Volume 50, Issue 6 by The Medium

The Independent Student Newspaper of the University of Toronto Mississauga since 1974

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LAURA TOVAR/THE MEDIUM

Issue 6 Volume 50 October 17 2023

NEWS

Editor | Larry Lau news@themedium.ca

The pursuit of work-life integration Changing times and conditions have led to increased awareness for mental wellbeing at work and redefined job expectations. Larry Lau News Editor

tress is always present in our lives. While small amounts of stress can fuel our motivation and determination, large amounts of it is detrimental to our physical and mental health. And a very notable source of stress is none other than work. A Statistics Canada report released in June 2023 revealed that over 4.1 million people, or about 21 per cent of Canada’s employed population, reported high work-related stress. The Medium spoke to Dr. Rafael Chiuzi, an organizational psychologist and Assistant Professor of Organizational Behaviour at the University of Toronto Mississauga, to dissect what work stress is all about. “Work is rarely a place of comfort. Work is where you are presented with challenges,” stated Dr. Chiuzi. Work stress can result from peers’ and bosses’ behaviour, the nature of the job, and various other factors. Many of these stressors were present both before and after Covid-19, and cannot be removed. However, the pandemic drove changes to the workplace in the form of mental health awareness. “People are now more aware of what mental health means, and some of the things that we used to take it for granted or we never addressed them as a mental health issue—now we know that they are in fact affecting our mental health,” explained Dr. Chiuzi. As more research has been done over the years, researchers are now moving away from the concept of work-life balance—a concept that separates work and life, focusing on balancing aspects of personal life and work. They are now moving towards work-life integration—a concept that recognizes that personal life and work are connected and can be combined to improve flexibility and employee satisfaction. Newer policies and attitudes are allowing employees to create coping mechanisms to deal with innate work stressors. For example, flexible work hours allow employees to address their personal needs without compromising their work, options for remote work reduce stress related to commuting, and the 4-day work week piloted in some countries and companies improve productivity and employee satisfaction.

The return to office policies of organizations—some as encouragement, some as enforcement— exemplify the backtracking of some workplace changes driven by Covid-19. This occurs partly as the result of recognizing the importance of social connections. However, Dr. Chiuzi explains that “Most companies now have some flexibilityembedded into the job design,” and a complete return to inperson work is unlikely. The changes to the workplace also relate to the younger workforce’s different job expectations arising from new work conditions they face. “I think that some notions like self-care [and] advocacy […] are far more peculiar to a younger workforce,” stated Dr. Chiuzi. He explained that the younger workforce is also more intent on finding work that connects with them and is meaningful. We are living in a world that has changed economically, socially, and in many other ways. Notably, the younger workforce is living in an era full of layoffs and unaffordable costs of living. According to Statistics Canada, the percentage of employed people holding multiple jobs increased steadily from about 2 per cent in 1976 to around 5 per cent in 2021, barring a drop during 2020 due to the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. Dr. Chiuzi explained that a “not-so-great work scenario” has led to fewer available full-time opportunities and more part-time jobs, fuelling what could be known as job insecurity—or could be known as the creation of a new norm. With this, company loyalty and commitment are inapplicable to employees due to a lack of reciprocity in current times. At the end of the day, there are companies who care for their employee’s mental wellbeing, but there are many that masquerade as caring. “I think it would be unrealistic to expect a lot of accommoda tions from the majority of employers,” concluded Dr. Chiuzi. He noted that there are employers that have good accommodations and mental health practices, and some are catching up. Receiving mental health accommodations and support from an employer in contemporary times is still an exception—one that hopefully transitions into a new norm for the workplace.

Stigma towards mental health remains an obstacle to healing Stigma surrounding mental health and substance use issues in Canada continues to present barriers towards seeking assistance and recovery. Angelina Jaya Siew Contributor

According to a 2023 survey by the Mental Health Commission of Canada—a not-for-profit organization established by the Canadian Government to research mental health matters—the issue of stigma continues to be a prevalent concern for individuals dealing with mental health or substance use disorders.

Looking at a population of more than 4,000 Canadians, almost half of whom “disclosed they were living with a mental health or substance use disorder,” 95 per cent of survey respondents reported that they had experienced the effects of stigma within the last five years. Notably, 72 per cent of those expressed feelings of self-stigma through harboring self-critical thoughts. In addition to these findings, 40 per cent of respondents revealed that they faced stigmatization while receiving treatment. The survey’s research backgrounder also found that “Canadians expect individuals with mental health or substance use disorders to be devalued and discriminated against” on a daily basis. Respondents from this survey identified the implementation of improved access to mental health care and resources, whether preventative or ongoing, as well as reduction of stigma as initiatives that should receive the highest priority. When considering the issue of mental illness, what does the term “stigma” truly mean? Stigma describes processes or views through which a person is ridiculed or belittled because they struggle with some form of mental illness. Stigma arises due to the widespread misunderstanding of the nature of mental illnesses or the harboring of negative biases against it. For example, someone with an anxiety disorder may be told they need to be braver and bolder, or they may have depression and be told that they need to cheer up or “snap out of it.” Treating someone differently, belittling them with labels like “quirky” or “temperamental,” excluding them from participation in group activities, and stereotyping all create stigma and negatively affect someone suffering from mental illness. In all its forms, creating stigmas and using these harsh labels not only discriminates against others, but suppresses their desire to seek help for fear of ridicule and embarrassment.

How can we address the stigma surrounding mental health issues? According to the Mental Health Commission of Canada’s magazine, The Catalyst, the answer lies in creating a culture where “seeking help is a sign of strength — not weakness — and […] mental health is just as important as physical health.” Stigma is also extremely harmful to those suffering from substance use problems for several reasons. It prevents a person from seeking help for their addiction, causes them to conceal their drug use, affects their ability to access housing and jobs, and can even lead to these individuals receiving a lower quality treatment from healthcare systems.

With regards to opioid use, recent statistics have illustrated that Canada is far from faring well. From January to December 2022, an average of 20 people died daily due to opioid overdose. Therefore, it is necessary to change the way society discusses drugs and drug users in order to reduce stigma. This can be as simple as using kinder words, which encourages individuals to harbour trust in those around them and seek help. For example, instead of referring to an individual as a “drug addict,” the term “people with substance use problems” is more appropriate. Remember that a person is never defined by their drug use or mental health issues. Educating friends and family, challenging stereotypes, and showing respect and compassion to those struggling with substance abuse or mental health disorders is critical in helping them to find the road to recovery and bettering our society.

Canada to allow people with mental illness to request medical assistance in dying Is Canada making it too easy for the vulnerable to die? Maryam Lela Contributor

edical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) is a legal process that allows individuals with certain incurable illnesses to receive drugs that are meant to cause their death.

MAiD has been legal in Canada since 2016 for individuals who meet certain conditions. Conditions required to be eligible for MAiD include being 18 years old or older, having the mental capacity to make and understand one’s decisions, and being in an advanced state of physical or psychological pain, which cannot be cured in a way the patient deems acceptable. The patient must also consent to receive MAiD out of their own free will and not with anyone pressuring them to do so. Since the initiation of MAiD in 2016, the number of patients requesting MAiD has gradually increased per year. As of 2021, deaths caused by MAiD in Canada accounted for just over 3 per cent of all Canadian deaths. At the moment, those suffering from mental illnesses, such as depression and personality disorders, are not considered eligible to receive MAiD in Canada, unless they also suffer from a physical condition. However, the Canadian government has declared that, starting in March of 2024, MAiD will be accessible to individuals who suffer solely from a mental illness. Only those with mental illnesses that fall into the category of psychiatry, such as depression, schizophrenia, and personality disorders, will be eligible for MAiD. Those with neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism or learning disabilities (which are distinct from mental illnesses), will not be eligible. The new law will make Canada one of the few countries in the world to allow MAiD for those without a terminal illness. Justice Minister David Lametti told CBC in February 2023 that the reason for the new law’s delayed 2024 start date is that the Canadian government needed more time to “get this right,” adding that “the proposed one-year expansion is necessary to ensure that we move forward on this sensitive and complex issue in a prudent and measured way.”

