by fizza | Feb 17, 2022 | Uncategorized
Where do I start? How do I start? You may be having these thoughts come up for you when it comes to conversations around anti-racism. If you’re reading this and are a part of the TNM network, you know that we have been trying to have conversations on race in the mental health system for quite some time now.
Through our work, we’ve heard from many that they want to learn, grow and be a true ally to racialized communities. We want you to know that we are proud of you for taking this step towards learning and unlearning. It’s not an easy road, but it’s an important one to take.
We know that everyone is at different stages of learning, and also that everyone has different learning styles. Which is why, you will find a compiled list below of podcasts, movies/TV shows, and books for you all to read, listen and watch at your own pace.
We believe it’s important to learn from all different folks from all walks of life when it comes to conversations around anti-racism. One book won’t give you all the answers to solve systemic racism, but we hope it will inspire and encourage you to embark on a lifelong journey of learning.
For my racialized folks in the network, I know we many times bear the weight of having to educate others. I want you to know that it is not your job to do so. I hope this list of resources provides you a space of solace, a sense that you are not alone in feeling that weight, and a sense of community.
Reflection Questions
I ask that you do some inner reflection work as you embark on this journey, here are a couple questions to get you started:
- What was an insight or an ah-ha moment while reading, listening, or watching a resource from the list below?
- How do you plan on continuing your learning journey?
If you know of a resource, that isn’t added to this list please email me, Fizza Abbas, Network Coordinator for TNM at fizza@thenewmentality.ca – we want this to be a blog that we can keep adding to, as we advocate to create a mental health system that is truly inclusive to all.
The New Mentality:
Podcasts to Listen to:
Books to Read:
Movies/TV Shows to Watch:
- Dear White People
- When They See Us
- Time: The Kalief Browder Story
- 13th
- Little Fires Everywhere
- Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker
- Marshall
- Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am
- Trial 4
- Let it Fall: Los Angeles 1982-1992
- Cops and Robbers Short Film
- They’ve Gotta Have Us
- Selma
- American Son
- Hidden Figures
- Explained: The Racial Wealth Gap
- The Hate U Give
- Fruitvale Station
- Just Mercy
by fizza | Feb 16, 2022 | Uncategorized
I hope the network is ready for all the incredible TNM Group visits Jay, and I will be doing over the next few months… because we’re just getting started!
Last week we had a chance to visit our TNM Group in Thunder Bay with our partner agency, Children’s Centre Thunder Bay. This was a unique visit, as the adult allies and youth were able to meet in person, and we joined via Zoom!
We started the meeting with a check-in by sharing a rose, a positive highlight of our day or week, and a bud, an opportunity to share an idea we had or something we’re looking forward to or are exploring. We learned more about the adult allies and the youth and found one youth who had the same love for Hot Cheetos as me, which created an instant connection. Who doesn’t love Hot Cheetos, am I right?
The youth and adult allies began brainstorming ideas for their TNM Group and shared that they have been working on an Instagram page that they recently created. If you haven’t already, follow their TNM Group here. They have some exciting ideas and content coming soon!
The youth and adult allies also brainstormed what they would like to include in their upcoming self-care kit project, which will be handed out in their community. They came up with many great items to place in their kits, such as tea bags, stress balls, cooling masks, notepads for folks to journal and write down their thoughts, and chocolate! It’s always so great to hear how many of our TNM Groups have created self-care kits to give back to the community and encourage others to take care of themselves.
After some project planning, we shifted gears and heard from the TNM Group about some of the changes they would like to see within the Child and Youth Mental Health sector. We heard that many school guidance counsellors dismiss the mental health needs of students, and resources and access to quality care are limited. An adult ally shared that only one psychiatrist in Thunder Bay is currently accepting clients, leading to a crisis-oriented system. Jay and I really appreciated the youth and adult allies’ honesty and vulnerability. The system needs to move from crisis to quality.
Thank you to the wonderful adult allies and youth for welcoming us, even though we were on screen! Jay and I are looking forward to connecting with more of our TNM Groups across the province and learning about all the awesome work everyone is doing.
If you are a youth mental health advocate and want to be a part of a TNM Group, click here to find one near you!
