Life Unscripted - Stories of Mental Health and Addiction
Life Unscripted has one goal - to break down stigma by sharing the inspiring stories of people living with mental illness and addiction. Shame and fear often stop people who really need help from reaching out. COVID 19 has created a mental health and addiction pandemic. For many, anxiety is now part everyday life. Alcohol and drug use has increased as people try to cope. Host Janice Arnoldi has lived with bi-polar (manic depression) disorder for more than 30 years. She has a half hour radio show and speaks regulary to groups about mental illness.
Life Unscripted - Stories of Mental Health and Addiction
Meet Zane! He's A Cuddly Mental Health Facility Support Dog
There’s a special new dog in town! His name is Zane and he’s a mental health facility support dog at Pathstone Mental Health. That sounds a bit formal and it’s easier to think of Zane as a cuddly assistant.
Zane was specially trained by the Lion’s Foundation of Canada Dog Guides to assist children who are in therapy or for their mental health at professional agencies, like Pathstone. He provides a non-judgmental and calming influence to reassure kids experiencing a stressful situation.
I recently had the pleasure of meeting Zane with therapist Jennifer Forstinger. He’s a lovely standard poodle who knows exactly when to play and when he’s at work.