Care2Listen

Description: 

Providing support and innovative solutions for caregivers who are assisting the aging population. Debbie Hertha shares her expertise in gerontology, offering insights into the challenges faced by caregivers and suggesting creative ways to enhance the well-being of seniors. The episode emphasizes understanding the needs and capabilities of the elderly, the emotional toll on caregivers, and the importance of community and professional resources to aid in effective caregiving.

Summary:

In this episode of the "Care to Listen" podcast, host Sean Burke talks with Debbie Hertha, who has a deep background in caring for older adults and runs a company called Creative Aging. Debbie shares her experiences and the challenges that come with helping seniors and their caregivers. She offers useful tips for improving the lives of elderly people and talks about the personal and emotional challenges caregivers face. The conversation covers a lot of ground, including how to better support aging parents and what can be done to help those caring for them.

Content Warning: 

This audio episode contains some sensitive content, such as discussions of addiction, the ongoing opioid crisis, suicide, grieving, and loss. As such, we recommend that you listen to it with caution.

Takeaways:

• Think Differently About Aging: Debbie talks about focusing on what elderly people can still do, instead of just their problems. This helps come up with better ways to help them keep living a full life.

• Understand the Strain on Caregivers: The episode sheds light on how hard caregiving can be, emotionally and physically. It discusses why caregivers need to find ways to take care of themselves too.

• Customized Help for Seniors: Debbie explains her way of working directly with older adults to really understand what they need and prefer, which makes her care plans more effective.

• Support for Caregivers is Crucial: Debbie points out that there’s a big need for more help for caregivers, including in workplaces and through community resources, so they can keep up with their responsibilities without burning out.

Time Stamps:

00:00:00- Introduction of Debbie Hertha and the topic of supporting caregivers and the aging population.

00:04:00 - Debbie describes her early experiences working with seniors and her decision to study gerontology.

00:08:00 - Discussion on the creative approaches to supporting aging populations and the inception of Creative Aging.

00:12:00 - Debbie talks about the emotional toll on caregivers and the importance of self-care and support networks.

00:20:00 - Exploration of the complexities and challenges faced by caregivers in both their professional and personal lives.

00:28:00 - Debbie and Sean discuss the growing need for services as the population ages and the impact on caregivers working in various capacities.

Resources:

In this episode of "Care to Listen," Tala Endacott, a master’s candidate and registered social worker, shares how her personal battles with mental health have shaped her professional approach to compassionate, patient-centered care—Discover Tala's advocacy for systemic change in healthcare and her insights on maintaining caregiver well-being.

Content Warning: 

This audio episode contains some sensitive content, such as discussions of addiction, the ongoing opioid crisis, suicide, grieving, and loss. As such, we recommend that you listen to it with caution.

Takeaways:

• Transforming Personal Pain into Professional Guidance: Discover how Tala's journey through personal challenges deeply influences her empathetic approach in social work, offering a unique perspective on patient care.

• Championing Change in Healthcare: Learn about Tala's efforts in advocacy, particularly for gender-affirming care, and how she pushes for a healthcare system that embraces inclusivity and supportive practices.

• Prioritizing Self-Care in Social Work: Tala highlights the critical need for self-care among caregivers. Gain insights on how maintaining personal well-being is essential for effectively supporting others.

• Embracing Growth and New Approaches: Join Tala as she explores the evolving landscape of social work, demonstrating the importance of adapting and learning new methods to enhance patient interactions and outcomes.

Time Stamps:

00:00:00 - Introduction of Tala Endacott and the start of the podcast.

00:00:54 - Tala begins to share her personal journey and reasons for choosing social work.

00:02:07 - Discussion about Tala’s early struggles with mental health issues.

00:03:28 - Insights into the hospital environment and its impact during Tala’s treatment.

00:04:44 - Tala talks about the importance of patient-led treatment and the challenges in the healthcare system.

00:10:14 - Tala reflects on self-care strategies and managing burnout.

00:14:26 - Tala shares her experience with the Care to Speak line and its influence.

00:21:59 - Tala discusses her hopes and future aspirations within the field of social work.

Resources:

In this episode of the Care to Listen podcast, Angel Leung, a registered nurse and founder of Baby Bean Consulting, shares her moving journey through personal loss to professional advocacy, highlighting the gaps in healthcare support for women facing pregnancy loss. Her story emphasizes the vital need for compassionate, individualized care and the critical role of healthcare workers' well-being in delivering effective support.

Content Warning: 

This audio episode contains some sensitive content, such as discussions of addiction, the ongoing opioid crisis, suicide, grieving, and loss. As such, we recommend that you listen to it with caution.

Takeaways:

• Personal Experience as a Catalyst for Change: Angel's personal journey through recurrent pregnancy losses led her to establish Baby Bean Consulting, emphasizing the need for more supportive and personalized care for women experiencing miscarriage and pregnancy loss.

• Gaps in Healthcare Systems: The discussion illuminates the healthcare system's shortcomings in adequately supporting women through the challenges of pregnancy loss, underscoring the importance of advocacy and personalized care.

