Hi friends! In today's episode, we're starting a series with Cruz + T! This series is called "Raising Mental Health Awareness" and we'll be chatting about all things mental health – from disorders, to therapy, to how to get diagnosed, to the health care system.

In Part 1 we get to learn who Cruz and T are, chat about what mental health means to us, learn about their disorders and cry together. We also talk about how our mental health affects us as creatives.

Sending so much love and appreciation to Cruz + T for doing this series with me! Support their creative work on Instagram, Cruz @vnyvc (https://www.instagram.com/vnyvc​) & T @itsbbtea (https://www.instagram.com/itsbbtea​). Listen to the Creating Strong Ties podcast on YouTube, Deezer, Spotify, Apple Podcast (http://linktr.ee/creatingstrongties​).

We hope that having these conversations and sharing our own experiences helps educate others and help those who are feeling the way we are. You are strong to ask for help. You are beautiful. You are loved. Below are some mental health resources.



Thank you so much to my friend Josh for letting me use his beats. Find him on SoundCloud as Owa! 👀 https://m.soundcloud.com/owa-ever. Stay updated with us on https://solo.to/speakuperika! 🌸

Free therapy (people living in Ontario)

💐 MindBeacon https://info.mindbeacon.com​​

💐 Abiliti CBT https://myicbt.com​​

GTA: 416-408-HELP (4357)

Peel: 905-459-7777

CAMH: https://www.camh.ca/en/health-info/cr...​

Toronto Crisis Lines (suicide, depression, phone support, non-crisis, mental health services):

https://www.toronto.ca/311/knowledgeb​...

More resources from the "Creating Strong Ties" Podcast:

Canada National Mental Health Crisis Hotline – 1 (833) 456-4566

OR text “CONNECT” to 686868/74

Call Centres:

- Crisis Outreach And Support Team (COAST) – 1-877-825-9011 (24/7)

-Mental health helpline – 1-866-531-2600 www.mentalhealthhelpline.ca

- Drugs and Alcohol Helpline – 1-800-565-8603 www.drugandalcoholhelpline.ca

- ADAPT (Halton Alcohol, Drugs, Gambling) - 905-639-6537 ext. 0

Accessible & Affordable Therapy - Ontario

Access CAMH

Affordable Therapy Network of Toronto

Friends of Ruby

Halton Centre for Cognitive Therapy & Stress Reduction

Hard Feelings Mental Health

Ontario Psychological Association's Disaster Response

Stella's Place

Tangerine Walk-in Counselling

The Create Clinic

Women's College Hospital