See you all soon on zoom,
Fizza Abbas, Network Coordinator
by fizza | Feb 9, 2022 | Uncategorized
I’m back on tour, visiting all of our TNM Groups across the province…. and this time, I’m bringing TNM’s New Program Manager, Jay Baker, along with me!
To get started with our tour, we visited our TNM Group in Kirkland Lake last week with our partner agency North Eastern Ontario Family and Children’s Services (NEOFACS).
Even though we haven’t been able to do TNM Groups visits in person for two years now, our virtual visit transported us from the cold winter days to a warm summer day…as the adult allies planned a Beach Party-themed meeting! The adult allies and youth were decked out with Lei necklaces and themed Zoom backgrounds, and it felt as if we were in paradise. The adult allies are continuously going above and beyond when it comes to youth engagement by dropping off beach theme activities and snacks at the youth’s home before the meeting.
We played many icebreakers during our group visit, such as Two Truths and a Lie, Never Have I Ever, and Trivia. I discovered so much about everyone on the line, such as how one of our youth is exceptionally good at axe throwing!
The last time I visited, I learned how students drive snowmobiles to school. It’s always so interesting to learn about the different traditions and norms in each community. Adult allies and youth shared with me that the community has a very competitive ice sculpture contest every year and how 9-year-olds can get a boating licence. However, most exciting of all was that some workers received nuggets of gold as a gift… let’s say I’ve already added Kirkland Lake to my retirement plan.
During our visit, we discussed the possibility of having all of our northern TNM Groups collaborate and connect for an event or a meeting to get to know each other and engage more youth leaders. If you’re reading this and you want to join a TNM Group, click here to find one near you!
Thank you to the fantastic adult allies and youth for such a warm welcome and all the laughs! Jay and I look forward to continuing our tour across the province and getting to connect with all the incredible adult allies and youth who are constantly shifting the needle to create meaningful change within the Child and Youth Mental Health sector.
See you all soon on zoom,
Fizza Abbas, Network Coordinator
by fizza | Dec 2, 2021 | Uncategorized
Hey TNM Network!
My name is Jay (she/her) and I’m so excited to introduce myself as the Program Manager of The New Mentality. I’m looking forward to getting to know all of you (old TNM friends and new), but in the meantime, let me share a bit more about myself!
If I had to describe myself in a word or two, I’d say I’m a possibility thinker. I love getting curious and exploring a variety of options and possibilities. I like to think that we are happier when we can imagine new ideas and opportunities for ourselves and our futures.
It’s possibility thinking that makes me a life-long learner. I’m constantly trying new things. Whether it’s salsa dancing, fighting in a boxing match, skydiving, or travelling, I’m always looking for ways to meet new people and gain new experiences.
I actually started my career journey working in international development – primarily supporting youth in their personal and career journeys through arts and education programming. I’ve had the pleasure of working with youth all around the world – Nicaragua, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Germany, and Brazil to name a few – and they have taught me so much, both personally and professionally.
As I continued to work with these youth, the one thing I realized is that without the proper supports and considerations, systemic challenges exist as critical barriers to youth success. These barriers can look like access, discrimination, tokenism, or just a lack of meaningful engagement. Regardless, the one thing they always have in common is how they impact the wellness of young people.
It quickly occurred to me that we can’t run any successful programs where youth are encouraged to actively participate, without consideration for their mental health. It’s this realization that prompted me to work on programs like the Community Healing Project, Connected North, the Toronto Youth Equity Mental Health Training, and Kids Help Phone Crisis Response.
Throughout all these experiences, I’ve learned that the people and organizations I’ve worked with have the best understanding of their needs and the needs of their communities. What I love about The New Mentality is that it provides opportunities for young people and their allies to be the driving force for the changes they want to see.
I believe that the most effective programs are the ones that allow folks to see themselves reflected in, not just impacted by, the work.
I’m looking forward to continuing to collaborate with the Network to further feelings of ownership, include more voices that reflect the diversity of our young people, increase capacity building opportunities for our adult allies, and build a more sustainable program for years to come.
