A return to normalcy after a pandemic that lasted more than two years, time with family and friends, and enjoying a warm fall are just a few things people are giving thanks for as we celebrate the season. For us here at Some Other Solutions, we are most thankful for you and our community.

Anxiety is intense. One moment you’re sitting quietly at peace and the next, your head is spinning, heart is racing, muscles are tight, and you’re feeling intense emotions.

This September is the first time in three years that young people have returned to near-normal conditions at their schools, bringing with it all sorts of mental health challenges.

The last two months have been filled with trips, camping, BBQs’ and plenty of family time. Kids have had long days outside, plenty of video games, movie binge sessions and sleepovers. Now it’s time to start thinking about getting everyone in the household back into a routine so they can have a great start to the school year.

Let’s be honest. We only have so many months of warm weather in Canada — especially where we live — so we need to take advantage of the nice days while we have them! The summer months come with a lot of natural opportunities to boost your mental health.

Our brain is nourished by new experiences. Try and seek out a new place to camp or a new hiking trail. A departure from routine renews our focus and sense of excitement!

An SOS survey in 2020 showed that 75 percent of respondents indicated they wanted the Crisis Line to remain, despite other provincial resources being available.

Nature can play a significant role in keeping us healthy – mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually. We can connect with nature by visiting a park, taking a hike, going to the beach, or even sitting in our backyard.

Depression can affect how someone feels, thinks and behaves and can result in many different emotional and physical problems.

As long as there have been teenagers and warm summer days, there have been cycles of late nights and early mornings that can be hard to break. Whether it’s staying out late with friends and then up early in the morning for school or a summer job…the problem remains the same. Young people are not getting enough sleep.

After everyone left, I stood in front of a mirror in that bedroom and burst into tears. I wish I could say it was the first time, but this had been escalating since early in the year. In the beginning, I would come home from work and break down once a week. Then it was twice a week.

As we mark the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia on May 17, it’s essential to sit and think about the difference we can all make in our everyday lives to denounce the violence and discrimination experienced by all other people with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities or expressions, and sex characteristics.

Taking care of your mental health in times like these is paramount. It’s easy to get in your head and elevate your anxiety to unhealthy levels. Instead, it’s time to channel some inner strength and practice consistent, important self-care rituals.

How do you feel when you don’t stay on top of cleaning your house? The clutter is piling up in every room, forcing you — in a lot of cases — to walk around the piles as you navigate from one room to the next. Pretty blah.

For a Transgender person, the social construct of the modern gender binary can feel overwhelming and limiting. Moving between and beyond, it has historically been more than challenging — it's proven to have been downright dangerous.

Loneliness can be overwhelming if not kept in check. Feelings of isolation, longing and loss can bleed easily into our everyday activities. It can become a vicious cycle if we don't stop, reflect on what we are feeling, identify what the issue is and then work to remedy a solution to fix it.

Bullying is a power imbalance. One individual (or group) has power and control over another person or group of people. And it doesn’t always present itself as a physical attack. Intimidation, spreading rumours, or saying hurtful things are all forms of bullying.

Cyberbullying is on the rise, amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic during a time when more and more people spend considerable parts of their day online. As we mark Pink Shirt Day this month, it is essential to take a moment and reflect on instances where we have maybe been guilty of cyberbullying or been a victim of it.