On January 26th 2022, the 12th annual Bell Let’s Talk Day, we’re joining the world’s largest conversation about mental health by releasing three new episodes of our podcast #OurAnxietyStories. This year’s Bell Let’s Talk Day campaign highlights the ways that we can support ourselves and those we care about through actions like listening, being there and talking. Every Canadian can play a part in their communities, workplaces, schools and at home.
To help create positive change, we’re amplifying the voices of award-winning actress and comedian, Mary Walsh, author and psychiatrist, Dr. Margaret Chisolm, and mental health advocate and host of #OurAnxietyStories, John Bateman. Tune in below if you want to hear real people share their stories and learn more about anxiety.
Overcoming Alcohol Addiction and Anxiety with This Hour has 22 Minutes’ Mary Walsh
Mary is an outspoken advocate for mental health and addiction awareness. In this episode of #OurAnxietyStories, Mary reflects on the damaging effects of abusing alcohol as a means to escape, what it’s like feeling like an outsider, and how stigma and a lack of resources can pose significant barriers to support. Mary also gives listeners a glimpse into what life-long recovery looks like, as someone who’s 29 years sober.
Mary Walsh is a Newfoundland actor, writer and comedian, best known for CODCO and This Hour has 22 Minutes. Throughout her career, Mary has received many awards and honorary doctorates, including the Governor General’s Performing Arts Award (GGPAA) for Lifetime Artistic Achievement. Mary is an outspoken advocate for mental health and addiction awareness.
Putting the Host of #OurAnxietyStories John Bateman in the Hot Seat
In this episode of #OurAnxietyStories, podcast host, John Bateman puts himself in the hot seat. In conversation with Registered Clinical Counsellor, Mark Antczak, John discusses his lifelong relationship with anxiety and depression, experimenting with various treatment methods, and the importance of finding the right tools.
John Bateman, Anxiety Canada Champion and host of #OurAnxietyStories, is a mental health advocate passionate about normalizing and destigmatizing the experience of anxiety. He is also a well-known comedian, writer, event host and woodworker based in Salt Spring Island, British Columbia.
Looking at the Full Picture with John Hopkins' Dr. Chisolm
In this episode of #OurAnxietyStories, Dr. Chisolm dives into her personal and professional experiences with anxiety, including what a typical patient seeking treatment can expect when meeting with a psychiatrist. She also explains the John Hopkins’ Perspectives Approach to Psychiatry, a conceptual framework for the proper evaluation and understanding of psychiatric disorders.
Dr. Margaret Chisolm is Vice-Chair for Education, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences; professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences; and professor of Medicine, at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Dr. Chisolm is also the author of “From Survive to Thrive Living your Best Life with Mental Illness”, released in 2021.
Looking for more episodes? Click here to hear more stories and experiences of people from all walks of life, including psychologists, political figures, celebrities, and everyday folks like you and me.
Looking to create positive change, but don’t know where to start?
On Bell Let’s Talk Day, Bell donates 5 cents to Canadian mental health programs for every applicable text, local or long-distance call, tweet or Tik Tok video using #BellLetsTalk, every view of the Bell Let’s Talk Day video on social media, and every use of the Bell Let’s Talk Facebook frame or Snapchat lens. All at no cost to participants beyond what they would normally pay their service provider for online or phone access.
You can also find resources, learn more about some of the organizations providing meaningful mental health supports and services throughout Canada and download the Bell Let’s Talk toolkit to begin your own conversation about mental health at home, school or in the workplace.
Thank you for joining the conversation, supporting those who live with mental illness and learning about their real life experiences on #OurAnxietyStories, the Anxiety Canada Podcast.
#OurAnxietyStories is proud to be affiliated with HeretoHelp, a project of the BC Partners for Mental Health and Addictions Information. The BC Partners are funded by the Provincial Health Services Authority.