To ensure patient safety, several safeguards are in place before a patient can receive MAiD. For one, requests for MAiD must be written down and signed by at least one independent witness. Additionally, at least two doctors or nurse practitioners must confirm that the patient meets all the requirements. The patient must also be informed that they have the freedom to change their minds about receiving MAiD at any time. Although Canada’s proposed MAiD law is considered a form of progress for some, there has been significant controversy regarding it. In 2021, a group of United Nations experts warned the Canadian government that allowing people who suffer from mental illnesses to request MAiD can give off a dangerous message to society, which is that having a mental disability is considered “worse than death.” Another concern is that many cases may not only be matters of mental health but may be exacerbated by economic instability or living situations that are detrimental to their condition. If these factors are not clearly distinguished, the new MAiD law may disproportionately affect those with mental illness for whom society has failed to provide adequate resources for recovery—such as those who are concurrently facing financial burdens, like poverty or homelessness, or social challenges, like extreme loneliness or isolation. In a 2022 National Post article, psychiatrist Dr. Sisco van Veen stated that doctors also find it difficult to identify which kinds of mental illnesses are considered incurable and would therefore warrant MAiD. Most mental illnesses are not visible on a scan the way many physical diseases like cancer are. This means doctors cannot clearly determine the prognosis of a patient struggling with mental illness. “All you have is the patient’s story,” he explained. As the date for the updated MAiD law approaches, lawmakers and physicians have difficult and controversial discussions ahead of them regarding the safety and ethicality of the proposed law.

Promoting consent culture at U of T Poor mental health can be associated with a higher risk of facing sexual assault. Vanessa Bogacki Contributor

According to a Statistics Canada report released in 2022 based on 2018 data, 15 per cent of people suffering from “mental health-related disabilities” were victims of sexual violence at some point throughout the previous year. This far exceeds the six per cent for those with non-mental health-imposed disabilities and five per cent for those without disabilities. However, as victims of sexual violence are more likely to have existing mental health conditions worsen, these statistics become part of a never-ending cycle. At U of T, sexual violence prevention is valued highly. With reports of sexual harassment appearing on campus, U of T has been finding ways to end such harassment and keep its students safe during their studies at the institution. This August, U of T launched its online sexual violence education and prevention training modules, which are intended to educate the institution’s students on what consent and sexual violence are. Furthermore, the module discusses how students can set healthy boundaries and determine safe practices in relationships. The module then provides examples of situations in which sexual violence may occur. Interested students may enroll for the module via Quercus by selecting the Sexual Violence Prevention and Education Course card found within a student’s dashboard. Being targeted by sexual violence can have lasting effects on individuals throughout their lives, which may make it difficult to speak out. U of T has virtual groups that allow survivors to come together to share their experiences. Notably, Healing Hearts is a group for survivors to gather and heal through their experiences as a community. This group meets monthly from September 28,

2023 to November 21, 2023. U of T further encourages students to reach out to the Sexual Violence Prevention & Support Centre (SVPS Centre) to ensure that students have access to the resources they need. The SVPS Centre has a location on each U of T campus and provides a safe place for students, staff, and faculty who have faced sexual violence or harassment to access resources like counselling, medical services, various accommodations, and legal help. Additionally, the SVPS Centre provides training and workshops for those who would like to learn about how we can prevent sexual violence as a community. There are various initiatives and resources at U of T to recognize sexual violence survivors and aid them in speaking up about their experiences. Survivors are encouraged to seek help both within and outside of the institution and seek community with other understanding individuals.

Cybervictimization: a growing concern for mental health among Canadian youth In the wake of Statistics Canada’s eye-opening report, deeper insights into the pervasive issue of cybervictimization among Canadian youth have surfaced. Sukaina Rizvi Contributor

n September 2023, Statistics Canada released a health report highlighting cybervictimization as a potentially severe threat to the mental well-being of Canadian adolescents. Using 2019 data, the report indicated that certain vulnerable groups, such as those belonging to minority gender and sexual identities or races, were at higher risk of cybervictimization.

The survey found that 47.3 per cent of transgender or non-binary adolescents faced cybervictimization, compared to 24.5 per cent for their cisgender peers. Indigenous adolescents from the First Nations, the Métis, and the Inuk faced the highest rates of cybervictimization of all population groups, ranging between 30.1 to 34.5 per cent. Similarly, 31.5 per cent of adolescents attracted to the same gender or who are questioning their sexual orientation reported cybervictimization, as compared to 26.0 per cent for their exclusively heterosexual peers. Regardless, adolescents exposed to cybervictimization all faced similar mental health issues, with LGBTQ+ adolescents—especially LGBTQ+ females—targeted by homophobic victimization and individuals between the ages of 15 and 17 experiencing especially detrimental effects. Cybervictimization, often in the form of online bullying and harassment, leaves deep scars that can have long-lasting impacts, including stress and anxiety. Victims face an increased risk of depression and other mental health-related issues and may find it difficult to make friends in the future. As for young adults, the threat persists. With the increasing need for communication and social interaction on digital platforms, individuals aged 18 to 29 remain vulnerable to online harassment. While some efforts have been made to address cybervictimization, the existing safeguards are inadequate. Social media platforms such as Instagram have implemented reporting mechanisms and launched anti-bullying campaigns, yet the problem persists. The anonymity and vastness of the internet make it challenging to enforce regulations effectively. While most victims of cyberbullying are aware of the identity of their perpetrators, the anonymity and vastness of the internet can still make it challenging. Regardless, the report underscores the need for a more comprehensive approach to addressing and understanding cybervictimization. Reducing cybervictimization requires the cooperation of schools, parents and guardians, policymakers, and online platform companies. Education plays a crucial role, both in schools and within communities. Promoting empathy, respect, and digital citizenship can help create a culture of understanding and acceptance. Parents and guardians should engage in open conversations with their children about internet safety and mental health, fostering a supportive environment for discussing cyberbullying experiences.

Online platforms must also implement stricter policies and mechanisms to report and address cyberbullying promptly. Technology companies must develop tools to detect and prevent cyberbullying, with enforced penalties for violations, creating a safer online environment for users. In Canada, legislation exists to hold perpetrators accountable for their actions, acting as a deterrent against online harassment. Additionally, support services are accessible for victims, offering them the necessary assistance to cope with the emotional toll of online harassment and prevent further cyberbullying. Cybervictimization is not just a passing trend; it is a pervasive issue deeply impacting the mental health of Canadian youth. Through education, raising awareness, and offering support, Canadians across the country can work towards addressing cybervictimization.

