Mental Health

Why Canada must amend the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act

MAiD is currently available for those with mental illness. But there are treatment options that exist that have yet to be legalized. It's time to increase access to psychedelic-assisted therapies.

Muscle-building supplements are hugely popular with Canadian boys and young men: That’s a problem

The portrayal of muscular male bodies is a new but increasingly common phenomenon driving demand for potentially harmful muscle-building supplements. Young people in particular are at risk.

Helping youth harness the power of social media: Initiative teaches young Canadians how to create evidence-based health content

As online trends continue to perpetuate misinformation, these trends can lead to particularly harmful consequences in marginalized communities. A new program aims to improve online literacy among BIPOC youth.

Despite convictions, harmful health products like MMS bleach continue to be sold

Policymakers have begun to address health disinformation and harmful products on social media, signaling hope that it could become easier to stop operations like Genesis II. But we still need to address the desperation that drives people to reach for these products to begin with.

From diabetes medication to weight-loss wonder drug: Ozempic’s popularity raises big questions

Ozempic has raised a lot of questions. We asked a panel of experts what are the most important factors to consider when prescribing Ozempic for weight loss.

Health disinformation is harming autistic children: Are Canadian government regulations on the horizon?

With the recent explosion of health disinformation and harmful products for sale on social media have come real consequences for vulnerable children. Regulation and enforcement are crucial.

Harmful “cures” for autistic children: The many-headed hydra of social media

Autistic children are among the most vulnerable victims of the crisis of health disinformation. There are important issues around free speech on social media to sort out. But many of these debates are irrelevant when dangerous products begin to target kids.

Postpartum depression isn’t the biggest issue for mothers. Postpartum anxiety is

Postpartum anxiety is more than three times more prevalent than postpartum depression yet we hear about it far less often.

Episode 64 – Improving Heart Failure Outcomes and Psilocybin for Depression

How should we handle the toxic drug-supply crisis? Experts weigh in.

While political debates have muddied the water on effective policy options to address toxic drug deaths, we asked a panel of experts what they see as the best path forward to address the ongoing crisis.

Finding your energy envelope: Long COVID patients urged to ‘pace’ themselves back to health

For many long COVID patients, returning to activity can cause debilitating "crashes." But symptom management techniques like pacing can offer relief and may even help some patients slowly recover.

The placebo effect: Rarely dramatic, but surprisingly consistent and adjustable

Battles are won in the trenches: Front-line health professionals must have the power to adapt

Generals may lead wars, but battles are won in the trenches. Now, more than ever, this same doctrine must be applied to our medical professionals on the front lines.

Trust us to make our own decisions about breast-cancer screenings

The new U.S. guidance on breast-cancer screening shouldn’t be controversial or a “both sides” issue in Canada. It should serve as a model for the change we need.

What Canada can learn about MAiD for mental illness from Belgium and the Netherlands

Canadians are clearly divided on MAiD based solely on mental illness. From federal laws and legal cases to medical guidelines and published studies in Belgium and the Netherlands, we can make more informed decisions regarding MAiD eligibility for psychiatric patients.

‘Bogus contract’ creating gulf between doctors, patients

There are unhealthy expectations built into the "bogus contract" between doctors and patients that overemphasize the power of medicine. At the same time, we are ignoring the relative importance of the precursors to good health.

‘Slipping through the cracks’: Post-secondary students with mental-health disabilities struggle to find help

Despite the increased availability of mental health resources on university campuses, students with mental-health disabilities have voiced that they aren't aware of what's on offer to them through accessibility services.

Food prescriptions – a short-sighted response to food insecurity

Food insecurity can increase the risk of a number of adverse health outcomes. Food-prescription programs are one way that health-care providers are trying to mitigate the hardships they witness, but it's barely scratching the surface.

‘I’m proud of how far I’ve come’: Using sports to overcome mental, physical challenges

"I went from not wanting to be an amputee to really appreciating that I am an amputee. I take pride in the things that it has allowed me to do – travelled the world on the national para-ski racing team and public speaking."

The wellness profiteers of virtual health care

The virtual care industry has boomed in part due to the decline of primary care. But with it has come a host of wellness scams blurring the lines between evidence-based and unproven health-care remedies.