Fear

Community Violence Affects Children's Brains, Parents Can Do Something About It

Exposure to violence from a young age can have detrimental effects. During the developmental period, children are continuously absorbing information around them, which shapes their understanding of the world. Research has found that children raised in disadvantaged neighbourhoods often face challenges academically, behaviourally, and mentally. A recent study revealed how neighbourhood-level adversity may also play […]

Staying

Lizzy McAlpine, a singer, songwriter, and producer, contributes to the large body of alternative and indie wistful music. Her third studio album, “Other,” is a full embodiment of raw vulnerability. McAlpine narrates a breakup throughout this project, one in particular being her sixth track on the album. Staying.  The beginning of the song begins with […]

When Did I Become So Scared?

The poem, “When Did I Become So Scared?” by Anita Campbell, powerfully captures the haunting moment of realizing you’re living with anxiety. Additionally, it is an exploration of all of the rational and irrational fears that are experienced when anxiety is present. Whether it's the fear of embarrassing oneself in a social setting or fearing […]

Haunted by the Mind: Living with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

For many, the phrase “just a little OCD” is tossed around casually. It’s used to describe tidy desks, alphabetized spice racks and symmetrical picture frames. But for those who live with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), the reality is far from playful. It is not a quirk, it’s a haunting. OCD is often misunderstood as an obsession […]

The Complexity of ADHD in Relationships

James Arthur’s song “ADHD”  explores the reality of relationship difficulties for someone living with ADHD. He explores the dichotomy between wanting to be loved and the fear of burdening a partner with their mental health struggles. In an interview, James mentions that his battle with ADHD is something that many people do not understand, but […]

Fighting Monsters Within: Journeying Towards a Life Outside the Bubble

”What do you want from me?” Sebastian asks. ”What do you want for you?” the troll asks. ”I want it to stop hurting”, Sebastian asks. ”What?” the troll asks. ”You should know, if you’ve been inside me. Everything. I want everything to stop hurting”, Sebastian begs. The troll doesn’t lie to him then. Sebastian really […]

Experiences of War Refugees

Zarlasht Halaimzai knows well the traumatic effects that war can create on people's physical and mental health. She was just a child when she experienced violence and war in her home country, Afghanistan, and when her family decided to escape in search of a safer place. In the Ted Talk called What it’s like to […]

The Fear of the Dark

In a movie recently released on Netflix, they dive into the world of the night. They did so by personifying darkness (the Dark) and his friends, the Night Entities. This film is called “Orion and the Dark ''. It's main premise is the Dark taking Orion on an adventure with him so he will stop […]

For Organ Transplant Hopefuls, An Excruciating Wait

Organ transplants are on the rise. In Canada alone, transplant surgeries have increased by 22% from 2011 to 2020. But wait times make for great uncertainty and stress. Five years ago, Frank (name changed for anonymity) was put on an organ donation waitlist, which can take from 5 to 10 years. He and his wife […]

Basket Case

We all have experienced fear and worry at times in our lives, but for those who suffer from an anxiety disorder, these emotions are intense, disproportionate, and difficult to control. When anxiety disorders are left untreated, the distress associated with them can last a longtime and affect aspects of a person's life.  Green Day lead […]