You are listening to Radio Totally Normal Toronto on CJRU 1280 AM and cjru.ca in Toronto. Radio Totally Normal Toronto, or RTNT for short, is a voice for community mental health; produced by the members and staff of Progress Place, a mental wellness clubhouse in downtown Toronto.

We are now on episode 22! This month we’re focusing on mental health and the arts.  As information and awareness spreads we are seeing an increasingly holistic approach to mental health; that is looking at physical, mental, emotional and social factors as important parts of someone’s overall health. This episode we spoke with Kelly Straughan from Workman Arts about their work and evolution of the workspace. 

As we will see in this episode, the arts can play an important role in overall mental wellness, providing not only an important outlet for expression but a chance to develop skills and confidence as well.

Some facts about Mental Health and the arts are: 
Drawing, painting, or molding objects from clay has been shown to help people deal with different kinds of trauma. In The Connection Between Art, Healing, and Public Health, Heather L. Stuckey and Jeremy Nobel say that "art helps people express experiences that are too difficult to put into words, such as a diagnosis of cancer."

"Artistic self-expression," they continue, "might contribute to maintenance or reconstruction of a positive identity."

Additionally, a review published in 2014 suggests that individuals with musical training — such as those who learned how to play an instrument — have improved connectivity between the two hemispheres of their brains.

Thank you to all the members and staff of Progress Place who work hard each month to create a recurring episode of Radio Totally Normal Toronto. Special thank you to Kelly Straughan of Workman Arts for coming down to Progress Place to record the interview.

Thank you to our listeners, and please share this episode with your friends and family.  Together we can transition from mental health stigmas to a continued focus on mental health and wellness.
To learn more about RTNT or listen to previous episodes please check out radiototallynormaltoronto.org. We are pleased to announce that the show is now streaming on Spotify, Apple Podcast, and Google Podcast if you search up Radio Totally Normal Toronto.
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Workman Arts: workmanarts.com
RTNT: www.radiototallynormaltoronto.org
Progress Place: ​www.progressplace.org

Radio Totally Normal Toronto, or RTNT for short, is a voice for community mental health; produced by the members and staff of Progress Place, a mental wellness clubhouse in downtown Toronto.

Episode 21 was hosted by RTNT's Mathiaus on August 14th, 2019. This month we’re focusing on mental health in the workplace.  

It is estimated that 1 in 5 Canadians will suffer from mental illness in their life, and billions are estimated to be lost by employers annually as a result, it is always a pertinent topic. 

We'll be hearing from Oliver from the Waterfront BIA. It's great to hear that there are employers that embrace and understand the needs of the mental health community.

We also will hear the audio presentation of Progress Place's transitional employment program. We hear RTNT's Paul introduce Freta, Ali,  Sara and Mariza. If you are interested in Progress Place. 

Thank you to all the members and staff of Progress Place who work hard each month to create a recurring episode of Radio Totally Normal Toronto. Special thank you to Oliver from the Waterfront BIA for being involved in episode 21 of RTNT.

Thank you to our listeners, and please share this episode with your friends and family.  Together we can transition from mental health stigmas to a continued focus on mental health wellness.

To learn more about RTNT or listen to previous episodes please check out our website. We are pleased to announce that the show is now streaming on Spotify, Apple Podcast, and Google Podcast if you search up Radio Totally Normal Toronto.

Waterfront BIA:
www.waterfrontbia.com
RTNT: 
www.radiototallynormaltoronto.org
For more information about Progress Place please visit: 
www.progressplace.org

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Radio Totally Normal Toronto, or RTNT for short, is a voice for community mental health; produced by the members and staff of Progress Place, a mental wellness clubhouse in downtown Toronto.
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Our topic for this month is Mental Health and LGBTQ+. The acronym stands for: lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer, plus. This posted version of the show includes the full version of both interviews. 

Today we’ll be hearing from two wonderful organizations that were kind enough to donate their time during Pride Month to share information about their agencies. First we’ll be hearing from Ronnie of Sherbourne Health and then we’ll be hearing from Chris of the Umbrella Mental Health Network.
The reason we’ve chosen to cover the connection between LGBTQ+ and mental health is not only because of Pride Month, but to address and raise awareness of LGBTQ+ services available in our community. 

According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, LGBTQ+ people may face:

Higher rates of depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive and phobic disorders, suicidality, self-harm, and substance use among LGBTQ+ people

Double the risk for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) than heterosexual people.

Although the community may be considered vulnerable, its important to note that the community has overcome a lot of adversity and displayed resilience to create a space for themselves.

Thank you to all the members and staff of Progress Place who work hard each month to create a recurring episode of Radio Totally Normal Toronto. Special thank you to Ronnie of Sherbourne Health and Chris Shellington of Umbrella Mental Health Network for being involved in episode 20 of RTNT.

Thank you to our listeners, and please share this episode with your friends and family.  Together we can transition from mental health stigmas to a continued focus on mental health wellness.