MASTHEAD EDITORIAL BOARD

OPINION

Editor | Kareena Kailass opinion@themedium.ca

Editor-in-Chief Juliana Stacey editor@themedium.ca Managing Editors River Knott & Aidan Thompson managing@themedium.ca & managinginternal@themedium.ca News Larry Lau news@themedium.ca Opinion Kareena Kailass opinion@themedium.ca Features Prisha (Maneka) Nuckchady features@themedium.ca A&E Alisa Samuel arts@themedium.ca Sports Omar Khan sports@themedium.ca Photo Samira Karimova photos@themedium.ca Design Laura Tovar design@themedium.ca Copy Ricardo Jaroslav Valdes jaros@themedium.ca Maja Ting maja@themedium.ca Social Media & Online Belicia Chevolleau social@themedium.ca Video Nikolas Towsey video@themedium.ca

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You are not alone Juliana Stacey Editor-in-Chief

ast year, we published an editorial for our Mental Health Awareness issue that discussed the importance of mental health care as a form of healthcare. Normally, we don’t like to publish anything from year-to-year that overlaps—we tend to gravitate toward pushing new content where we can. However, sitting down in front of this computer to write to you all, I couldn’t help but return to last year’s message.

situation himself, and that talking to someone about it was the best thing he ever could have done for himself. While initially reluctant, I did end up taking his advice, and I can honestly tell you that it made a bigger difference than I ever could have expected.

I’m not someone that easily asks for help. I’m the kind of person who will do everything in my power to push through with a smile on my face, often putting my mental health or self-care on the backburner in the process. I have struggled with my mental health for my entire life, but that wasn’t something I had ever reached out for assistance with. Not until last year.

I didn’t think this experience, and my mental health in general, would be something that I would ever be so open about. But sitting down to write this editorial, I realized that the biggest bit of help I’ve ever received was being told that I didn’t have to go through this alone. Knowing that someone understood me, that someone had gone through similar experiences and saw noticeable improvement, made all the difference in making the choice to reach out for a little bit of help.

After a string of unfortunate and stressful events, I was at the lowest point I’d ever been. Still, I kept a full course load, two part-time jobs, and told people I was totally fine and not to worry. A good friend of mine sat down with me and told me about his past experiences with mental health issues, which largely paralleled my own. He told me that he had been in this

So, if you take anything from the pages of this issue, I hope that it’s that no one is alone in their struggles with mental health. Contrary to what it might feel like at the time, there is always someone out there that understands you. And, while it might feel stressful or scary or even awkward, reaching out for help is more than okay—sometimes, it’s necessary.

There’s no such thing as “normal” mental health If so many of us suffer from mental illness, why do we still feel inadequate for struggling? Silas Liening Contributor

“

Stigma” is a word we often use to explain why people who struggle with anxiety or depression don’t seek treatment. The stigmas around mental health take many different forms, from a fear of being judged to feelings of personal responsibility. These stigmas mean that sometimes individuals with mental health issues refrain from seeking any treatment. People continue to suffer because of a misunderstanding over what a mental illness is and how the condition can be improved. In this article, I will try to support the conversation around mental health stigmas by shedding light on the ideas of “normal” mental health. I am not here to tell you

what is normal, because the person that is the most “normal” is a statistical outlier themself. People vary; they see the gold and white dress as blue and black, hear “Yanny” or “Laurel,” and vividly remember different events and facts that matter to them and never to others. We are all inherently very different, psychologically speaking. Nonetheless, there seems to be an ideal state of mind when it comes to being happy, not stressed out, or philanthropic and sociable. Where these notions come from, I do not know. Maybe they originate in everyone’s head, or maybe they are propagated by large corporations that get you to buy products because they sell the idea that their product will make you a happy or moral individual. But there is no ideal state of mind. There are only differ-

ent states of mind that are all equally valid. In my view, the key to destigmatizing mental health is to acknowledge that we are allowed to be stressed out, to hate working on labs, to just want to huddle under blankets as it gets cold and dark. It’s okay to feel bad emotions—they are real as well. Mental health stigmas derive from the idea to feel depressed, anxious, or lonely is to be an outsider. But considering that it is estimated that 20 per cent of all Canadians will have some form of mental illness in any given year—and I haven’t even touched on culturally dependent stigmas regarding LGBTQ2+ issues, culture differences in mental health acceptance and awareness, and so forth—I daresay it is just as normal to be mentally unwell than it is to be well. So why are we so vigilant

about wanting to be healthy and well? Well, that is difficult to answer. Maybe it is our genetic drive to survive. Maybe it lies in our nature as humans to want to feel well and submit to hedonism, which requires the absence of illness. Maybe we want to be like the people we see on social media: perfectly healthy and doing well. Or maybe it is something else entirely. Regardless, despite our instinct to want to feel good, it is just as common for any human to struggle with feelings of pain, sadness, anger, fear, stress, and lonliness.

Midterm season: A foe or friend to our mental health? Little ways to have fun and prevent burnout during midterm season. Fariha Shimu Contributor

Gratitude is a Perspective

ueled by tons of caffeine and equal amounts of cortisol, I tell myself: “Take it one day at a time.” Except, I find myself saying this every day for four consecutive weeks. As I’m sure many of us can relate to, midterm season is the bane of our existence. Our social lives come to a standstill. Our sleep schedules become non-existent. But perhaps it’s our mental health that takes the hardest hit during this time. Amidst the string of all-nighters and caffeine-induced jitters, I try to find things that can provide some solace in these trying times. Something as simple as reaching out to a friend and griping about how much we have to study, all while procrastinating the three lectures I have to review, can be enough. Some days, I may resort to getting myself a little treat. For some of my friends, this may look like squeezing in a workout at the gym or baking cookies while going over flashcards. Knowing that I can easily give myself something to look forward to in my day, apart from studying, allows me to create temporary distance and eases the feelings of intimidation I may feel towards tackling my to-do list. The way I study is also an important means of stress management during midterm season. I personally love the Pomodoro technique for this reason. The Pomodoro technique is a structured study technique, which entails giving yourself a 5-minute break after 25 minutes of studying, also known as a Pomodoro session. One may give themselves a longer break after three consecutive Pomodoros. I may change the amount of time as needed, but I find that this works best for me to prevent burnout. Giving myself frequent breaks helps give me something to look forward to. Sometimes, I may get intimidated just thinking about all the lecture notes I have to get through, but studying in this way makes things more manageable. The environment in which I study is also a factor which may improve my mental health and the quality of my studying. Depending on the course, I may book a study room and tackle problems with my friends. If I have to memorize all 20 amino acids for biochemistry, I could draw the structures out on a whiteboard until I finally get them all right. Finding a quiet place to study where I don’t have to worry about focusing is extremely important for me. I find that studying in the library or a cute café can be helpful because everyone around me is also studying. It creates an air of productivity and minimizes external distractions. Having water or my favourite—an iced matcha latte from Starbucks— within reach is also a bonus. If all else fails me, I give myself a little pep talk. No one could go wrong with a little self-encouragement. It sounds very cheesy but repeating a little mantra to myself like “you can do this,” or, “you can do hard things,” can help. Jason Moser, an associate professor of psychology at Michigan State University, found that third person self-talk helps students regulate their emotions and may “provide perspective, and also encourage solutions.” Midterm season is not easy by any means. With never ending to-do lists filled with assignments and tests to study for, it feels like it takes over our lives. But if we can take simple measures to make studying a little more manageable and give ourselves little moments of joy, we can help lessen the burden to our mental health.

