Episode 1: Youth Mental Health

Episode 1: Youth Mental Health

Author: CMHA Kelowna and Jessica Samuels September 25, 2024 Duration: 41:07

In the first episode of A Way Forward Podcast: Conversations on Mental Health, presented by Beem Credit Union, Jessica Samuels covers the topic of Youth Mental Health with CMHA Kelowna CEO Mike Gawliuk and the need for more mental health resources and support for young people. The conversation focuses on the importance of early intervention and how providing mental health services sooner can have a lasting impact on youth as they transition into adulthood.

Mike shares his expertise on the current state of youth mental health in Kelowna, emphasizing that many mental health struggles can be mitigated or addressed with timely and adequate resources. The episode also explores the critical role that youth dedicated organizations, school, and families play in advocating for more accessible mental health programs and the long-term benefits of investing in early intervention.

The episodes wraps up with a discussion of programs and resources available for young people as they manage their mental health challenges.

**Key Topics Discussed:**
- The current gaps in mental health resources for youth
- The importance of early intervention in preventing long-term mental health issues
- How early support can help ease the transition from adolescence into adulthood
- The role of CMHA Kelowna/Foundry Kelowna in advocating for youth mental health
- How youth dedicated programs, schools, parents, and communities can collaborate to provide better mental health support
- How parents and caregivers know when to see out supports for youth
- Real-life stories of impact and success when intervention happens early
- Programs and resources that are available

**Resources Mentioned:**
- Foundry Central (provincial entity, Foundry Virtual)
- Foundry Kelowna (operated by CMHA Kelowna)
- ARC Programs (Family Connections Centre)
- The Upstream Project (Boys and Girls Club Okanagan)
- The Bridge Youth Services

**General Mental Health Resources:**
If you or someone you know is struggling, CMHA Kelowna's Find Help Now page has a list of emergency and non-emergency resources for individuals of any age. CMHA Kelowna - Find Help Now


Hosted by Jessica Samuels and presented by the Canadian Mental Health Association's Kelowna branch, A Way Forward: Conversations on Mental Health digs into the real-world factors that impact our psychological well-being. This isn't just a discussion of symptoms, but a thoughtful exploration of the societal, cultural, and personal stressors that weigh on us. Each episode moves beyond simply identifying problems to focus on practical approaches and tangible practices that can make a difference. You'll hear conversations that acknowledge how interconnected our mental health is with our physical fitness, our community, and the world around us. Supported by Beem Credit Union, the podcast provides a grounded space where complex topics feel accessible. Tuning in offers more than just insight; it’s about gathering useful information and realistic tools that you can apply to your own life. The goal is to leave each conversation with a clearer sense of direction and, as the title suggests, a genuine path toward resilience. This is a resource for anyone looking to understand the nuances of mental health and find actionable strategies for themselves and their communities.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 27

A Way Forward: Conversations on Mental Health
Podcast Episodes
Episode 24: Substance Use and Addiction: The Recovery Journey [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:23
In this episode of A Way Forward, host Jessica Samuels sits down with CMHA Kelowna CEO Mike Gawliuk to unpack one of the most misunderstood topics in mental health: substance use and addiction.This conversation goes beyo…
Episode 23: Psychedelic Assisted Therapy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:25
Episode OverviewThis episode explores the growing field of psychedelic-assisted therapy and how substances once heavily stigmatized are now being studied and used as treatments for mental health conditions. The conversat…
Episode 22: Complex Grief: Finding a Way Forward [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:51
Grief is rarely simple. In this episode of A Way Forward, host Jessica Samuels explores Complex grief — the layered and often misunderstood experience of loss that can include trauma, unresolved relationships, sudden dea…
Episode 21: Relationships, Money, & Mental Health [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:02
In this episode of A Way Forward, host Jessica Samuels is joined by CMHA Kelowna CEO Mike Gawliuk and Katie Bransfield, Director of Consumer Banking at Beem Credit Union, for a candid and practical conversation about how…
Episode 20: CRCL Kelowna [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:00
In this episode, host Jessica Samuels sits down with Innovation & Project Development Manager at CMHA Kelowna, Jamie Lloyd-Smith to introduce CRCL (Crisis Response Community Led), an innovative new service operated by CM…
Episode 19: Navigating Mental Health as a Gay Man [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:17
In this powerful and deeply personal conversation, host Jessica Samuels sits down with Matteo Stewart to explore the unique mental health challenges faced by gay men. Matteo shares his lived experience navigating identit…
Episode 18: Involuntary Care [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:58
Episode 18: Involuntary CarePresented by: Beam Credit Union Host: Jessica Samuels Guest: Mike Gawliuk, CEO, CMHA KelownaEpisode OverviewIn this episode, Jessica Samuels speaks with CMHA Kelowna CEO Mike Gawliuk about the…
Episode 17: First Responders & Mental Health [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:08
Being a first responder means running toward the situations most of us run away from. But that comes with an emotional and mental toll. In this episode, Jessica speaks with Kelowna Fire Captain David McCarthy, who shares…
Episode 16: Corey Hirsch [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:40
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…
Episode 15: Workplace Mental Health pt. 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:22
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…