Marty's Mental Health Journey and More

  For many, the ocean isn't just a place—it's a sanctuary. A retreat that offers peace, tranquility, and a moment to reset. It's where the mind can find solace, the body can recharge, and the soul can reconnect with something far greater than the stresses of everyday life. Personally, the ocean has always been my source of happiness and serenity. Whether it's the soothing rhythm of the waves crashing against the shore, the salty air filling my lungs, or the warmth of the sun on my skin, each visit to the beach has been an opportunity to find balance and peace. The Therapeutic Sounds of the Sea One of the simplest yet most profound benefits of the ocean is the soothing sound of the waves. The repetitive crashing of the surf against the shore can have a calming effect, acting as a natural form of white noise that helps drown out the mental clutter of daily life. This repetitive sound can lower stress levels, reduce anxiety, and promote deep relaxation. Research has ev...

We all carry with us the echoes of our upbringing, sometimes in ways we don’t even realize. For me, reflecting on my childhood during therapy brought a rush of emotions that helped me understand just how deeply negativity had shaped my inner world. I was raised in an environment where the default mode was pessimism — where the focus was on what wasn't going right, what needed to be fixed, and how performance was never quite good enough. This constant stream of negative feedback during formative years left its mark, especially when it came to my sense of self-worth. As a child, the fear of forgetting a chore, doing something wrong, or simply not meeting expectations became a constant undercurrent of my daily life. There was little encouragement or appreciation — just criticism. As a result, my self-esteem was fragile, and I found myself constantly questioning my value. This set the stage for a lifelong struggle with negative self-talk and self-doubt. As I entered adulthood, thes...

This week, my therapy appointment felt like a milestone. It marked the end of my Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) program, and as part of the process, I reread my impact statements from the first and last days of treatment. The contrast was nothing short of remarkable. Reflecting on where I started versus where I am now, I couldn’t help but think about the beginning of my journey – that moment I first set foot into a mental health facility, feeling utterly defeated and broken. At the time, I saw my life as a dark tunnel with no light at the end. I vividly remember telling my therapist, “I don’t think I’ll ever get out of this tunnel.” I was so consumed by despair that I couldn’t imagine things ever getting better. Her response stuck with me: “You will see the light. It might take time, but you will see the light, and you will grow from your experiences.” In that moment, I didn’t fully believe her, but her words planted a seed of hope. I can look back now and say with certainty th...

Sports can be one of the most rewarding experiences for children, offering not just physical activity but a chance to build character, leadership, and self-esteem. As a parent who witnessed my son’s growth through his years of playing hockey, I can certainly attest to the joy and benefits that come from these activities. Seeing him improve, build friendships, and gain confidence was incredibly rewarding. However, there’s a fine line between supporting a child’s athletic journey and pushing them too far. We all know the positive aspects of sports – the camaraderie, the teamwork, the opportunity to develop a sense of self, courage, and self-discipline. For our son, hockey became a platform for personal growth. He learned how to face challenges, handle wins and losses gracefully, and understand the value of persistence. But with all the good came the pressure, the time commitments, and the intense environment of competitive sports. And perhaps most concerning of all—the phenomenon of “hoc...

Grief is one of the most complex and challenging emotions humans experience. For me, it started when I was just a young teen, and it would shape how I approached loss and emotional pain for many years. It began with the sudden loss of my grandfather, an extraordinary man who had lived a full life—working as an ironworker, boxing as a young man, and sharing his stories of resilience and strength with me. I spent countless hours with him, asking questions, sharing experiences, and learning about his life. He was a constant in my world, a rock I could always count on. I remember biking long distances just to spend more time with him, soaking in every bit of wisdom he was willing to share. But when he passed away unexpectedly when I was 19, the world as I knew it shattered. It was my first real encounter with the permanence of death, and the idea that loved ones—especially the ones you feel closest to—won’t always be there. That thought alone left a void that I carried for the rest of my...

As a Canadian, I’ve experienced the long, harsh winters that seem to drag on forever. The lack of sunlight, the cold temperatures, the constant snow—each element can take a toll on mental health, especially for those of us prone to seasonal depression. For years, I struggled with the winter blues, feeling isolated and overwhelmed by the toll it took on my already fragile mental health.  In the past, I used to escape south during the winter months, seeking solace in warmer climates. But with increasing medical appointments, financial constraints, and global uncertainties, the idea of a winter getaway feels more out of reach than ever. As a result, I've been forced to look for new strategies to cope with the season, and in doing so, I've come across fascinating insights from cultures around the world that have found ways to thrive in the most extreme winter conditions. Learning from Other Cultures: How Scandinavians Cope One of the most striking things I’ve discovered is ho...

Throughout our lives, we all face moments of struggle—times when our mental health feels fragile, and the weight of the world seems unbearable. During these dark moments, it's easy to feel isolated and disconnected, but one thing has always remained clear to me: there is always someone willing to help. Whether it’s family, friends, or even colleagues, they’re there to offer support when we need it most. In my own mental health journey, I have been fortunate enough to experience the powerful role that friendship can play in healing and recovery. And for that, I am forever grateful. When I was at my lowest point, unable to connect or communicate with those around me, my family and friends were a lifeline. They saw me through my disconnection, my lack of patience, and my mood swings. There were countless moments when these relationships were the key to my survival. What stands out the most are the countless memories I have with those who were there for me during my darkest days, provi...

For years, I struggled with unresolved issues stemming from my military service—issues that cut deep into the core of my sense of safety, trust, power, control, and self-esteem. Despite countless years of therapy for PTSD and severe depression, I was still carrying the weight of traumatic memories that seemed to haunt my every thought. My time in the military, particularly my experiences in the brutal and unforgiving environments of war zones, shattered my sense of security and forever altered my worldview. The chaos of war heightened my awareness of my vulnerability, feeding my anxieties about my own safety and that of my loved ones. I couldn't shake the feeling that danger was always just around the corner, even when I was back in civilian life. Trust, which had once been a given for me, became complicated. I once believed that people were inherently good, but the brutality I witnessed in war eroded that belief. The experiences forced me to face the harsh reality that, despite ou...

Recently, I had the privilege of participating in a unique and meaningful initiative at work called "You Can't Ask That," an online event organized in honor of International Day of Persons with Disabilities. The platform was designed to create an open, safe space where individuals could ask any questions to a panel of people, like me, who are living with various disabilities. In turn, we shared our experiences, perspectives, and the challenges we face, particularly in the workplace. To be honest, I wasn't entirely sure what to expect going into the event. The concept of people asking potentially uncomfortable or awkward questions about disabilities in the workplace had me feeling both curious and cautious. But what transpired during the event was far beyond what I anticipated, and I walked away feeling deeply moved and overwhelmingly positive about the experience. Breaking Down Barriers with Open Dialogue One of the things that struck me most about the event was...