Aidan Thompson Managing Editor – Internal

ratitude is perhaps the most pervasive treatment plan that the well-intentioned prescribe to the sad, scared, or emotionally secluded. “Just look at all that you have to be thankful for,” they’ll say, gesturing politely—and perhaps a little sanctimoniously—to your dinner plate or goose-layered winter coat. In theory, they’re entirely right. Gratitude is such a culturally pervasive practice that it’s impossible to deny its value in our emotional well-being. But in reality, it’s never that simple. As someone with obsessive compulsive disorder, this supposed “cure” always complicated my understanding of what my problem was to begin with. At first, I was convinced that my adolescent (and undoubtedly abstinent) self had contracted HIV from my eighth-grade winter formal, but then I was wondering if perhaps this whole emotional and spiritual crisis had really just come around because I didn’t appreciate the holidays enough. If your psychological disposition resembles mine even slightly (yippie!), then this whole notion that “you just need more gratitude” can sometimes become its own source of emotional distress. At first, you were only feeling depressed or anxious, but now you’re feeling depressed, anxious, and guilty. I wrestled through this complicated and entirely irrational thought process for years and came to two conclusions: first, being grateful does not rewire your brain chemistry (this one should’ve been more obvious), and second, gratitude is a perspective on life not an emotional state. A lot of my inner emotional conflict around gratitude came from an expectation that I could change my emotional disposition if I only thought harder about the bright side of life. If I recited everything I had to be grateful for, then this sickening and dissociative experience of consciousness would become easier. I expected (or hoped) that I could exercise some amount of control over my emotions by simply being thankful . This isn’t the case. If you’ve ever spoken to someone who suffers from major depressive disorder or generalized anxiety disorder, you’ll realize quite quickly that most simple solutions—like counting your blessings—don’t contribute to any meaningful changes. If happiness was just a matter of remembering how great the final fight scene between Obi-Wan and Anakin is in Revenge of Sith, then people at funerals would be fist pumping the air like they just took a capsule of MDMA. This explains point one: gratitude is not transformative. It won’t cure your headache or fix your depression, but that does not mean it’s not important. Although people who believe gratitude is a cure for all life’s misfortunes are offering the sentimental equivalent of a get-well card, there is some value in their understanding. The critical point of context, however, is tied into conclusion number two: gratitude is a perspective, not an emotional state. Instead of seeking gratitude as a solution to your emotional turmoil or spiritual disorder, approach it as a philosophy that has the capacity to transform your relationship to the world around you. And before you start to condemn this rhetorical cliche, understand that the value of gratitude lies in the awareness and compassion it provides for you, not the happiness or fulfillment.

AURORA PICCIOTTOLI/ THE MEDIUM

Consider these words by American novelist David Foster Wallace, “The really important kind of freedom involves attention and awareness and discipline, and being able truly to care about other people and to sacrifice for them over and over in myriad petty, unsexy ways every day.” Freedom, like gratitude, is a thought, a belief, an idea—not a feeling.

The allure and impact of parasocial relationships with celebrities Are you too attached to your favourite celebrities? Does this impact or dismiss your mental health? Karissa Harrypersad Contributor

dolization of celebrities has been spiraling out of control. We are building one-sided relationships with celebrities that don’t know we exist, becoming obsessed with the idea of them, and building emotional connections to them, however, we remain onlookers. We talk about them and treat them as if we have known them our whole life. There are many cases in which fans blur the lines between appreciation and obsession. Having a celebrity crush or knowing all your favourite artists’ songs is fun and enjoyable. But when a person starts to create social connections to these celebrities, the invisible bonds start to blur.

With the rise of social media and technology, fans can stay connected to their favourite celebrities all the time. This causes them to start building parasocial relationships with the public figures of their choosing. Parasocial relationships are defined as “of or relating to the connection or imagined connection between a regular person and a fictional character, celebrity, or other public figure.” Celebrities and public figures can include podcasters, YouTubers, and TikTokers, as those platforms also connect with a wide range of viewers. Since public figures now stretch into other sectors of entertainment, I think it is easier for us to start building an emotional connection to them. We are viewing a intimate side of celebrities that encourages a one-sided attachment. The obsession grows and feeds into an unhinged state of worship. The allure of creating affiliations with celebrities is hard to resist because fans like me enjoy showcasing their favourite music, TV shows, movies, and hobbies to the world through fandoms. Some of these fandoms can become toxic, though not all of them.

Parasocial relationships can be dangerous, and their impacts are serious on both sides of the relationship. This kind of relationship can harm a person because they are generating an addiction for themselves—which can involve fixating over every detail in a celebrity’s life—that feeds into the supposed connection. Feelings of social isolation and loneliness can also be a result of not having enough energy for real-life relationships If a parasocial relationship is overdeveloped, it can lead to violent or inappropriate behaviour and, in some cases, even death. Eminem’s popular song “Stan,” which was released in the 2000s, provides an important exploration of the risks of parasocial relationships. It sheds light on how intense, creepy, and unhealthy the connection fans develop with celebrities can be. The term “stan” even signifies a dark and deeply devoted fan by combining the words stalker and fan together. Lines of reality and fantasy blur in the realm of fandom even to this day. Doja Cat, a major star in the music industry, faced some recent battles with parasocial relationships. She connects with her fans through Instagram, X, and TikTok Live, which provide her audience with a sense of connection to a person that doesn’t know they exist. Doja Cat establishes boundaries for herself by addressing her fans in a straightforward manner, revealing that she doesn’t feel a romantic love for them. This resulted in her fans getting genuinely upset and prompted hundreds of followers on her social media platforms to unfollow. This moment served as a reminder that the connection fans feel with celebrities is complex, multifaceted, and extends beyond traditional notions of love or adoration. I believe that parasocial celebrity relationships are not constructive or healthy. They contribute to diminishing mental health. Placing too much value on interactions with celebrities can take away from real-life relationships, responsibilities, and personal growth. It’s essential to recognize that these relationships are one-sided and often curated through the lens of media and social platforms. As fans, we must appreciate our favourite music artists, actors, or YouTubers but understand the boundaries we have to set for ourselves.

features

Editor | Prisha (Maneka) Nuckchady features@themedium.ca

Professor Craig Fraser: Unmasking the legal dimensions of mental illness UTM’s forensic science Professor Craig Fraser discusses the intricacies of mental illness in the criminal justice system. Kareena Kailass Opinion Editor

he laws around mental illness in the justice system have always been interesting to me—especially as a forensic science minor at the University of Toronto Mississauga. Learning that mental illnesses are no longer as sequestered from the judicial system as I once understood interested me. But for many courses, this topic was just a module’s worth of studies—a module that was buried beneath piles of lecture notes on other legalities. Determined to learn more, I enrolled in Professor Craig Fraser’s FSC361: Mental Illness and the Criminal Justice System.

“We should do a course on mental health in the forensic science program,” Professor Fraser recalls Dr. Tracy Rogers pitching to him a few years ago. “It piqued my interest,” he continues, “myself and another Crown [attorney] who I taught with initially for a few years, Andrew McLean, built the course and centred it around guest speakers.” Professor Fraser is a former Crown attorney and lawyer. He currently serves on the Ontario Review Board, a tribunal that oversees individuals found by the court to be not criminally responsible or unfit to stand trial by reason of a mental disorder. This winter semester, Professor Fraser is set to instruct FSC361 alongside Crown attorney Brett Moodie. Professor Fraser completed his undergraduate degree at Western University and graduated with a bachelor of arts, having completed his studies in political science. After finishing his undergraduate degree, he assumed a sales representative role at a pharmaceutical company in Alberta and later British Columbia. While he enjoyed the job, he realized he didn’t want to work in that environment for the rest of his life—he wasn’t as passionate as he wanted to be. Having always loosely considered a career in law, he decided to apply to law school, earning a spot at the University of Windsor. “[Law] was always something I thought would be an interesting profession because there are so many avenues open to you once you have a law degree, and that appealed to me. I didn’t necessarily know what kind of law I wanted to do, but I thought the education itself would be a terrific experience,” Professor Fraser explains. After completing his law degree and finding his path in practicing criminal law, Professor Fraser soon found himself partaking in cases that involved mental illness. Pulling out a copy of the Criminal Code of Canada’s Part XX.1, Professor Fraser quotes mental disorder to be defined as “a disease of the mind,” which “embraces any illness, disorder or abnormal condition which impairs the human mind and its functioning.”

