Demystifying anxiety and schizophrenia: Add these mental health podcasts to your playlist
At BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services, we know that mental health disorders are complex. Often, they are misunderstood and this can contribute to stigma.
Two of the BC Partners, Anxiety Canada and the BC Schizophrenia Society, are producing podcasts about mental health and mental illness to help educate the public in an engaging, entertaining way, and to reduce stigma.
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#OurAnxietyStories, produced by Anxiety Canada, has been running since October 2019. Now approaching its 40th episode, it features interviews with well-known Canadians living with anxiety, including Bruno Feldeisen, a chef and “Great Canadian Baking Show” judge, and Charlie Demers, a writer and comedian, as well as mental health experts and advocates from across the country. In each 30-40 minute episode, John Bateman, the host, interviews guests about their experiences with anxiety, how it impacts them and how they have learned to manage it.
Listen now on Spotify, or visit the Anxiety Canada website for a full episode archive.
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Another podcast to check out is "Look Again: Mental Illness Re-Examined." Produced by the BC Schizophrenia Society, this new series explores mental illnesses including schizophrenia, unpacking the causes, effects, misconceptions and treatments available. Hosted by Faydra Aldridge, the CEO of BC Schizophrenia Society, “Look Again” features experts, including BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services’ own Dr. Nick Mathew, as well as people who have lived experience of psychosis and mental illness. Each episode is centred on a different aspect of schizophrenia, such as mental health vs. mental illness, hearing voices, does cannabis cause schizophrenia?, and schizophrenia and COVID-19.
Listen on Spotify or on the BC Schizophrenia Society website.
There are a number of other interesting and entertaining podcasts available that challenge the stigma around schizophrenia and serious mental illness. If you’re interested in adding more to your podcast playlist, check out the following:
- Pop Psych 101
- Refreshingly Human
- Complex Trauma Recovery; We are Traumatized Motherfxckes
- Canadian Medical Association Journal
Both Anxiety Canada and BC Schizophrenia Society are two of the BC Partners for Mental Health and Substance Use Information, a coalition of seven non-profit organizations working together to activate knowledge for healthier individuals, families, and communities across British Columbians.
“These podcasts are two great examples of our BC Partners finding new and exciting ways to connect with people to help build mental health literacy across the province,” says Deborah Ross, the provincial director of strategic initiatives at BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services. “The BC Partners work together collaboratively to provide information and resources in ways that are practical, relevant, and meaningful for people. By raising awareness and tackling topics that are often misunderstood and yet affect so many, these organizations are opening up important conversations, building understanding, and helping to end the stigma associated with mental health and substance use.”
Anxiety Canada is a leader in developing free online, self-help, and evidence-based resources on anxiety. BC Schizophrenia Society is an organization dedicated to supporting people with schizophrenia, educating the public, raising funds for research and advocating for better services for people with serious and persistent mental illness.