Marty's Mental Health Journey and More

  I vividly remember the day my son was born. As I looked at this tiny human in my arms, my mind flooded with thoughts and emotions. I had spent countless sleepless nights imagining the father I wanted to be. While the specifics of how I’d parent would evolve over time, there was one thing that was abundantly clear from the start: I wanted to be the kind of father that actively shaped and nurtured my child’s life, particularly when it came to his cognitive, emotional, and behavioral growth. This vision wasn’t based on any one role model I admired; rather, it was born out of the negative or unwanted behaviors I’d observed from men around me. I didn’t want to perpetuate those mistakes. I wanted to do better. And so, I began my journey with a clear sense of purpose. Being an Involved Parent One of the most important aspects of fatherhood for me was being present—really present. Given the nature of my career, I spent a fair amount of time away from home. But whenever I was there,...

  Regret and remorse are universal experiences that shape the way we view the world and navigate our lives. From the seemingly trivial to the deeply consequential, these feelings can weigh heavily on our hearts, sometimes staying with us for a lifetime. For some, the pain of regret becomes a silent companion that changes the way they approach relationships, decisions, and their sense of self. In my case, the most profound sources of regret stem from my time as part of a United Nations peacekeeping mission—experiences that have stayed with me and shaped who I am today. During my tour of duty, I was witness to the harsh realities of war. The devastation, the suffering, and the raw human cost of conflict were things I could never have prepared for. I was young at the time, eager to make a difference, to help in any way I could. Every day, I asked for permission to give the locals food, shelter, and the resources they needed to rebuild their lives. I wanted to be part of something th...

Cellphones have revolutionized the way we communicate, connect, and experience the world. They have shrunk the globe, enabling us to reach across oceans with the tap of a finger and stay in touch with friends, family, and colleagues at all times. With the world constantly at our fingertips, it’s easy to overlook the quiet, insidious toll this hyper-connectivity takes on our mental well-being. A conversation I had recently with a colleague shed light on the unsettling reality many young people face today: the relentless stress of living under the weight of digital expectations. Her children, like many others, are trapped in a constant cycle of checking their phones out of fear of missing something—whether it's a comment, a message, or a meme. It’s not just about staying connected anymore; it's about surviving a digital landscape that thrives on drama, exclusion, and pressure to participate. The fear of being left out, ignored, or ridiculed online is overwhelming, and for many ...

  Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a complex mental health condition that often arises from experiencing or witnessing traumatic events, with veterans being a particularly vulnerable group. For years, Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) has provided medicinal marijuana to veterans suffering from PTSD and depression, alongside other treatments. While marijuana and other recreational drugs have been touted as helpful for managing certain symptoms—such as anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbances—their role in long-term recovery is a subject of ongoing debate. For some, these substances may offer much-needed relief, especially when conventional therapies fail to deliver immediate results. However, for others, such as yourself, they might feel like a temporary fix—an easy way to “numb” the pain, but not an effective solution for truly healing. Let’s take a deeper dive into the growing use of recreational drugs in managing PTSD and explore whether these options truly foster recove...

  Living with anxiety, especially when it’s intertwined with PTSD, hyper-vigilance, and depression, can be overwhelming. For years, I struggled with chronic, disabling anxiety that came with its own set of challenges—mood swings, temper flare-ups, and periods of isolation. Not only did I feel trapped inside my own mind, but I also unknowingly trapped my loved ones in the same struggle. One of the hardest parts of living with anxiety was not knowing how to explain it or how others could help. My wife, who was my closest support system, often asked, “How can I help?” My answer was always the same: “I don’t know.” We were stuck in a cycle where I couldn’t understand how to make it better, and she couldn’t find a way to help. This left us both feeling frustrated and helpless. However, through therapy and a lot of work on myself, I began to heal, and my anxiety started to lessen. I slowly started feeling like myself again, and as I reflect on that journey, I can’t help but think: if...

As someone who spends a fair amount of time in the United States, particularly in Texas, I’ve had the unique opportunity to witness firsthand the distinct gun culture that permeates the country. Having grown up in Canada, I was taken aback by the passion and enthusiasm that Americans, especially in states like Texas, have for firearms. It wasn't just about having a gun—it was about the idea of self-defence, individual rights, and, most notably, the constitutional right to bear arms. A Fundamental Difference in Philosophy In Canada, we view guns very differently. While there are gun owners here, and hunting and sport shooting are certainly popular, the national mindset towards firearms is far more reserved and cautious. The relationship Canadians have with guns doesn’t carry the same intensity or fervor as it does in the U.S., and I often find myself puzzled by this cultural divide. One of my first experiences with this difference occurred when I was chatting with some neighbo...