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A Way Forward: Conversations on Mental Health

A Way Forward: Conversations on Mental Health

By: CMHA Kelowna and Jessica Samuels
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 A Way Forward podcast, presented by Beem Credit Union, examines the challenges that can wear down our individual and collective mental health. Host Jessica Samuels focusses on the stressors, the core issues and contributing factors, and the approaches and practices that can help address these issues. Listeners will leave feeling they have the information and tools to better manager their well-being and able to find...a way forward.© 2025 CMHA Kelowna and Jessica Samuels Hygiene & Healthy Living Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Episode 16: Corey Hirsch

    Episode 16: Corey Hirsch
    Sep 24 2025

    In this powerful episode of A Way Forward, host Jessica Samuels sits down with Corey Hirsch — former NHL goaltender, Stanley Cup champion, Olympic silver medalist, broadcaster, and mental health advocate.

    From the outside, Corey seemed to be living the dream at the height of his hockey career. But behind the mask, he was struggling with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and suicidal thoughts that nearly cost him his life.

    Corey opens up about:
    -The hidden reality of living with OCD while playing in the NHL.
    -Why stigma kept him silent for over 20 years.
    -How sharing his 2017 Players’ Tribune article, “Dark, Dark, Dark”, changed the conversation for him and countless others.
    -The importance of being “that person” someone can talk to without judgment.
    -The tools he uses today to manage his mental health, from therapy and medication to exercise, meditation, and community.

    This candid and inspiring conversation reminds us that talking about our struggles saves lives — and that healing begins when we break the silence.

    ✨ Key takeaway: Mental health is health. Be the person someone can turn to.

    Resources & Links:
    Dark Dark Dark - https://www.theplayerstribune.com/articles/corey-hirsch-dark-dark-dark
    You are not alone - https://www.theplayerstribune.com/articles/corey-hirsch-you-are-not-alone
    Canucks Hockey Talks Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOmVmAIXX7Y
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOmVmAIXX7Y

    Learn more about OCD at www.cmhakelowna.org

    If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, call or text 9-8-8 in Canada to connect with suicide prevention support.

    🎧 A Way Forward is presented by Beem Credit Union, with deep roots in BC and a commitment to supporting strong, healthy communities.
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    30 mins
  • Episode 15: Workplace Mental Health pt. 2

    Episode 15: Workplace Mental Health pt. 2
    Jun 11 2025
    In this follow-up to Episode 11, host Jessica Samuels continues her conversation with CMHA Kelowna's Director of People, Culture & Engagement, Candace Giesbrecht.The focus of this episode is burnout and its relationship to the workplace. Candace and Jessica dive deeper into what burnout looks like, how it manifests in professional environments, and how organizations and individuals can begin to address it.Topics Covered:- The definition and symptoms of burnout- How burnout differs from general workplace stress- The systemic and organizational contributors to burnout- What workplaces can do to prevent burnout- The importance of psychological safety and leadership- How employees can advocate for their well-beingRESOURCESBurnouthttps://cpa.ca/psychology-works-fact-sheet-workplace-burnout/https://www.apa.org/topics/healthy-workplaces/workplace-burnouthttps://www.canada.ca/en/government/publicservice/wellness-inclusion-diversity-public-service/health-wellness-public-servants/mental-health-workplace/preventing-burnout.htmlhttps://workplacementalhealth.org/employer-resources/infographics/infographic-beating-burnout-at-work Non-workplace Burnouthttps://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/burnout#:~:text=These%20forms%20of%20burnout%20are,that%20caused%20by%20career%20stresshttps://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/mental-health-workplace.htmlhttps://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-health-at-workhttps://cpa.ca/psychology-works-fact-sheet-mental-health-and-the-workplace/https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/psychosocial/mh/mentalhealth_address.htmlhttps://mentalhealthcommission.ca/what-we-do/workplace/ Stats on MH in workplacehttps://cmha.ca/what-we-do/national-programs/workplace-mental-health/takeaways/https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-health-at-workhttps://www.mhrc.ca/workplace-mental-healthhttps://www.mhrc.ca/psychological-health-and-safety-2024 Achieving and Maintaining MH in the workplace https://13factors.ca/13-factors#:~:text=13%20psychosocial%20risk%20factors%20were,manager%20mental%20health%20and%20wellbeing.https://mentalhealthcommission.ca/13-factors-addressing-mental-health-in-the-workplace/https://mentalhealthcommission.ca/national-standard/https://www.workplacestrategiesformentalhealth.com/resources/guarding-minds-at-workhttps://www.guardingmindsatwork.ca/https://www.cmhakelowna.com/education-training/workplace-traininghttps://peopleworkingwellbc.ca/https://www.ccohs.ca/healthymindshttps://peopleworkingwellbc.ca/mental-health-for/hospitality-tourism/https://peopleworkingwellbc.ca/mental-health-for/community-social-services/https://peopleworkingwellbc.ca/mental-health-for/healthcare/Thank you for tuning in to A Way Forward Podcast! If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe and share it with others who may benefit. Stay tuned for more conversations on mental health in future episodes.Follow CMHA Kelowna:Website: CMHA KelownaInstagram: @cmhakelownaFacebook: CMHA KelownaA Way Forward Podcast is proudly presented by Beem Credit Union. BlueShore Financial, GFCU Savings, Gulf & Fraser, Interior Savings, and North Peace Savings are trade names of Beem Credit Union.
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    23 mins
  • Episode 14: Debt & Mental Health