Notably, Professor Fraser mentions that definition excludes self-induced states of mental impairment caused by alcohol, drugs, or transitory states such as hysteria and concussions. “It’s a very wide definition, but it really comes down to an abnormal condition that impairs the human mind and its functioning,” he says. “But in practice, you see that what distinguishes a mental disorder from another type of mental health condition is psychosis—people who experience delusions, hallucinations, and act on those symptoms of the illness, are typically the people that are found not criminally responsible [by mental disorder],” he explains. To be found not criminally responsible by mental disorder, Professor Fraser adds, an individual has to meet one of two criteria. According to the law, having a mental disorder is the first requirement, but in addition to this, the individual must either not appreciate the nature and quality of the act or omission, or not appreciate the moral wrongfulness of the act or omission—with most cases falling under the second category. “So even though someone may, for example, kill another individual, if they are psychotic and suffering from delusions, which often are persecutory, which means ‘I have to do something to this person before they do something to me,’ they clearly understand they’re committing the act of killing someone, but what they don’t appreciate [due to their psychosis] is that it’s morally wrong, the illness deprives them of a rational choice.” Professor Fraser expands. In most cases, he highlights that the court is well-equipped to understand that these individuals need mental support. “From my experience, [working] in Hamilton, we had a very robust mental health support network in the courts. So, for example, there were several court workers who were working with the Canadian Mental Health Association, and then there was our relationship with St. Joseph’s Hospital, which is a forensic mental health hospital. So, we had very active ongoing relationships with the hospital,” he recalls. He explains how the doctors at the hospitals would testify to fitness and criminal responsibility, and how court workers supported people who had mental health issues and didn’t have a lawyer to represent them in court. Professor Fraser explains, persons in custody would have a lawyer to represent them, who also liaise with the Canadian Mental Health Association Court support worker, who, in some cases, liaise with the Crown. In some of these cases, the lawyers simply work to advocate for the person in custody, while in other cases, they provide information to aid in resolving the case, he continued to explain. Sometimes, Professor Fraser went on to say, the cases can even be resolved without prosecution. To resolve the cases without prosecution, a mental health diversion could be made where the accused is followed by the Canadian Mental Health Association for six months while under treatment and programming, says Professor Fraser. At the end of their time, if their treatment is successful, the charges are withdrawn. “This is an aspect of supporting persons with mental illness who aren’t committing serious criminal acts— they’re at the low end of the spectrum,” Professor Fraser adds. These include those charged with minor offences like mischief to property. “The more difficult cases are the ones where there’s serious bodily injury or death that’s caused [by] a person that is ill,” he says. These cases, according to Professor Fraser, are difficult to

find a middle ground that protects public safety but also recognizes that the accused is mentally ill and is not criminally responsible by mental disorder. In these cases, the accused are under the Ontario Review Board’s system, where they hold jurisdiction over the accused after the court makes its findings of not criminally responsible. After this, he explains, the court is removed from the case. The panel on the Ontario Review Board—two psychiatrists or one psychologist, two lawyers, and a public member with expertise and experience in the area of mental health—review cases annually to assess the progress and treatment of the individual. They also re-assess liberties and restrictions imposed to issue dispositions. “In cases where there is serious injury or death, I think it’s harder for victim’s families to see the mental illness as the driving force for the offence. This is understandable,” Professor Fraser notes. After all, by not incarcerating the offenders, there is a notion that justice has not been served—in the traditional sense. However, rulings of not criminally responsible by mental disorder are not a new development in the legal system. According to Professor Fraser, they date back to laws from decades ago. “There is less stigma now than there was [before]. And I think a lot of that relates to how much mental health and wellness is in the public eye,” he says. Exposing students to the intricacies of mental illness in the criminal justice system drives Professor Fraser’s passion for FSC361. Thinking back to a student who committed themselves to this path of study after being influenced by one of the guest speakers, he reflects: “Little things like that are very gratifying. […] When you can have that experience where a student connects with one of our speakers and then it changes the way they pursue their education.” For me, FSC361 was monumental. It changed the way I understood the justice system, and how mental illness is inevitably intertwined in the system. Having the opportunity during the winter 2023 semester to meet and learn from various guest speakers, along with Professor Fraser and Professor Greenwood, was a valuable experience that not only taught me a lot, but also opened my eyes to the everchanging definition of “justice.” My advice to you? Take FSC361, you won’t regret it.

COURTESY OF CRAIG FRASER/ THE MEDIUM

Indigenous film and the importance of stories Dr. Ken Derry dives into how Indigenous Peoples have sought to fight oppression and overcome trauma by telling their stories. Yusuf Larizza-Ali Contributor Dr. Ken Derry from the department of historical studies at the University of Toronto Mississauga completed his BA, MA, and PhD in religion all within U of T. His research revolves around how “traditional” religious customs continue to influence or relate to modern cultural practices. Dr. Derry’s PhD thesis investigated the presence of religion and violence in contemporary writings by Indigenous Peoples in Canada. Despite being non-Indigenous himself, his studies in religion have involved examining many texts of Indigenous Peoples, and when he started teaching RLG331: Religion on Screen, he strived to incorporate many Indigenous films into the course. In a lecture hosted by the Mississauga Library System titled “’We Are Our Stories’: Healing and Indigenous Films,” Dr. Derry explained that when examining Indigenous literature or film as a non-Indigenous person, he “wants to try and see it as much as possible through the lens of Indigenous ways of thinking and understanding stories.” With this in mind, he borrowed inspiration from Dr. Jo-Ann Episkenew—a Métis writer and scholar who passed away in 2016—and her book Taking Back Our Spirits when titling the lecture “We Are Our Stories.” Dr. Derry explained that “what she has to say about literature is applicable to other kinds of stories.” In his lecture, Dr. Derry discussed how film has helped Indigenous stories to reach a much larger audience. At its crux, Episkenew’s book Taking Back Our Spirits is about “how stories can help Indigenous people heal from colonial trauma, [how it is] crucial for settlers [like you and I] to know the truth about how colonialism has impacted Indigenous people and the truth of Indigenous traditions and cultures,” Dr. Derry said. “We Are Our Stories,” the title of Dr. Derry’s talk, is pulled from the work of Dr. Episkenew: “It’s a concept that probably many of us are familiar with, although I think many times we can undervalue just what kind of impact stories can have on us,” Dr. Derry noted. “But this idea that the stories we tell about ourselves and our communities, [along with] the stories other people tell, essentially end up defining us even if we resist them. They can impact how we understand what’s important in life [and] what our purpose [and] value is.” In her book, Dr. Episkenew shares that most of her university courses predominantly centred around European settler traditions and culture—she only studied Indigenous cultures in Indigenous studies courses specifically. Dr. Derry noted: “That mirrors my experience too, [where] there were no Indigenous texts included in courses until after I finished my undergrad degree. [Then] they started to be included in courses in Indigenous literature and world literature.” The fact that it took so long for Indigenous culture to be deemed worthy of academic inquiry led Dr. Derry to conclude that European and Western traditions are vastly overrepresented in Canadian culture. He questioned what that does to a culture’s sense of identity, both for Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. He added that Dr. Episkenew draws on stories that undermine the pervasiveness of colonial myths such as the “superiority of European settlers and inferiority of Indigenous people.” The first film Dr. Derry brings up is Smoke Signals (1998), which features an all-Indigenous cast, including Evan Adams, who is now the chief medical officer of First Nations Health Authority in British Columbia. The film is set on a Native American reserve in Idaho and deals with the themes of trauma and parental issues. A key moment from the film that Dr. Derry brings up is when a character mentions looking at the water hoping they’ll see some salmon. However, the actors state that “there ain’t any salmon in that river no more.” Indigenous films tend to make an eventual reference to environmental harm. Smoke Signals does this subtly since, as Dr. Derry mentioned, “salmon is important in the film in many ways and there is none left in the river due to pollution.” This is one way that Indigenous films criticize modernity while making statements about their cultural values. Next, he brings up Beans (2020), a movie about a golf course that would be expanded on Kanesatake territory and the main character having to leave. Her name is Tekehentahkhwa, though she chooses to go by “Beans.” A later scene shows her telling the class her real name, which signifies the moment she finally embraces her Indigenous background. In the end, he explains that a deal is reached, allowing the characters to return home and they embrace their culture, stating: “This is our road.” Dr. Derry also mentioned Buffy Sainte-Marie’s song “Star Walker,” which discusses resilience while also inventing its own form of music: powwow rock. Just like Indigenous films, she shares stories through her songs—stories that seek to fight residual oppressions and affirm personal identity. Dr. Derry noted that there can be a danger in only focusing on colonialism when discussing Indigenous stories because it can encourage audiences to define Indigenous Peoples in terms of colonialism and trauma. Dr. Derry highlighted that Dr. Episkenew affords valuable insights into what he thinks most Indigenous films are doing; that is, they emphasize the points about superiority and inferiority while drawing attention to how progress is being made to affirm Indigenous traditions. The key points are that European settlers are humanized in Indigenous films and stories so that they are not seen as inferior to Indigenous Peoples. Instead, everyone is on equal ground.

