Ottawa Blues for Youth: A Lifeline in Every Lyric

Update: 2025-08-05

Description

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Ottawa Blues for Youth: A Lifeline in Every Lyric

Show Notes

Ottawa Blues for Youth: A Lifeline in Every Lyric

💥 What We Talk About:

Why music makes sense for mental health
The importance of local, community-driven support
How the YST intervention works
Lived experience and lived courage
What you can do to make a difference

🔗 How to Connect with Guests:

Event Site: ottawabluesforyouth.com
Dr. Zach Kaminsky: via The Royal Ottawa
Anita Manley: Contact via event site

📞 If You’re in Crisis

Text 988 in North America for 24/7 support.

Outside North America? Reach out to your local suicide prevention or mental health helpline.

#YouMatter

💬 Subscription Callout

Subscribe, rate, and share if this episode moved you. It could be the lifeline someone else didn’t know they needed.

#ConverSAVEtions

Bios

Anita Manley

Anita Manley is a mental health advocate, advisor, fundraiser, blogger, and peer facilitator. At The Royal, she has volunteered as a peer supporter for the women's mental health program from 2012-2024, was a member of the Client Advisory Council for five years, former editor of The Client's Voice newsletter and frequently shares her story with many audiences. Anita represented The Royal as co-chair of the Champlain LHIN PFAC and as a patient advisor for the resource development advisory group at Health Quality Ontario. Previously, Anita was a patient advisor for the Champlain Peer Network, The Ottawa Hospital Mental Health Community Advisory Committee, and a board member for Ottawa branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association.

Anita was recognized as one of the ‘Faces of Mental Illness’ campaign with CAMIMH; a recipient of The Royal’s 2015 Inspiration Award; a ‘Top 40 for 40’ year anniversary of The Royal Foundation; and a notable ‘Adult Hero’ on Silken Laumann’s website, Unsinkable.

Anita served as a Board Trustee at The Royal from June 2021 – June 2023.

She holds a BA in communications from Carleton University and is an instructor of public speaking and leadership courses with Christopher’s Leadership in Ottawa. Anita also continues to facilitate a journaling group she co-founded in 2013, at PLEO.

Link & Socials

Instagram (Personal)

Instagram (Art)

Facebook (Art Page)

Blog:

Dr Zachary Kaminsky

Dr. Zachary Kaminsky is a leading expert in suicide prevention who focuses on developing innovative interventions. His research has been instrumental in understanding the biological factors behind suicidal behavior. He advocates for a multi-faceted approach to crisis response, such as the Youth Nominated Support Team intervention. This model empowers a network of trained individuals—including family, friends, and community members—to act as a nominated support team for at-risk individuals. This proactive and collaborative strategy is a cornerstone of his vision for a more effective and compassionate suicide prevention system.

Links & Social Media

LinkedIn

University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine

Dr Kaminsky Associate Professor in Cellular & Molecular Medicine at uOttawa, based at The Royal’s IMHR

Royal Ottawa Institute of Mental Health Research (IMHR)

Dr Kaminsky is the DIFD Mach‑Gaensslen Chair in Suicide Prevention Research, director of the Suicide Prevention Research Unit, and instrumental in developing predictive algorithms using social media signals.