    Episode 14: Debt & Mental Health
    May 14 2025
    In this powerful episode, Jessica Samuels and Mike Gawliuk sit down with Maggie Sinclair from Beam Credit Union to unpack the current reality of debt in Canada—and the deep mental health impacts that often come with it. With household debt hitting record highs and many Canadians living just $200 away from insolvency, the conversation covers the emotional toll of financial strain, stigma, and the hard choices people are forced to make.Maggie sheds light on how seemingly small financial decisions—like “buy now, pay later” services—can spiral into overwhelming debt. Mike brings a mental health lens to the issue, connecting debt to anxiety, depression, social isolation, and the broader issue of poverty. Together, the trio discusses practical strategies to help manage debt and protect mental well-being, from budgeting and debt consolidation to knowing when to seek professional help.Key Topics Covered:The current state of household debt in CanadaThe hidden nature of modern debt (subscriptions, BNPL services)Emotional and psychological effects of debtThe stigma and shame often attached to financial hardshipHow debt can exacerbate existing mental health issuesSocial isolation and poverty as compounding factorsPractical advice: budgeting, talking to your financial institution, debt management optionsThe pros and cons of consolidation loans and bankruptcyImportance of financial literacy and seeking trustworthy support** ResourcesRising Debt for Canadians https://www.castanet.net/news/Kelowna/527552/Debt-doubts-are-mounting-across-Canada-and-the-Okanagan-is-no-different#527552https://globalnews.ca/news/10946620/credit-card-debt-transunion-report/https://financialpost.com/news/canada-household-debt-hits-new-recordhttps://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/11-631-x/11-631-x2024002-eng.htmhttps://newsroom.transunion.ca/despite-interest-rate-cuts-more-than-1-in-4-canadians-expect-to-be-unable-to-pay-bills--yet-more-than-1-in-5-plan-to-take-on-more-debt/ Debt & MHhttps://www.ivey.uwo.ca/impact/read/2024/08/breaking-the-silence-on-canada-s-hidden-debt-crisis/https://www.bankofcanada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/san2024-5.pdfhttps://money.com/is-debt-impacting-your-mental-health/https://creditlift.ca/the-link-between-mental-health-and-debt-in-canada-understanding-the-connection-and-finding-solutions/https://crowemackayco.ca/b/how-debt-can-affect-your-personal-relationships-understanding-the-link-between-finances-and-romance/https://mnpdebt.ca/en/resources/mnp-debt-blog/canadians-inflation-isolation-rising-costs-mental-health-loneliness-isolation-stress-anxietyhttps://www.moneyandmentalhealth.org/money-and-mental-health-facts/ Debt Managementhttps://www.creditcanada.com/blog/how-to-get-out-of-debt-on-a-low-income-10-strategieshttps://point.com/blog/how-to-manage-debt-effectivelyhttps://ised-isde.canada.ca/site/office-consumer-affairs/en/money-debt-and-giving/six-steps-get-out-debt Debt payoff servicesCredit CanadaCredit Counselling Society Using Debt Settlement Serviceshttps://www.canada.ca/en/financial-consumer-agency/services/debt/debt-settlement-company.htmlThank you for tuning in to A Way Forward Podcast! If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe and share it with others who may benefit. Stay tuned for more conversations on mental health in future episodes.Follow CMHA Kelowna:Website: CMHA KelownaInstagram: @cmhakelownaFacebook: CMHA KelownaA Way Forward Podcast is proudly presented by Beem Credit Union. BlueShore Financial, GFCU Savings, Gulf & Fraser, Interior Savings, and North Peace Savings are trade names of Beem Credit Union.
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    25 mins
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