 Welcome to the 36th episode of Radio Totally Normal Toronto on CJRU 1280 AM and cjru.ca.
This month's episode is about Mental Health and Creativity. You will get an opportunity to listen to a discussion over Zoom between members and staff of Progress Place about how having a creative outlet can impact our mood and mental health. Several scientific studies have shown that having a creative outlet can help increase positive emotions and reduce depressive symptoms and anxiety. By no means should any of the information or opinions presented be considered as advice. What we do advise is that the info be taken with a grain of salt and for our listeners to form their own opinions. We would like to thank all those involved with this episode of Radio Totally Normal Toronto and a special thanks to Catherine, a facilitator from the Toronto Writers Collective, a non-profit organization that provides free creative writing workshops to vulnerable communities in the GTA and other Canadian cities. Thank you to our listeners and all the members and staff of Progress Place who work hard each month to create a recurring episode of Radio Totally Normal Toronto. *To learn more about RTNT or listen to previous episodes please check out radiototallynormaltoronto.org. You can stream RTNT on Spotify, Apple Podcast, and Google Podcast if you search up Radio Totally Normal Toronto. If you’d like to learn more about Progress Place you can: -Visit progressplace.org. -Follow us on social media @progressplaceclubhouse on Instagram & Facebook @Progress_Place on Twitter*
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 Welcome to the April show of Radio Totally Normal Toronto on CJRU 1280 AM and cjru.ca. Julie of RTNT was the host for this April 14, 2021 episode number 35.
Today we are going to speak on Mental Health and Pets. First off, we’re going to connect with staff and members of Progress Place to listen in on their Round Table discussion on the topic. We recorded the discussion over Zoom as the Clubhouse is not currently open to record in our studio. This episode features perspectives and information that are not directly from RTNT. We are NOT health professionals who specialize in Covid-19 or any other physical health matters. If you have any questions about Covid-19 please visit the website for either Toronto Public Health or Public Health Ontario or contact your doctor directly for any health questions or concerns. This episode may contain conversations around suicide and suicide prevention. If you are in crisis, please call 911 or the Gerstein Crisis Centre (if you’re in Toronto) at (416) 929-5200. Afterwards, we are spoke with Liane Weber of The LifeLine Canada Foundation. They have an amazing program, among others, called Companion Paws Canada. Taken from the Companion Paws website: “Medical studies have confirmed what we all know from experience, spending time with an affectionate pet makes us feel better. In fact, contact with a compassionate animal can significantly improve mental and physical health, as well as reduce stress, depression and anxiety. A pet can make a huge difference in your life.” Our round table discussion involves a group of animal loving staff and members. We are really fortunate to be able to draw from their knowledge and experience around pets. It’s difficult to know the true benefits of owning a pet until it's something you experience for yourself. This discussion was so fun to do that they lost track of time! We would like to thank all those involved with this episode of Radio Totally Normal Toronto. Please check out the Lifeline Canada Foundation website and on the app store. Thank you Liane Weber. A special thank you to our interviewers of RTNT. 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. Thank you to our listeners. Please, share this episode with your friends and family. *To learn more about RTNT or listen to previous episodes please check out radiototallynormaltoronto.org. You can stream RTNT on Spotify, Apple Podcast, and Google Podcast if you search up Radio Totally Normal Toronto. If you’d like to learn more about Progress Place you can: -Visit progressplace.org. -Follow us on social media @progressplaceclubhouse on Instagram & Facebook @Progress_Place on Twitter* Thanks again for listening to us and stay tuned for a new episode in two months!  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 34 was hosted on February 10th, 2021. This month we sat down with Racquel from Regent Park Communty Centre and Diabetes Education Program and Kaltuma from Weston Mount Dennis at the Community Hub. The episode was recorded using an online platform and all the participants were in their own homes to comply with the social distancing recommendation. On this episode we have an interview with Kaltuma from Weston Mount Dennis at the Community Hub in Toronto. She shared with us the changes that have been made at The Community Hub since the beginning of the pandemic. Then we interviewed Racquel, a nutritionist from Regent Park and Diabetes Education Program. She shares tips and tricks to stay healthy throughout the pandemic. Progress Place Warm Line have extended their hours to offer support to anyone feeling isolated or needing a friendly chat during these times. Between 12pm - 8pm, Call 416-323-3721 Between 8pm - Midnight, Call 416-960-WARM (9276) Text 647-557-5882 You can also chat online on warmline.ca Thank you to everyone that worked so hard to keep the RTNT production going through these times. Thank you to our listeners, and we want to let you know that you are not alone. During these uncertain times, stay connected with a community that supports you can help us go through the worry and overwhelming news. We are here for you. To learn more about RTNT or listen to previous episodes please check out our website radiototallynormaltoronto.org Also, the show is now streaming on Spotify, Apple Podcast, and Google Podcast and many more if you search up Radio Totally Normal Toronto.  Happy World Mental Health Day from all of the members, staff and directors of Progress Place!