PHOTO BY BLAKE ELIGH COURTESY OF DR. KEN

Arts

Editor | Alisa Samuel arts@themedium.ca

Why we should have more patience for musicians who cancel tours How does the demanding nature of tours affect musicians’ mental health, and subsequently their performances? Meghna Patil Contributor

usic is a great way for people to express their emotions and stories to others in a way that complements their style and interests. Music can be happy, sad, serious, or dynamic. It is often the method some individuals choose to relay an important message. An important message can be related to serious topics, such as drugs, racism, and mental health. Mental health is an ongoing concern that affects a variety of people, from students and athletes to musicians. In the case of musicians, their mental health struggles can stem from the demanding nature of tours and can be influenced by their fans’ responses to the cancellations of such tours. To understand some of the factors that influence musicians’ decisions to cancel their tours and take a step back from their music, it is important to look at how tours in general can be overwhelming, and how fans’ responses to such news may either improve or worsen the musicians’ mental health struggles.

have cancelled their tours—namely, Yard Act and Shawn Mendes. Yard Act felt the pressure of frequently playing bigger bookings, along with the increased pressure of critical acclaim and a Mercury nomination. Mendes, on the other hand, has been open about his crippling anxiety and how it affected his ability to sing, as well as his sensitivity to criticism. He admitted his drive to garner success often comes at the cost of his mental health. There have been a range of fan reactions in regard to hearing the news of their favourite musicians cancelling their tours—from anger to empathy to encouragement. Some fans have expressed disappointment at the news, but acknowledged the importance of prioritizing mental health over performances that can always be pushed back to another time. It is a huge responsibility that these musicians have taken on, prioritizing their mental health over music performances that can always be adjusted. However, it is because of their bravery and willingness to share their mental struggles that more people are more confident in coming forward and sharing their stories as well. ILLUSTRATION BY BEATRIZ SIMAS/ THE MEDIUM

According to alternative singer-songwriter Carla Malrowe in an article for Banzoogle, the struggles that touring musicians experience parallels that of individuals who work in non-music industries, yet the stories shared are so profound and important in raising awareness towards how work is affected by environment. Living and working on the road can be stressful. One common problem observed in touring is that musicians burnout from “working unusual hours in unusually harsh conditions,” Malrowe writes. Burnout is a real risk in any workplace but is especially heightened in touring because of unique circumstances: performing in different cities within a short timeframe, emotional instability resulting from pre-performance panic, loneliness, and isolation. There are many musicians who have come forward and cited mental health concerns as the primary reason behind cancelling their tours. The Guardian commented on some musicians who

Conventions and inventions in Blood Quantum Jeff Barnaby’s 2019 zombie film reimagines the Hollywood western. Aidan Thompson Managing Editor - Internal

arly in the epoch of Hollywood film, Indigenous men were presented as the stoic, fearless warrior—brave and silent. When the western genre shifted towards its modern conventions and began portraying Indigenous Peoples as violent and uncivilized, these redeemable qualities were redistributed onto the white male protagonist—the John Waynes.

DERRY

Jeff Barnaby’s 2019 film Blood Quantum, however, challenges these conventions and reimagines the narrative space of the Hollywood western as being capable of expressing an Indigenous narrative in a post-colonial landscape. Barnaby deconstructs these genre conventions and criticizes their stereotypes by incorporating them into an Indigenous narrative—one directed by an Indigenous auteur and starring indigenous actors. The film, in

consequence, is self-determined. As an Indigenous director, Barnaby brings his own accent and expressions to the language of the western film. He sticks close to the script but changes the context in which the film operates. Most notably, he blends the popular Hollywood genres of horror into his western story. The plot of the film revolves around an isolated Mi’kmaq reserve of Red Crow who are curiously immune to a zombie plague that infects the outside world. Barnaby confronts, critiques, and reorganizes dominant narratives to privilege an Indigenous perspective in a post-colonial landscape on screen. The setting is reimagined from the American plains to a post-apocalyptic coastal setting; the colony—typically spatially and physically threatened by some sort of encroaching danger—is changed from a group of “settlers” to an indigenous community; and the threat rei-

magined from Indigenous peoples to zombies. The brave, sharp, emotionally guarded “cowboy” is also changed, from John Wayne to the chief of the Mi’kmaq people. These deviations from the western blueprint deterritorialize the genre and reimagine it as capable of including Indigenous voices and perspectives. There are several scenes that pronounce this but one that caught my attention comes just a few scenes into the second act. A scene opens with a birds-eye shot that frames an old map laid out across a table. The shot transitions to a low angle, “cowboy shot” as Traylor, played by actor Michael Greyeyes, traces the perimeter of the camp, briefing the two beside him on the threatened sections. This sort of scene is characteristic of western films and usually comes before the big showdown, as the male protagonist draws up his plan and takes control of the townsfolk, telling them where to be and what to do and most importantly, “to wait

for my signal.” In Barnaby’s film, the reservation stands in for the colony, the cowboy is reimagined as a chief, and the zombies become the “savages.” These changes work to create the Indigenous western, a reimagined genre that gives a voice to Indigenous Peoples to tell their own story and critique the way their story has been told in the past.

The poetry of purpose: Maryam Uddin’s journey to Strike Out the Stigma In response to the mental health crisis brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic, Uddin started a nonprofit organization to raise awareness about mental illness. depression, eating disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder. With the launch of her book, she started her first fundraiser for her non-profit called The Canary Fundraiser, where profits collected from the book’s sales were given to charity.

