Mental Health

On behalf of the support from The Canadian Red Cross, The Kidney Foundation of Canada’s Atlantic Branch welcomes our new Mental Health Program!

This program will support kidney patients and their caregivers' mental health through connections, coping skills, resiliency resources and education through safe, responsive, and effective programming in Atlantic Canada.

You Are Not Alone.

In any given year, 1 in 10 Canadians are diagnosed with kidney disease. Each case is unique, but you are not alone. Many people can still find themselves overwhelmed when they are first diagnosed and as they navigate the diagnosis.

To help ease the life of people living with kidney disease and their families, we developed our Mental Health 101 Virtual Library. This library allows access to short, yet informative presentations delivered in collaboration with Canadian health professionals of different backgrounds and specializations to increase awareness, offer support and empower the individual on understanding the relationship between mental health and chronic disease.

The Role of the Renal Dietitian.- Tegan Taggart, Clinical Dietitian

Tegan Taggart is a Clinical Renal Dietitian working in the hospital system of Newfoundland, Canada. In this video, the viewer will learn about the role of the Renal Dietitian by exploring how RDs use up to date science and expertise to evaluate an individual’s nutritional needs and support them in understanding the connection between nutrition and health, while living with chronic kidney disease.
 

Art Therapy for Kidney Disease - Bailey Oake, RCT, RP

Bailey Oake is a Registered Counsellor in Nova Scotia, Canada, a Registered Psychotherapist in Ontario, Canada and a Professional Art Therapist. In this video, the viewer will learn what is meant by the practice of Art Therapy, what mental health is, the importance of talking about it and is also introduced to coping strategies by utilizing the practice of art therapy.
 

Counselling Therapy and Chronic Disease - Ruth Downie, RCT, CCC, C Hyp

Ruth Downie is a Registered Counselling Therapist in Nova Scotia, Canada, and a Certified Canadian Counsellor. In this video, the viewer will learn about counselling therapy, and about how it can be utilized to assist in managing a health condition such as Chronic Kidney Disease. The video discusses how a counselling therapist can support the individual in learning how to manage thoughts and emotions that may arise with a new diagnosis, or chronic condition.
 

What is Mental Health - Dr. Daniella DaPonte, PsyD, Dre

Dr. Daniella DaPonte is a Psychologist in New Brunswick, Canada. In this video, the viewer will learn some general information on what mental health is, the signs of mental health decline, the impact of chronic illness on mental health and on caregivers and also receives coping skills and information on other ways to get help and support.
 

Manual Therapy and Chronic Illness- Eric Purves, MSC, RMT

Eric Purves is a Registered Massage Therapist in British Columbia, Canada. In this video, the viewer will learn the impacts of massage therapy, how it is used to provide pain relief and about how to optimize wellness for chronic pain and other chronic conditions. This video will help the viewer have a better understanding of what massage therapy is, and how to make better decisions about finding and utilizing manual therapy and massage therapy as an approach to help with pain management.
 

Introduction to Mindfulness - Emily Lewis, MSc MBI, ND

Emily Lewis is the Education Lead at Evolve Teaching Institute in Newfoundland, Canada. In this video, the viewer learns what Mindfulness is and about how it is used as a therapeutic tool for managing stress and anxiety and general unpleasant feelings. Near the end of the video, the viewer is offered an opportunity to try a guided meditation practice lead by Emily.

Caregiver Burnout - Sabrianne Penner, Health Promotion Specialist

Sabrianne Penner is a Health Promotion Specialist in the province of Nova Scotia, Canada. In this video, the viewer will learn what is meant by the term, Caregiver Burnout, the causes, the physical and emotional signs and symptoms to watch for, who is affected by it and also, what to do if you are feeling this way, and how to manage and prevent it.

Please note you are viewing content from another region. The information provided here may not be available in your area.