This year's theme for WMHD is all about investing in mental health and access to care. So we decided to produce a very special episode of our podcast, Radio Totally Normal Toronto, that takes a deep and engaging look at the Clubhouse Model, which is, of course, the model that we follow at Progress Place. Join RTNTers Mark, Mairon, Richard and Andrew as they are joined in conversation with Steven, a longtime member of Progress Place, and Criss, Progress Place's Executive Director as they discuss the Clubhouse Model, it's amazing impact on the lives of people living with mental illness and why it's so important to invest in programs like it - especially in times like these. Enjoy, stay safe and happy World Mental Health Day!  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 32 was hosted by Janice on CJRU 1280AM, Wednesday, August 12, 2020. This month we're talking about Mental Health and Sports. We had an opportunity to interview Michael Landsberg after an event hosted by Progress Place Clubhouse and the Rotary Club Toronto. The first part of the show features this interview and afterwards we will listen to a recorded table discussion about mental health and sports with members and staff from Progress Place.
Michael Landsberg is a well known Sports Journalist and the current host of TSN s: “First Up with Landsberg and Colaiacovo”. In 2012, the Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Health named Landsberg one of its Champions of Mental Health. Landsbergs' documentary, “Darkness and Hope: Depression, Sports and Me”, earned a Canadian Screen Award nomination in 2013. For his longstanding dedication to promoting mental health awareness, Landsberg was honoured with the Humanitarian Award at the 2015 Canadian Screen Awards. In 2017, he was awarded a Meritous Service Medal, (Civil Division), for his mental health advocacy, presented by the Governor General of Canada, at a ceremony held at Rideau Hall. Michael created the hashtag #sicknotweak and has transformed that into the website sicknotweak.com The website provides a forum for people to share their struggles with mental illness. On the website you can read stories written by people who suffer from the many forms of mental illness. Also you can watch the daily “Landsblog”, in which Michael shares his thoughts and stories. Michael's objectives on the website are: To help people understand that mental illness is a sickness, not a weakness. To create a community of people who come to gain strength and stay to give strength. To help both sufferers and the people who care about them. Get as many people as possible, in a loud, firm, confident voice to share the words “I am SickNotWeak” To see the Toronto Maple Leafs win a Stanley Cup in my lifetime Michael also states: “ I am unconventional. I am not limited like other initiatives by corporate correctness or medical agendas. I believe that the traditional way - whispered, clinical, formal and the sanitized, adds to the shame and reinforces the belief that people are weak, not sick.” SickNotWeak can also be found on Twitter and Facebook. There is also a SickNotWeak channel on Youtube. On his channel, check out the clip “What is SickNotWeak”, it is hilarious and informative. Progress Place Warm Line have extended their hours to offer support to anyone feeling isolated or needing a friendly chat during these times. Between 12pm - 8pm, Call 416-323-3721 Between 8pm - Midnight, Call 416-960-WARM (9276) Text 647-557-5882 You can also chat online on warmline.ca Thank you to everyone that worked so hard to keep the RTNT production going through these times. Thank you to our listeners, and we want to let you know that you are not alone. During these uncertain times, stay connected with a community that supports you can help us go through the worry and overwhelming news. We are here for you. To learn more about RTNT or listen to previous episodes please check out our website radiototallynormaltoronto.org. Also, the show is now streaming on Spotify, Apple Podcast, and Google Podcast and many more if you search up Radio Totally Normal 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.
