People with this kind of experience can have nightmares or flashbacks, or they may experience emotional numbness. They may relive the traumatic situation over and over. When these symptoms persist for longer than a month it may be diagnosed as post-traumatic stress disorder.

The Canadian Mental Health Association notes, “Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is one of several conditions known as an anxiety disorder. This kind of medical disorder affects approximately 1 in 10 people. They are among the most common of mental health problems.”

Artwork: Let It Go by Jean Fode is an artwork about letting go and accepting ourselves. Read about their work on Storyvoice.

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Canadian Mental Health Association
ontario.cmha.ca

As a nationwide, voluntary organization, the Canadian Mental Health Association promotes the mental health of Canadians. With branches all over the country they can help put you in touch with mental health professionals to help with treatment.

Am I thin enough yet? by Amberley Cohen

“I have struggled with Depression, Anxiety and a warped self image my whole life. Weight has been among one of the top things I have had a constant battle with. As a former self harm survivor from the ages of 8-24. Art has become a healthy coping mechanism. It’s important we share these dark parts of ourselves so that the understanding of mental health will continue to grow.” says Amberley. See her full work up on Storyvoice.

Eating disorders are about more than just food. They can be about control and can be intertwined with a person's self-esteem and identity. A lack of a support network, a tendency towards perfectionism or low self esteem can put a person at higher risk for developing an eating disorder.

Physical health problems can result from anorexia, bulimia or binge-eating. These diseases are complicated and often need treatment from several health care professionals.

If you are, or know, someone dealing with an eating disorder, consider taking a look at the resources on Storyvoice. Link in bio

Artwork: Quixote 2022 by CL Fisher about attitudes towards mental health in the arts. Read about her work on Storyvoice.

The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) is Canada's largest mental health teaching hospital and one of the world's leading research centres in its field. CAMH conducts groundbreaking research, provides excellent training to health care professionals and scientists, develops innovative health promotion and prevention strategies, and advocates on public policy issues at the municipal, provincial and federal levels of government.

Hope by Gina Bernales Martin

“Those who are facing challenges with mental health think they’re happy. However, that is not the case. They struggle through the challenges. They get hurt along with those around them. However, they try every possible action to find a solution on how to save their life without hurting themselves,” says Gina. See her full work up on Storyvoice.

Addiction, it’s more than enjoying your favorite TV show, but it can be hard to define. The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health notes addiction involves:
• Craving
• Loss of Control of amount or frequency of use
• Compulsion to use
• Use despite Consequences
If you are, or know, someone dealing with addiction consider the resources on Storyvoice. Link in bio

Artwork: Satellite Comes and Goes by Colleen Zimmerman

The Distress Centres of Greater Toronto provides 24-hour support, 7 days a week to individuals in our community at risk and their most vulnerable. They are Canada’s oldest volunteer delivered crisis, emotional support and su***de prevention + intervention + postvention service agency.
If you or someone you know is having thoughts of su***de, they can help.

Cry for Help by Kamorudeen Aruna

“At first, when I was creating this I didn’t know what any of it meant. All I knew was that, after living through an extremely frightening, emotional and difficult or distressing event, it could result in challenges to functioning or coping normally,” says Kamorudeen. See their full work up on Storyvoice.

Su***de is NOT a bad word. It’s not shameful. It does not define a person.

November 19 is International Survivor of Su***de Day.

If you have survived a su***de attempt, we hope you are able to open up to someone close and receive support.

If you know someone who has survived su***de try to listen with compassion, talk openly with them and shut down stigma.

For resources checkout Storyvoice. Link in bio

Artwork: Indigenous Men’s Mental Health by Mary Ann

The Mood Disorders Association of Ontario offers free support and recovery programs to people across Ontario living with depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder. They provide drop-in peer support groups, recovery programs, family and youth clinical support, early intervention for mood disorders and psychosis, and online tools focused on wellness and recovery.

Brighten The Heart By: Jinyang Wang
“Sun exposure is an underappreciated and beneficial thing. I think you will agree with me if you do it seriously... Protecting mental health and reversing serious psychological problems is very difficult. But we can also start with the smallest things and make progress even a little bit.” says Jinyang. See more of their work on Storyvoice.

With our clocks falling back an hour to standard time don’t forget to get outside and soak up a little bit of sun.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a kind of depression that is related to the changing seasons. It normally starts in the fall and ends in the spring, and symptoms include low energy and feeling moody. Treatment can include light therapy and counseling. It tends to be more common in people living further north where days get quite short in the winter.
If you’re dealing with SAD and need more resources checkout Storyvoice. Link in bio

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is a brain disorder that affects how you pay attention, sit still, and control your behavior. It happens in children and teens and can continue through adulthood. It can be difficult to stay focused in a traditional classroom and can create barriers to learning.

See local wellness resources at Storyvoice. Link in bio.

Stress can affect anyone, and especially as we get closer to the end of the semester, you might be starting to feel stressed out about your studies, your job, or certain things you’ve been dealing with in your personal life. It’s important to remember that you’re not alone. Remember to take some time for yourself, and to connect with others when you need a helping hand.

If you’re looking for new ways to enhance your overall wellness, consider joining a Wellness Workshop with CALCS. The next student-led virtual workshop is on November 7th, on the subject of Mastering Mindfulness. See the resources on Storyvoice.

Thank you to Kai Hart for submitting the artwork titled Urban Grit – Bridges. See the full piece and Kai’s story on Storyvoice.

Hopefully someone can relate to having a hard time coming out of their shell or just getting out of bed in the morning…” by Anonymous. See more of their work on Storyvoice, link in bio.

“During the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, I lived alone and felt very isolated, anxious, and scared. The fear of the unknown quickly took a toll on my mental health. Human connection is always so important during these types of moments and to make up for the lack of connection, I turned to art, as that is something that has always grounded and comforted me” says Sara. See more of their work on Storyvoice.

Wellness Together Canada is an online resource for Canadians living at home or abroad. Their mission is to provide high-quality resources for all Canadians— and they are supported by a wide network of organizations, with decades of specialized experience in wellness. From substance use support for older adults, to grief and loss counselling for youth, their partners are prepared to help—whatever the need.

Wellness Together Canada is designed to be used on demand: you get to choose what you need, when you need it. Their services range from basic wellness information, to one-on-one sessions with a counselor, to participating in a community of support. Whatever it is you’re looking for, they can point you towards the best resources out there.

Read more of Chris’s story on Storyvoice. Link in bio.

Are you a student at Centennial College? Share your voice on mental health with us in any creative form. You can post anonymously if you wish.

This week’s featured Story is by Mary Ann on Indigenous Men’s Mental Health. Read more on Storyvoice. Link in bio.

If you have an invisible disability please consider using the CALCS service. They have a team of professional psychotherapists and social workers who can provide brief, solution-focused psychotherapy and counseling to help you address your personal and accessible learning needs and connect you with resources.

Read more of Morsal’s story on the Storyvoice gallery. Link in Bio.