“Taking care of your mental health is not a once-a-year job”

Posted on Wednesday, January 25th, 2023

A crowd of more than 160 learners, employees and guests attended a panel discussion and Q&A session in-person and online today to mark Algonquin College’s Mental Health Awareness Week and Bell Let’s Talk Day at the Algonquin Commons Theatre. The event was a partnership with The Royal and DIFD.

Let’s Keep Talking About Your Mental Health was hosted by CTV Ottawa’s Stefan Keyes and featured a live panel discussion from dynamic mental health experts courtesy of The Royal including Dr. Gail Beck, the Clinical Director of Youth Psychiatry and the Interim Chief of Staff and Psychiatrist-in-Chief at The Royal. Dr. Beck is also a governor and chair of the Board of Governors at Algonquin College. Other speakers included Mike Souilliere, the Director of Patient Care Services for the Substance Use and Concurrent Disorders Program at Royal Ottawa Mental Health Care Centre, and Dr. Zachary Kaminsky, a molecular biologist specializing in epigenetics, who holds the DIFD Mach-Gaensslen Chair in Suicide Prevention Research at The Royal’s Institute of Mental Health Research.

The speakers were welcomed by Algonquin College president and CEO Claude Brulé, who pointed out the special relationship the College has with The Royal, a relationship in which The Royal works collaboratively with the College’s Health Services team to provide students with specialized mental health support year-round.

“While this week serves as an opportunity to highlight mental wellness College-wide, with effective programming and passionate guest speakers” said Brulé, “we are continually working year-round to share mental health resources, and highlight the mental health and wellness supports available on our campuses.”

Brulé’s remarks opened up the panels first topic of discussion; coping with anxiety and depression at school. Dr. Beck shared helpful information about resources for students who are struggling to manage their mental health while navigating life’s conflicting priorities.

“We all have anxiety and we all have depression,” said Dr. Beck. “If those difficult feelings don’t pass, and if you begin to see reactions in your body, in your mind and brain; if your sleep and appetite are affected; if you see changes in how you would normally work, it’s time to go and see your family doc or someone at Student Services to see if the sadness and anxiety goes beyond what’s normal and you are in need assistance. Counselling will always help you find the assistance you need.”

Souilliere also suggested the importance of taking advantage of the resources available to start a conversation and reach out for help. “We’ve become accustomed to coping with stress,” he said. “But your tuition pays for the services you can access at the College for health and substance abuse disorders are part of the challenges that you can get support for (here on campus).”

An interesting addition to the conversation came from Dr. Kaminsky who, through his research, has found links between psychology and biology; links that can potentially help us better understand and determine suicide risk. He and his team are working toward the goal of creating a blood test to identify bio markers that will predict those at higher risk of suicide, a tool that could save the lives of many.

A key takeaway from his research that he pointedly shared: “Suicide, there is a biology, it’s not all in your head.”

He added that, “Asking someone straight out if they are ok is the best way to help someone,” and that, “it’s a myth that asking about suicide will put an idea in someone’s head.” Dr. Beck agreed, highlighting the importance of checking up on others.

“We should never be afraid to ask and to ask directly. There always are risks and if something where to happen and they would regret not asking. If you are worried, ask,” said Dr. Beck.

The session wrapped with a reminder that resources are available in a variety of different locations and formats both at Algonquin College and in the community. If you or someone you know need mental health support, click this link to learn about the resources available to you.


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