Does a pro-inflammatory diet cause depression?

June 16, 2019

In December 2018, the journal Clinical Nutrition reported that those with pro-inflammatory diets were 1.4 times more likely to have depression or depressive symptoms. The finding came from 11 existing studies, involving over 100,000 participants with pro-inflammatory diets. Yet, in years of mental health care for diagnosed depression, inflammation was not something that any doctor,… Read More Does a pro-inflammatory diet cause depression?

— Getting help —

What do do while waiting for help that actually helps

June 9, 2019

What to do while waiting for help that actually helps your teenager is an important lesson to learn, because chances are you’ll have to wait. And while you wait, your teenager’s depression may get worse. At least that’s what happened with my daughter. She went from acknowledging she felt depressed and asking for help to… Read More What do do while waiting for help that actually helps

— Self-care for parents —

Depressed teenagers do not walk dogs

June 2, 2019

Depressed teenagers do not walk dogs. At least not in my experience. I thought you should know in case you were thinking about getting a dog to help improve your teenager’s depression. That’s not to say you shouldn’t go ahead and do it. Dogs really are good for our mental health. I just think it’s… Read More Depressed teenagers do not walk dogs

— Getting help —

Expert Q&A: Advances in CBT with Dr. Khush Amaria

May 21, 2019

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), with or without medication, seems to be the go-to treatment for teenagers with moderate to severe depression. The catch is that one-on-one CBT with a psychologist or licensed clinical social worker in Toronto can cost anywhere from $150 to $225 an hour in Toronto, and appointments outside of work and school… Read More Expert Q&A: Advances in CBT with Dr. Khush Amaria

— Self-care for parents —

Mother’s Day might suck

May 12, 2019

If you live with a teenager who lives with depression, you probably already know that Mother’s Day might suck. Or, it might be great. Your heart, broken and deprived, might get the lift it needs to get on with it for another day, another week, another month. It’s hard to say which way the cookie… Read More Mother’s Day might suck

— Self-care for parents —

It’s ok to hate depression

April 10, 2019

It’s ok to hate depression. Depression’s a jerk. But hating Depression, at least in my experience, won’t help. When Depression first showed up at our door, I actually felt sorry for her. I told my daughter, “It’s ok, let her in. There’s plenty of room here.” I made up a bed and assured her we’d… Read More It’s ok to hate depression

— In the news —

How to prevent suicide on university campuses

March 31, 2019

How to prevent suicide on university campuses is once again in the news after another University of Toronto student was found dead in the atrium of the Bahen Centre for Information Technology. Having nearly lost my own daughter to depression at age 13, and with her university years a short skip away, the news hit… Read More How to prevent suicide on university campuses

— Getting help —

There’s a learning curve to antidepressants

February 28, 2019

There’s a learning curve to managing antidepressants in your teenager’s life. Things I hadn’t considered until I was faced with them. And almost as soon as I got my head around it, I found a brand new suitcase of emotional baggage to unpack, along with some unexpected practical challenges. For what it’s worth, here are… Read More There’s a learning curve to antidepressants

— Getting help —

10 things you should do now if you think your teenager is depressed

February 2, 2019

Teenage depression isn’t always easy to spot and left untreated, it can quickly get worse. So even if you think your teenager might be depressed, here are 10 things you should do now. 1. Take notes If you spot signs of depression in your teenager, start a journal. When did the signs first appear to… Read More 10 things you should do now if you think your teenager is depressed

— Getting help, In the news —

#BellLet’sTalk: An open letter to Bell Canada

January 30, 2019

Bell, I think we need to talk. You don’t know me, but you know my daughter. She’s the 1 in 5 in Canada with mental illness. Part of the 12% of girls under the age of 18 who has experienced a major depressive disorder. You don’t know me, because as the mom of a teenager… Read More #BellLet’sTalk: An open letter to Bell Canada

Parenting Depression

Hope for youth mental health