To learn more about RTNT or listen to previous episodes please check out radiototallynormaltoronto.org. We are pleased to announce that the show is now streaming on Spotify, Apple Podcast, and Google Podcast if you search up Radio Totally Normal Toronto.

Sherbourne Health:
sherbourne.on.ca
Umbrella Mental Health Network:
www.umhn.ca
RTNT: 
www.radiototallynormaltoronto.org
For more information about Progress Place please visit: 
www.progressplace.org

Radio Totally Normal Toronto, or RTNT for short, is a voice for community mental health; produced by the members and staff of Progress Place, a clubhouse and mental health recovery centre in downtown Toronto. Today’s episode is all about mental health and education. We will be focusing on an amazing program at George Brown College.

Children and youth spend a great deal of their lives at school; struggling with a mental health issue can affect their school life. They may behave in different ways with teachers and classmates, have difficulty making friends, or avoid going to class. Having difficulties can affect their grades. All of these issues can make things worse for them. (Source: smh-assist.ca)

It is encouraging to see our community strive to improve awareness to reduce stigma and increase the amount of supports that are available in and outside schools. 

Emily of RTNT was our interviewer for our 18th episode. We were fortunate to have interviewed Teresa Doell, Job Coordinator of the Augmented Education program at George Brown College. Teresa presents lots of insight on the program and the type of support they offer in both the classroom and for the workplace. 

Thank you to all the members and staff of Progress Place who work hard each month to create a recurring episode of Radio Totally Normal Toronto. Special thank you to Teresa Doell for being involved in episode 18 of RTNT.

We are pleased to announce that the show is now streaming on Spotify, Apple Podcast, and Google Podcast if you search up Radio Totally Normal Toronto!

This episode originally aired on June 12th, 2019 on CJRU 1280 AM and www.cjru.ca. Radio Totally Normal Toronto is produced by the members and staff of Progress Place Clubhouse.

George Brown College - Augmented Education: 
www.georgebrown.ca/augmentededucation
RTNT:
www.radiototallynormaltoronto.org
For more information about Progress Place please visit: www.progressplace.org

​Radio Totally Normal Toronto, or RTNT for short, is a voice for community mental health; produced by the members and staff of Progress Place, a clubhouse and mental health recovery centre in downtown Toronto. Today’s episode is all about mental health and comedy and how the two interact. 

First up is Bart Campbell from the organization Laughing Like Crazy.  Laughing Like Crazy aims to empower participants and audiences alike, breakdown isolation and anxiety, build self-esteem, and challenge stigma. Looking at difficult issues through the lens of humour provides an empowering perspective on mental health issues, builds confidence, and improves communication.  RTNT listeners may recognize the first interview with Bart Campbell as it is from our third episode we did back in 2017.

In the second half of the episode we will be hearing from Jordan Foisy, a stand-up comedian from Toronto.  You may know him from his first album “Standing on the edge of unspeakable anxiety” as well as his written work for Vice Magazine and “This hour has 22 minutes.”  Most recently he is entertaining crowds with his show “The I’m back on my Antidepressants” tour.  He is an inspiration for people who suffer from Mental Health challenges.

A special thanks to all of the staff and members who helped to make this episode possible. Huge thanks to comedian Jordan Foisy and Bart Campbell from Laughing Like Crazy for taking time out of his schedule to sit down with us here at RTNT. If you are interested in finding out more about Laughing Like Crazy visit: mooddisorders.ca/program/laughing-like-crazy

This episode originally aired on May 8th, 2019 on CJRU 1280 AM and www.cjru.ca. Radio Totally Normal Toronto is produced by the members and staff of Progress Place Clubhouse.

RTNT: www.radiototallynormaltoronto.org
Soundcloud: www.soundcloud.com/radiototallynormaltoronto
For more information about Progress Place please visit: www.progressplace.org

Radio Totally Normal Toronto, or RTNT for short, is a voice for community mental health and is produced by the members and staff of Progress Place, which is a mental wellness clubhouse in downtown Toronto. On this winning Wednesday April 10, 2019, as always we have an eager member of RTNT host the show.

Today you will hear an interview with Bretton Dabous, who is the Program Manager at Street To Trail, an inspiring organization that takes homeless and marginalized individuals on hiking and overnight camping trips. This flows nicely with our Vox Pops of willing members of Progress Place who discuss their feelings about nature and mental health.

Do you get out in nature as much as you would like? Are you satisfied with the amount of green spaces in Toronto? Ask yourself these questions the next time you feel overwhelmed by the daily grind of the work week.

