“When I came into recovery from alcoholism, I didn’t know all the issues that were driving me into that behaviour.”

— Mark Collings

Sometimes, the tools that we use to manage our own mental health can have amazing effects on others.

This episode of the Living Jewishly Podcasts is an instalment of What’s In Your Toolbox, a podcast about mental health and the tools we use in our daily lives, and features a conversation between host Bobby K and Mark Collings, a media production professional and documentary filmmaker from Alberta, Canada.

Mark served as the director of the documentary No Magic Bullet: An Honest Discussion About Mental Health — a commitment that took five years but was led by his heart. A vocal mental health advocate himself, Mark’s approach to mental health is informed by an addiction perspective.

The conversation explores the tools that Mark uses to manage his depression and alcoholism, his approach to blending filmmaking with advocacy, and his important work as an AA sponsor.

Note: If you reside in or around Calgary, Alberta, Canada, please visit the link below to learn more about an upcoming mental health fundraiser being held on June 7, 2022 in conjunction with the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) of Central Alberta.

“The classic 12-step program is just a series of decisions and actions that take a person from a state of illness to a state of wellness.”

— Mark Collings

This‌ ‌episode discusses:‌ ‌

• How Mark used cognitive tools, socialization, and self care to manage his mental health
• The importance of ego deflation and working to help others rescue themselves
• Mark’s new documentary project & an upcoming fundraiser relating to mental health 

 ‌  

Highlights:‌ ‌

00:53  Intro

02:05  Mark Collings & advocacy

03:45  Comedy, art & mental health

06:26  Behind ‘No Magic Bullet’

07:44  What’s in Mark’s toolbox?

11:49  AA sponsoring

14:16  Habits & transformation

15:39  Hobbies

18:12  June 7 fundraiser

19:52  M.A.S.T.

22:16  Turning hobbies into tools

24:03  The 3 Ps

25:29  Listener feedback & snail lesson

Links:‌ ‌ 

Fundraiser information (June 7, 2022)

http://nomagicbullet.org 

https://krazyafteralltheseyears.com 

Hwy 2

http://www.hwy2.tv 

To get in contact or learn more about Living Jewishly:  

Visit‌ ‌our ‌website: https://livingjewishly.org  

Follow us on Instagram: @living.jewishly  

Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCO2YEegjapKpQeXG6zh6tzw   

or send us an email at hello@livingjewishly.org.  

Shalom!