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Disclosures: Ditch The Lab Coat podcast is produced by (Podkind.co) and is independent of Dr. Bonta's teaching and research roles at McMaster University, Temerty Faculty of Medicine and Queens University. 

 In today's episode, host Dr. Mark Bonta sits down with the esteemed Dr. Sanjeev Sockalingam, a champion of mental health integration and connection with roles at the University of Toronto and CAMH. Together, they delve into the critical importance of destigmatizing mental health, emphasizing equal treatment for mental and physical health impairments.

From practical self-care approaches and the impact of social determinants on wellness to the challenge of balancing extreme cases and everyday stress, Dr. Sockalingam shares profound insights. They humorously touch on screening calls and the evolution of talk therapy, while seriously addressing the rising mental health crisis linked to technology and social media.

Join us as we explore the intricacies of mental health care, the importance of finding purpose and meaning, and the evolving landscape of therapy. Dr. Bonta's reflections and personal experiences add depth, making this episode not just informative but also deeply personal and inspiring. Let's dive in and start destigmatizing mental health together!

Timestamps :
05:24 War fosters collective purpose for mental health.
07:27 Historical rates of mental health conditions compared.
10:30 DSM: Standardizing mental health diagnosis for consensus.
13:42 People using phones to seek dopamine release.
17:46 Understanding mental health conditions making normal abnormal.
22:16 Setting routines and physical health improve mental wellness.
24:56 Adopting healthy habits is challenging despite awareness.
27:14 Social determinants of health affect patient care.
29:47 Contrasting extremes of poverty and wealth in health.
33:19 Control and purpose combat burnout and distress.
37:13 Transitioning to retirement, finding new purpose.
40:32 Psychological treatments, research, and therapeutic alliance importance.
44:45 Setting boundaries, targeting, and intervening in therapy.
46:08 Being informed about mental health professionals is important.
50:02 Discussion on prevalence and funding disparity in healthcare.
56:18 Finding purpose, maintaining mental health through conversation.
57:32 Feedback welcome for interesting, understandable healthcare guest talks.