In this episode of the "Care to Listen" podcast, host Sean Burke sits down with Mark Antczak, a registered clinical counselor and clinical educator at Anxiety Canada. Mark opens up about his own battles with anxiety and how these experiences shaped his career in mental health. He provides an in-depth look at cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and its effectiveness in treating anxiety. Mark also discusses the importance of self-care for healthcare workers, offering practical advice for managing personal well-being in high-stress environments. Additionally, the episode explores the broader societal implications of anxiety, the benefits of community support, and various self-care strategies that individuals can adopt to improve their mental health. Mark shares valuable tools and resources, like the MindShift app, designed to help people manage anxiety more effectively.

Content Warning: 

This audio episode contains some sensitive content, such as discussions of addiction, the ongoing opioid crisis, suicide, grieving, and loss. As such, we recommend that you listen to it with caution.

Time Stamps:

00:00:00 - Introduction: Sean Burke introduces Mark Antczak and sets the stage for their conversation about anxiety and mental health.

00:01:37 - Role at Anxiety Canada: Mark describes his role as a clinical counselor and educator, emphasizing the organization's mission and his personal involvement.

00:02:00 - Personal Struggles with Anxiety: Mark shares his personal experiences with anxiety, detailing his early challenges and how they shaped his career.

00:10:31 - Explaining Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Mark provides an overview of CBT, explaining its principles and how it helps manage anxiety.

00:16:25 - MindShift App: Discussion about the MindShift app, a tool developed by Anxiety Canada to help people manage their anxiety through CBT techniques.

00:18:19 - Holistic Approaches to Managing Anxiety: Mark talks about the need for a comprehensive approach to mental health, combining therapy, lifestyle changes, and community support.

00:24:54 - Impact of the Pandemic on Mental Health Professionals: Mark discusses the increased strain on healthcare workers during the pandemic and shares his personal experiences of burnout.

00:34:00 - Advice for Seeking Help: Closing remarks by Mark, offering advice to listeners who might be contemplating seeking help for anxiety or other mental health issues.

Resources:

Anxiety Canada

Care to Speak | Care For Caregivers

Phone Resources

SafeCare BC: Your Mental Health Matters

Bounceback (bouncebackbc.ca)

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