Resources

Videos
Below are two TED videos that I find to be helpful for individuals who are looking to deepen their understanding of depression, anxiety, trauma, and mental wellness.

1. What is depression? with Helen M. Farrell

• A clear and easy-to-understand explanation of Depression

2. How childhood trauma affects health across a lifetime with Nadine Burke Harris

• A very powerful TedTalk about the impacts of childhood trauma on a person’s health. Pediatrician Nadine Burke Harris explains that the repeated stress of abuse, neglect and parents struggling with mental health or substance abuse has real, tangible effects on the development of the brain.

Books
Here is a list of books that I find helpful for exploring your feelings and learning about practical tools. Visit your local Toronto Public Library branch to borrow a copy or click on the links below to purchase your own.

1. Emotional First Aid: Healing Rejection, Guilt, Failure, and Other Everyday Hurts by Guy Winch
2. Stress Less, Live More: How Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Can Help You Live a Busy yet Balanced Life by Richard Blonna
3. Visiting Feelings by Lauren Rubenstein

Organizations
I have also compiled a list of helpful organizations that serve Toronto residents who are seeking help with their mental health. You can visit each organization’s website and decide if they may be able to offer you some additional support.

1. Child Development Institute

A children’s mental health agency in Toronto, who have an established track record of success in children’s mental health and family violence. They offer programs for children ages 0-12, youth ages 13-18, and their families across four streams: Early Intervention Services, Family Violence Services, the Integra Program and Healthy Child Development.

2. Hong Fook Mental Health Association

This agency is a leading ethno-cultural community mental health agency with a consolidated, culturally competent team who are focused on serving Asian communities. This is the only agency in Ontario that employs staff who deliver direct service in Cambodian, Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese languages.

3. Toronto Mental Health & Addictions Supportive Housing Network

This organization provides coordinated access to a number of services within a large network of Toronto service providers through one application and intake assessment process. In addition to providing housing support, they also provide mental health support if needed.