Episode 31 was hosted on July 8th, 2020. This month we sat down with Norma and Linda from the St. James Town Seniors Program at the Community Corner. The second part of the show features VOXPOPs that we had produced over Zoom! We asked several questions surrounding how members and staff have been coping with changes during the COVID19 pandemic. The episode was recorded using an online platform and all the participants were in their own homes to comply with the social distancing recommendation. St. James Town is the largest highrise community in Canada and is also the most densely populated area in Canada. It is a multi cultural, multi ethnic and multi linguistic neighbourhood. In May 2011, the St. James Town Community Corner at 200 Wellesley opened doors. The Corner is a fully accessible set of offices, meeting spaces, program rooms and community kitchen dedicated to local initiatives and services to benefit the neighbourhood. The Corner is part of The St. James Town Service Providers’ Network (SJTSPN) It consists of service providers and community members who work collaboratively to support the St. James Town Community. One of the subcommittees of the SPN is the Older Adult Consortium of St. James Town that comprises of representatives from service providers, local senior group leaders and residents that work together, to identify and support older adults living in the community. The Senior Mental Health Day Program is run in collaboration with Dixon Hall, Hospice Toronto, Toronto Public Health and The Corner that provides us the space for the program. Progress Place is the lead of the program. The program is located at 200 Wellesley Street E, in a safe, cheerful and friendly environment. The program operates right in the heart of the community where members/participants live. The program currently runs three days of the week from Tuesdays to Thursdays, is attended by seniors 55+ that are exceptionally vulnerable, isolated and without much social connections. Progress Place Warm Line have extended their hours to offer support to anyone feeling isolated or needing a friendly chat during these times. Between 12pm - 8pm, Call 416-323-3721 Between 8pm - Midnight, Call 416-960-WARM (9276) Text 647-557-5882 You can also chat online on warmline.ca Thank you to everyone that worked so hard to keep the RTNT production going through these times. Thank you to our listeners, and we want to let you know that you are not alone. During these uncertain times, stay connected with a community that supports you can help us go through the worry and overwhelming news. We are here for you. To learn more about RTNT or listen to previous episodes please check out our website radiototallynormaltoronto.org Also, the show is now streaming on Spotify, Apple Podcast, and Google Podcast and many more if you search up Radio Totally Normal 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.
Episode 30 was hosted on June 10th, 2020. This month we sat down with Steven Hughes. The episode was recorded using an online platform and all the participants were in their own homes to comply with the social distancing recommendation. On this episode we have an interview with Steven Hughes, a Laughter Yoga teacher and Education Specialist from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) in Toronto. He has been a certified Yoga teacher since 1985 and today he is going to explain what Laughter Yoga is and what are its benefits to our physical and mental health. We think that this topic is important at this time because it can provide us with better ways to cope with stress and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic. Progress Place Warm Line have extended their hours to offer support to anyone feeling isolated or needing a friendly chat during these times. Between 12pm - 8pm, Call 416-323-3721 Between 8pm - Midnight, Call 416-960-WARM (9276) Text 647-557-5882 You can also chat online on warmline.ca Thank you to everyone that worked so hard to keep the RTNT production going through these times. Thank you to our listeners, and we want to let you know that you are not alone. During these uncertain times, stay connected with a community that supports you can help us go through the worry and overwhelming news. We are here for you. To learn more about RTNT or listen to previous episodes please check out our website radiototallynormaltoronto.org Also, the show is now streaming on Spotify, Apple Podcast, and Google Podcast and many more if you search up Radio Totally Normal 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.