Michelle Santos Contributor

Uddin tells The Medium that she seeks to write “poetry that is intimate and reflective about mental disorders.” Playing with words and rhymes has always come to her naturally, she says. With time, she started exploring rough patches of her own experiences and found that generic language couldn’t encapsulate what she was going through. Poetry was there to help her explain the complexities of her personal journey along with the sentiments she feels in a way that enabled her to then share her mental health struggles with an audience. Through her self-reflection and evaluation of the experiences of people close to her, Uddin’s writing grew but also spurred within her an interest in psychology. She became curious about how she could integrate both of her passions to better understand “the aspects of people [that] they choose not to talk about because of all the stigma around mental health, and […] the human psyche.” In the future, she sees herself working as a clinical psychologist who integrates poetry into her professional practice as a tool for empowerment and support. Read Uddin’s poems in The Medium, where she is a regular contributor to the Arts & Entertainments column, “Poetry Corner.” PHOTO BY XAVIER C.

n literature, art, and poetry, the search for meaning is infinite. Artists like Maryam Uddin have helped keep such endeavours alive to create meaning beyond the obvious, to paint reality from within the experience of the observer, and to attempt to depict a whole world made of thoughts, emotions, and memories. Uddin, a first-year psychology student at the University of Toronto Mississauga, specifically used poetry to start her mental health non-profit called Strike Out the Stigma in 2019. Motivated by her love for poetry and psychology, Uddin wanted to create a community that prioritized mental health. She looked at poetry as an outlet that could allow herself and others to express and find themselves through her verses. She has received awards for her work along with acknowledgement from honourable members of the community like the Mayor of Mississauga Bonnie Crombie. This young promising artist began writing at the early age of 11 and by the age of 15, she had published her first book The Canary and The Miner. The book is a collection of poems that touch on the struggles and common experiences shared by individuals who suffer from

PHOTO BY ALIA YUSUF

Classics, Successes, and the Italian Canon With university film courses on various types of cinema, how do people decide what gets studied and why? Alisa Samuel Arts & Entertainment Editor

he canon is a reservoir of films that are studied to this day while millions of others have sunk into oblivion with the passage of time. It is relied on for answers when someone asks such a question as, “what’s a good Italian movie to watch?” Recognized for one reason or another across generations, classic films seem to automatically become part of the canon. Classic films, however, are not the same as successful films. La vita è bella (Dir. Roberto Benigni, 1997) for example, would be considered a successful film because it won numerous best film accolades from highly prestigious and reputable academies and film festivals around the world. Many would consider the film a classic simply for this reason, and not for its representation of the Holocaust in Italy which many modern critics, by the way, deem tasteless. Pairing comedy with tragic world events generally does not sit well

in today’s emotionally and politically charged times.

livered based on their own perception of the film’s content and external context.

On the contrary, La dolce vita (Dir. Federico Fellini, 1960) was largely made popular, even denounced, for purposefully shocking religious sentiments during the ’60s. But now that shock value is gone. The film is revered as a cultural/cinematic tour de force (“feat of strength”) not only because of director Fellini’s unconventional choice of narrative modes and expert use of stylistic elements, but because it supplements our understanding of what life was like in post-war Rome. In simpler terms, a classic film is determined only in retrospect by how well it ages, whereas the success of a film is measured by several factors during the period within which it was released.

Sergio Leone’s spaghetti western films like A Fistful of Dollars from 1964, for example, were born of an escapist genre that repeated itself in Italian cinema during the ’60s and late ’70s as a response to the audiences’ desire for experiences of sensory pleasure. However, upon closer reading according to today’s standards, it becomes clear that their excessively bloody fight scenes and colourful background scores dress up rather superficial plotlines of societal corruption and gender bias. These films may have successfully served a particular need at one moment in history, but in the undeniable company of perpetually soul-shaking and thought-provoking films like Ladri di biciclette (Dir. Vittorio De Sica, 1948) that preceded westerns, they fail as standard-bearers of Italian cinema.

These factors include, but are not limited to, the time of the film’s make and release, the amount of box office revenue it generates, and who is watching. What success looks like varies from person to person. From film critics and theorists to the public, everyone determines whether the film in question has de-

Sure, academics, critics, scholars, and auteur directors are most educated to determine what the film canon should look like, but their consideration of popular audience responses helps re-imagine what it could look like. Seri-

ous theorists of the ’50s and ’60s, for instance, don’t cover a broad variety of topics in their choices. Their understanding of the canon tends to function on exclusion, as if due to lack of space, by overlooking films that express certain social or political issues. The ultimate hypothetical canon is in constant need of thoughtful, timely conversation and is only as flexible as viewers are. Works of art demonstrate potential for canonical status in the way they approach and represent life on screen, provide value to national cinema, and uphold the material specificity of the film medium.

sports & health

Editor | Omar Khan sports@themedium.ca

Sports psychology: It is not just the game The importance of sports psychology and recent developments within this field of psychology. Meghna Patil Contributor

hink back to when you were a child. Did you ever get involved in a sport? If so, did you find that you could connect with other people who shared a common interest? Did you find that your health, both physical and mental, improved considerably? That is because sports are essential to developing life skills and thus improving one’s health. According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, sports have positive mental and emotional effects, helping children “make friends, have fun, learn teamwork, learn to play fair, and improve self-esteem.” They also have physical benefits, such as “reduced risk of obesity” and “increased cardiovascular fitness,” according to Better Health Channel. However, we do not talk much about how sports can also pose challenging situations for athletes and their performances. Notable athletes such as Michael Phelps and Naomi Osaka have gone public about their mental health struggles and how some of them come from the pressure of training for competitions. According to Peak Performance Sports, because athletes live under the public eye, many “feel the need to cover up the fact that they struggle with mental health,” and the stigma attached to mental health and seeking help makes it difficult for

them to come forward and discuss their struggles. It is essential for people to access resources and tools that support them in identifying and managing their mental health struggles. This is where sports psychology comes into play. According to the American Psychological Association, sports psychologists’ primary responsibilities are to help athletes “enhance performance,” “cope with the pressures of competition,” “recover from injuries,” “keep up an exercise program,” and “promote healthy self-esteem.” They can also teach athletes techniques to support their mental health outside of sports, such as “relaxation techniques, mental rehearsals and cognitive restructuring.”

prepare athletes to perform and get them in the most optimal mental space before their games. These mental exercises along with the rehearsals discussed above will improve mental health for athletes and consequently, improve their performance. In conclusion, research has found that sports psychology is an incredibly important field that helps athletes identify and improve their mental health in relation to their athletic prowess and performance.

As the field of sports psychology continues to grow, there have been recent developments in technology that supports athletes in managing their mental health struggles. One such technology is virtual reality (VR). An excerpt from a sport and exercise psychology textbook was made public on the Human Kinetics website and describes VR turning the user’s environment into “a simulation of the real world or an imaginary world, providing an interactive experience between the athlete and the environment […][they see] on the athletic field’. Another technology, eye-tracking, has been useful “in dynamic environments such as sports” and allows sports psychologists to monitor and record “athletes’ gaze positions when they look at 2D and 3D stimuli.” Leveraging such technologies can help