For now, though, I’m just excited to say “hi”! Please feel free to reach out to me to me. I’d love to schedule a virtual coffee (or tea) chat to get to know everyone!
If you would like to connect, please contact me at jay@thenewmentality.ca
by fizza | Oct 7, 2021 | Uncategorized
Turning 18-years-old can come with some new and exciting experiences like voting, opening your own bank account, or getting a tattoo. It can be starting a new chapter of your life by graduating high school and starting university or college. However, the biggest thing about turning 18 is becoming an adult, at least on paper (I’m 21 and I definitely don’t think of myself as an actual adult), and that can mean changes to the mental health services that you have access to.
In high school, I started in a therapy program at my community’s youth mental health agency, Skylark. I also started receiving services at Sick Kids Hospital with a care team of doctors and therapists. On my 18th birthday, I found myself at my very last appointment and thought, “Well, what am I going to do now?”. The program at Skylark had a two-year maximum and Sick Kids only treats kids, so I knew from the beginning that my time at both place was limited, but when the time came I still didn’t know what to do next. Through a series of tips I learned on my journey, I want to share some of my experiences with starting over in the adult mental health system to hopefully provide some guidance and hope to anyone going through the same thing.
So there I was, 18-year-old brand new adult Dana. I no longer had a psychiatrist or therapist, and I was moving away to a new city to start my undergraduate degree. I was completely unsupported arriving to residence in September of my 1st year, so I started looking in the first place I could think of: campus.
If you’re a university or college student, check out the services offered by your school.
I go to Western University and one of its affiliates, Brescia University College, in London (Ontario not England, but how cool would that be?), and a great thing about it is the student health clinic. The clinic offers support not only for physical health, but for mental health, including access to crisis counselling and psychiatrists. My smaller school, Brescia, has a social worker on staff that offers case management to students experiencing moderate to severe mental health struggles. I’ve worked with this social worker since my 2nd year of university and continue to meet with them regularly well into my 4th year. They helped connect me to a psychiatrist on campus without waiting months to be seen, find a therapist in the city, and support me with any academic accommodations I need. Do some digging to see what kind of mental health and wellness services your school offers on its campus! Services on campus can be convenient and helpful if they’re a good match for you. I personally found that the mental health services at my school have been a paramount support throughout my education.
You might have to look at private practices if you’re looking to work with a therapist long-term.
There are so many amazing community agencies/organizations across Ontario that provide mental health services for adults, however, many of these places don’t offer long-term individual therapy. This was something I was looking for coming out of the youth system and quickly found out that if I wanted to work on my mental health challenges and personal goals one-on-one with a therapist over an extended period of time, then I needed to find someone in the private practice sector and pay them (this is where my school’s social worker helped me out, as mentioned above). This was very different, and a bit stressful, for me because up until that point I never had to pay money to work with a therapist and rates for one session could be upwards of $150. I was lucky enough to find someone who offered subsidized rates for broke students like me. If you’re worried about finances, but want to work with a therapist long-term there are options for those in financial need through government grants, OSAP, and your school’s health insurance plan.
You still have access to lots of community mental health services, support lines, and hospital services that don’t cost anything.
The word “youth” has a pretty wide age range, typically ages 13-25 (sometimes even going up to 27), so many youth mental health agencies continue to provide services to young people over 18. If you’re able to continue accessing services at your current youth organization or can start at another one, that’s awesome! It adds a few years to your time before you need to cross the line into the adult system. This wasn’t the case for me, but the adult mental health system still have great community services. In London, CMHA Middlesex is one of the biggest community mental health service providers in the city. They offer a wide range of supports free of charge, everything from crisis intervention and stabilization services, to an eating disorder program, to supportive housing. There are also helpful support lines such as Reach Out, Crisis Text Line, and Good2Talk which is post-secondary student-specific, and I’ve used each of these lines myself. Hospitals also offer different inpatient and outpatient programs for adults, depending on the severity of the mental health challenges one is struggling with. If you’re looking to get support from a hospital program, connect with your family doctor for a referral.
Thanks for giving this a read and I hope there was something you could take away. See you next time!
Thank you so much Dana! If you have any questions please contact email info@thenewmentality.ca