Episode 29 was hosted by RTNT’s Donhaila on May 13th, 2020. This month we’re continuing discussing Mental health and supports during self-isolation. The episode was recorded using an online platform and all the participants were in their own homes to comply with the social distancing recommendation. We have a double feature this show: an interview with the Warm Line and a teaser of an interview we did with Steven Hughes, a Laughter Yoga Leader and Education Specialist at the Center for Addictions and Mental Health (CAMH). We recorded an interview with the Warm Line so that they may give us an overview of the services they offer. Due to confidentiality we will be leaving them nameless. Thank you to the Warm Line for their involvement with the show this month. Progress Place Warm Line have extended their hours to offer support to anyone feeling isolated or needing a friendly chat during these times. Between 12pm - 8pm, Call 416-323-3721 Between 8pm - Midnight, Call 416-960-WARM (9276) Text 647-557-5882 You can also chat online on warmline.ca The interview with Steven Hughes was so fun that we decided we wanted to show our listeners a teaser so that everyone can tune in next month (June 10th) for the full interview! Thank you to everyone that worked so hard to keep the RTNT production going through these times. Thank you to our listeners, and we want to let you know that you are not alone. During these uncertain times, stay connected with a community that supports you can help us go through the worry and overwhelming news. We are here for you. Also, the show is now streaming on Spotify, Apple Podcast, and Google Podcast if you search up Radio Totally Normal Toronto. https://open.spotify.com/show/35FOGmRKNzMB11vXee3elL https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/radio-totally-normal-toronto/id1464398185?uo=4 https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy9iNmVkOGE4L3BvZGNhc3QvcnNz  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 28 was hosted by RTNT’s Susan on April 8, 2020. This month we’re focusing on Mental health and self-isolation. The episode was recorded using an online platform and all the participants were in their own homes to comply with the social distancing recommendation. We focused the conversation on how we can protect our mental health during this COVID19 pandemic outbreak and the strategies that we can use to stay connected even when we can't leave our homes. The participants of this conversation, members and staff of Progress Place, share their ways to cope with self-isolation and how they stay informed trying to avoid "fake news" and misinformation. In the era of Social Media, a lot of unverified information can cause confusion and can reduce the effectiveness of public health advice The World Health Organization created the term “infodemic” to refer to this misinformation that can have real health effects on many people, especially in a population that already struggles with mental health issues. Also, during this episode we share some resources that anyone can access for mental health support. Progress Place Warm Line have extended their hours to offer support to anyone feeling isolated or needing a friendly chat during these times. Between 12pm - 8pm, Call 416-323-3721 Between 8pm - Midnight, Call 416-960-WARM (9276) Text 647-557-5882 You can also chat online on warmline.ca Thank you to our listeners, and we want to let you know that you are not alone. During these uncertain times, stay connected with a community that supports you can help us go through the worry and overwhelming news. We are here for you. Also, the show is now streaming on Spotify, Apple Podcast, and Google Podcast if you search up Radio Totally Normal Toronto Check them out here: https://anchor.fm/radio-totally-normal-toronto https://open.spotify.com/show/35FOGmRKNzMB11vXee3elL https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/radio-totally-normal-toronto/id1464398185?uo=4 https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy9iNmVkOGE4L3BvZGNhc3QvcnNz  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 27 was hosted by RTNT’s Matthew on March 11, 2020 . This month we’re focusing on music and mental health. 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. Milena, who is a worker at Progress Place, leads members in a discussion about how music can affect our mental health. It is amazing how music has impacted all of the individuals in the discussion in such a positive manner. In a article found on livescience.com Suzanne Hanser, from Berklee College of Music in Boston said: "Music-making is linked to a number of health benefits for older adults," "Research shows that making music can lower blood pressure, decrease heart rate, reduce stress, and lessen anxiety and depression. There is also increasing evidence that making music enhances the immunological response, which enables us to fight viruses," 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 the members and staff for their participation on this episode 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. |