A special thanks to all of the staff and members who helped to make this episode possible and a huge thanks to Bretton Dabous from Street To Trail for taking time out of his schedule to sit down with us here at RTNT. If you are interested in finding out more about Street To Trail or would like to donate to a worthy cause visit: street-to-trail.ca

This episode originally aired on April 10, 2019 on CJRU 1280 AM and www.cjru.ca. Radio Totally Normal Toronto is produced by the members and staff of Progress Place Clubhouse.
RTNT: www.radiototallynormaltoronto.org
Soundcloud: www.soundcloud.com/radiototallynormaltoronto
For more information about Progress Place please visit: www.progressplace.org

​Radio Totally Normal Toronto, or RTNT for short, is a voice for community mental health; it is produced by the members and staff of Progress Place, a mental wellness clubhouse in downtown Toronto. This wonderful Wednesday, March 13th, 2019, we had Johnny, a member of RTNT, hosting the show.

Today you will hear an interview and Vox pops of members from Progress Place. They will discuss the topics of Mental Health and Spring Cleaning. First up we spend time with Charmaine Pang, a meditation instructor. After that interview we’ll be hearing from members of Progress Place speaking on spring cleaning.

Vox pop comes from the Latin term vox populi, which means ‘voice of the people’. Media College explains that it is used in media where interviewers on television and radio go ‘on the streets’ to ask passerbys simple questions on specific topics.

Huge thanks to Charmaine Pang for dropping by Progress Place to share her knowledge on meditation for us. If you are interested in keeping in touch with her work you can follow her on:
Twitter: @wavysky.ca 
​Linktree: linktr.ee/wavysky.ca

This episode originally aired on March 13th, 2019 on CJRU 1280 AM and www.cjru.ca. Radio Totally Normal Toronto is produced by the members and staff of Progress Place Clubhouse.
RTNT: www.radiototallynormaltoronto.org
Soundcloud: @radiototallynormaltoronto
For more information about Progress Place please visit: www.progressplace.org

​Radio Totally Normal Toronto, or RTNT for short, is a voice for community mental health; produced by the members and staff of Progress Place, a mental wellness clubhouse in downtown Toronto. This wonderful Wednesday, February 13th, 2019, we had Ovita, a member of RTNT, hosting the show with Toby helping with tech!

Today we have two interviews lined up for our listeners. They surround topics of Mental Health and Family. Family and a healthy social environment are crucial to anyone’s recovery and maintenance of a First up we spend time with Hilary Brown, a former foreign and war correspondent for CBC News. After that interview we’ll be hearing from Ryan Tucker, the Executive Director of F.A.M.E. for Families.

Family Day is not a national statutory holiday, it is only observed in New Brunswick, Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, Saskatchewan and in British Columbia. Two other provinces have holidays in February: In PEI Islander Day is celebrated on the 3rd Monday in February and in Manitoba the 3rd Monday in February is the Louis Riel Day holiday.

Family Day was originally created to give people time to spend with their families but it also provides a day off between New Year's Day and Good Friday as they are approximately three months apart.

Here is a short list as to why family and supportive circles are important to any individual living with a mental illness: 
- Act as informal case managers, encouraging and supporting treatment; identifying and - securing housing; and arranging for income assistance
- Provide information on the context of a loved one’s life, to assist professionals in understanding them as a whole person

Studies have shown that family involvement in these roles results in significant benefits in: 
- Decreased rates of hospitalization and relapse
- Enhanced adherence to treatment choices 
- Decreased involvement with the criminal justice system 
- Increased rates of recovery 
- Savings to the mental health and addiction systems

This episode originally aired on February 13th, 2019 on CJRU 1280 AM and www.cjru.ca. Radio Totally Normal Toronto is produced by the members and staff of Progress Place Clubhouse.
RTNT: www.radiototallynormaltoronto.org
Soundcloud: www.soundcloud.com/radiototallynormaltoronto
For more information about Progress Place please visit: www.progressplace.org

Happy New Years' to all! Hope everyone had an excellent Holiday season. Radio Totally Normal Toronto is back at it again ready for 2019. This January 9th show was hosted by Toby with Kam and Ryan working tech.  

The first part of this show talks about the meaning of National Hot Tea Month. RTNT's Elliada interviewed Carina, a tea enthusiast about history, traditions, culture, benefits and fun facts about tea! 

A warm, steaming cup of tea is welcome at any time of day especially during the cooler months. Whether as an alternative to coffee in the morning, or as a quiet cap to the end of the day, settling your nerves with Chamomile and Lavender, tea is amazing. We can drink it with lemon, sugar, honey, milk and/or creamer. However we do it, having tea is a great way to celebrate the holidays, mental health and National Tea Month, that can warm our hearts and bodies. 

In case you missed it in our December show, you will also hear from members of Progress Place who were interviewed about the holidays. Tara, Dan and Julie talked to various members, exploring how they maintain their mental health during the holiday season. 
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This episode originally aired on January 9th, 2019 on CJRU 1280 AM and  www.cjru.ca. Radio Totally Normal Toronto is produced by the members and staff of Progress Place Clubhouse.

RTNT: www.radiototallynormaltoronto.org/

Soundcloud: soundcloud.com/radiototallynormaltoronto

For more information about Progress Place please visit:  www.progressplace.org