Taking action where it counts #YouthVoice #EqualRepresentation Alanna Sethi Contributor

aking a deep breath, I press open the door and walk into the hall. Crowds of unfamiliar faces are dotted around the lecture hall as I rush over nervously to take my seat. The professor is saying something about remembering to write our student numbers on our scantron. My fingers tremble as I press my pen to the paper and begin to write. This is the story of many students. Many of us face a never-ending list of concerns, anywhere from academic stress and career uncertainty to family and relationship difficulties. So why is it that adults—people who are no longer experiencing our world—are the ones telling us how to survive? The world is constantly undergoing rapid change. The experience today’s adults had is no longer representative of that of current students. Yet, how often are we allowed to create real change in the support we get? For some people, breathing exercises, yoga, eating well, and self-care might be enough to support their mental health. After all, mental health ranges on a spectrum. Clinical psychologist, Dr. Tess Browne describes this continuum as ranging from in-crisis, to struggling to survive, to thriving. Those in the struggling and in-crisis areas likely experience varying degrees of challenges that significantly impact their mental health. Surviving could be considered similar to burnout. Finally, you get to thriving, where you find that you’re actively living life based on your values, you’re fulfilled, motivated, and energetic, connected with your community and loved ones. Unfortunately, studies show that young people ages 15 to 24 are more likely than other age groups to deal with mental health concerns. So, it is our age demographic specifically that appears to demonstrate a strong need for more than just self-care and social support. Yet due to various barriers such as the financial cost of professional support and extensive waitlist times, we

may not be able to access it. Various schools and universities have their own mental health services, but many do not include high degrees of youth participation. Youth participation follows a ladder structure, ranging from non-participation, to consulted and informed, to youth-initiated with shared decisions with adults. Many institutions may have safeguarding or liability concerns which could explain the limitations of involvement that young people can take in creating change in services. However, with appropriate training and support, young people can be strong drivers of change. An example of this potential for change is Edward Peasgood, a university student who supports children and young people in speaking out for improved youth mental health services in England. Despite being a student himself, he has supported many students throughout his work, including facilitating a safe and supportive space in focus groups when he investigated attitudes, prevention, and early intervention for youth self-harm needs in East Sussex. Change does not happen without people standing up for it. Being a leader is not in my blood, but I will not sit by and see peers suffering without doing my all to help. I started Helping Our Planet Earth (HOPE), a youth-led non-profit organization to make mental health resources and support accessible to young people globally. Now we as students offer workshops and courses, with the support of mental health professionals on our Advisory Board, to empower young people with self-help tools and community connection to improve their wellbeing. Ultimately, it is in your hands to explore what you want to do. If mental health action is something you want, my advice is to consider what area of change you want to focus on. In what way do you want to help? Whether you provide feedback as a service user or contribute as a youth worker, remember the impact you can make.

The Mental Mastery of the Maple Leafs Exploring how the Toronto Maple Leafs approach sports psychology and mental health. Omar Khan Sports and Health Editor

ports psychology is a growing area of interest for the Toronto Maple Leafs. The field of study deals with the effects sports can have on the psychological process. A good understanding of sports psychology and how athletes should approach mental health is an important part of not only team success, but individual health and well-being. In a market such as Toronto— where hockey players are put “under a microscope,” the pressure is unlike anywhere else, and the year always seems to end in playoff disaster and heartbreak—the mental health of the players is put to the test and consequently, must be paramount to their success. In a 2020 interview on the Spittin’ Chiclets podcast, Maple Leafs superstar Auston Matthews cites how the introduction of team sports psychologists has helped not only the Leafs, but other NHL players such as fellow superstar Nathan MacKinnon, who reportedly benefited significantly from the help a sports psychologist gave him. In addition to a sports psychologist, the Leafs hired a new peak performance coach in 2021 with the sole purpose of helping to improve the Leafs’ mental game. Following a disastrous playoff performance the year prior, the Leafs hired motivational speaker and life coach Greg Harden to help the players focus and keep their minds clear of all the noise that comes from playing in Toronto. John Tavares, who suffered a traumatic head injury the year prior to the new hire, credited Harden with helping him recover and stay in the right frame of mind. Harden has tremendous expertise and experience working with several other teams and even sports during his career, and has been a source of motivation and insight for the athletes he’s worked with.

One of Harden’s favorite phrases is “control the controllables,” which he uses to convey the importance of compartmentalizing, doing your best at what you are intended to do, and not worrying about things you have no control over. Mental health and its impact on performance aren’t limited to what happens during games or practices. There are many times where life outside of sports affects players. This past year, Maple Leafs star winger Mitch Marner was the unfortunate victim of a carjacking, where he was held at gunpoint and robbed of his luxury SUV.

Marner issued a social media statement about this traumatic experience, thanking his friends, family, and fans for their support. Two months later, Marner described how “the experience would come back to him in the weeks that followed when he stepped back behind the wheel,” displaying the long lasting effects the event had on him. However, the experience showed Marner the importance of mental health and having a support system, and he later held an event through his charity organization, Marner Assist, to spread awareness of mental health and wellness. Mental health is extremely important for events both on and off the ice. In today’s sports world, the mental aspect of the game is just as important as the physical aspect, and athletes who leverage resources such as sports psychologists and peak performance coaches are bound to foster resilience, improved well-being, and overall success.

Puzzle Corner

Editor | Laura Tovar design@themedium.ca

Sudoku! Instructions: Fill in the spaces with numbers 1–9. No numbers can be repeated in the same row, column or box.

Easy

Easy solution- Don’t peek until you’re finished your puzzle! This Solution will be shown upside-down.

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1 5 4 9 6 7 2 3 8

6 1 9 7 4 5 8 2 3

4 8 2 6 3 9 7 5 1

5 3 7 1 2 8 6 9 4

Hard

5 3 1 Hard solution- Don’t peek until you’re finished your puzzle! This Solution will be shown upside-down.

9 2 6 4 8 3 1 7 5

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8 7 3 5 1 2 4 6 9

4 1 9 7 6 7 6 8 3 2 1 8

2 4 8 3 9 6 5 1 7

3 6 5 8 7 1 9 4 2

1 6

7 9 1 2 5 4 3 8 6

8 4 7 2 8 5 1 8 6 2 4 7 7 9

7 6

8 9 1

9 2 5 3

9 6

1 9 4 2 8 5 6

8 2 7

4 8 7

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4 9 1 5 7 3 6 2 8

2 7 3 4 6 8 5 9 1

5 6 8 9 2 1 3 7 4

3 4 7 8 5 9 1 6 2

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1 5 9 6 4 2 8 3 7

6 8 2 3 1 7 9 4 5

7 3 5 1 9 4 2 8 6

8 2 6 7 3 5 4 1 9

9 1 4 2 8 6 7 5 3

Mental Health Themed Word Search! Instructions: See if you can find the words in our Mindfulness words list in the puzzle below!

10/16/23, 9:50 AM

Mindfulness Word Search - Word Search Labs

Mindfulness Word Search B M A S P O A N O I T A T I D E M R N G H I P N U T J S L E E P B H L H E X I D O N U T N U B O B I I U G S T A B P O X B D I W R N T E J I D F M C D O V P W V B F V Z I A V K Y U J M A I X Y R S P I I U U D K I H P B O W W N Z S K H B A O E L X Q E R E N W Z V G G K V P B S P I S N U H L G A E U S B T L M V A D V S M A E Z R X B L G Y T R Q B G C Q R D R R T S G P F V T S C X R K C L V O E E H L K S T V H S H Y X B B I M F O A L N H B F X K T I Y G V X V U X T V X H A I R H P P L M X W D V K E T J B I Q Z X T A G V O A G P N G R A N O R A K O A A U E Z B O W Z H F J Z A U I R V S Z N T O Q C F M D S G E E R R T Y E T J Z U I R T I D W G U B Q T N Z E I N R D D Z O Z G S B N X Y J K A Y J R A O N A G N N G O U Y F Z T A L R R Q L F S N Y V E Y C C C J G A G O Y Q P P H L E B D N H C K R U 1. meditation 8. air

2. mindfulness

9. relaxation

3. walk

10. hobbies

4. yoga

11. reading

5. hydration

6. health

7. nutrition

12. journal

13. sleep

14. routine

15. plants

https://wordsearchlabs.com/view/433396

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