• The Importance of Mental and Self-Care for Healthcare Workers: Angel stresses the significance of self-care for healthcare professionals, advocating for a shift towards acknowledging and prioritizing their well-being to maintain the capacity to provide care for others.

• Financial Support for Seeking Help: Angel points out that many people might not realize that registered nursing care, such as the services provided by Baby Bean Consulting, can often be covered by extended health benefits, making support more accessible.

• The Power of Community and Shared Experiences: Angel's engagement with various communities and her experience speaking at events demonstrate the prevalence of pregnancy loss and the profound impact of having spaces for shared experiences and support.

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Time Stamps:

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest

00:28 Trigger Warning and Start of Season Two

00:40 Guest Introduction: Angel Leung

01:20 Angel's Background and Journey into Nursing

02:41 The Birth of Baby Bean Consulting

03:51 The Impact of Pregnancy Loss

04:21 Angel's Personal Experience with Pregnancy Loss

04:33 The Reality of Miscarriage Statistics

05:34 The Struggles of Navigating the Healthcare System

10:51 The Importance of Advocacy in Healthcare

11:36 The Role of Baby Bean Consulting

16:19 The Importance of Self-Care for Healthcare Workers

31:32 The Future of Baby Bean Consulting

36:51 The Importance of Language in Discussing Pregnancy Loss

42:55 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Resources:

In this episode of the Care to Listen podcast, host Sean Burke speaks with Dr. Julia Smith about the impact of moral distress on healthcare workers and the structural changes required for support. Dr. Smith, a healthcare expert and researcher, shares valuable insights from her years of study on the role of women in healthcare, gender and health inequities, and the double or triple burden of care work faced by women. They touch upon the potential benefits of valuing care work and its essential contribution to society at the same level as other sectors. The episode emphasizes the need to address staffing crises, care work issues, and mental health challenges among healthcare workers through societal and structural changes, including increased mental health support for workers in the healthcare sector and more flexibility in work hours. While the lessons learned during the COVID-19 crisis were touched upon, the expectation is that these learnings will be used in addressing the current challenges of the health care sector.

Content Warning: 

This audio episode contains some sensitive content, such as discussions of addiction, the ongoing opioid crisis, suicide, grieving, and loss. As such, we recommend that you listen to it with caution.

Takeaways:

• Impact of Moral Distress on Healthcare Workers: Dr. Smith highlights the profound impact of moral distress experienced by healthcare workers when they are unable to provide the care they feel is necessary due to structural constraints, emphasizing the need for systemic changes to address these issues.

• Gender and Health Inequities: The discussion brings attention to the role of women in healthcare, focusing on gender inequities and the disproportionate burden of care work shouldered by women, both professionally and at home.

• Value of Care Work: Both Sean and Dr. Smith discuss the societal need to reevaluate and elevate the value assigned to care work, recognizing its essential contribution to the overall functioning of society and the economy.

• Structural and Societal Changes: The conversation underscores the necessity for structural changes to support healthcare workers, including addressing staffing crises, increasing mental health support, and offering more flexible work arrangements to balance professional and caregiving responsibilities.

• Lessons from COVID-19: Reflecting on the COVID-19 crisis, Dr. Smith advocates for using the lessons learned to improve healthcare worker support and to avoid repeating past mistakes, stressing the importance of reflection and learning from this global event.

• Leadership and Decision-Making: The dialogue highlights the need for inclusive leadership and decision-making processes in healthcare settings, allowing for the voices of frontline workers to inform policies and practices, thereby reducing moral distress and enhancing worker well-being.

Time Stamps:

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest

00:44 Dr. Julia Smith's Background and Expertise

02:51 The Impact of Moral Distress on Healthcare Workers

13:52 The Need for Structural Changes in Healthcare

18:06 The Role of Women in Healthcare and Gender Inequities

23:15 The Importance of Care Work and Its Value

41:59 The Future of Healthcare and Desired Changes

Resources: Example

In this edition of the Care2Listen podcast, British Columbia's Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, Jennifer Whiteside, provides further details about the Ministry's efforts to assist caregivers around the province.  This includes discussions on collaboration across ministries, the Overdose Public Health Emergency, and programs to address mental health issues in British Columbia.

Content Warning: 

This audio episode contains some sensitive content, such as discussions of addiction, the ongoing opioid crisis, suicide, grieving, and loss. As such, we recommend that you listen to it with caution.

In this episode of the Care to Listen podcast, host Sean Burke engages in a broad conversation with the Honourable Jennifer Whiteside, the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions in British Columbia. Whiteside discusses her background as the former Minister of Education and Child Care and her role as the chief negotiator for the hospital employees union. She shares her perspective on the mental health challenges exposed by the pandemic, particularly in the healthcare sector, and the need for services to be integrated and seamless for patients. The discussion also covers British Columbia's recent decriminalization of certain drugs and the government’s focus on providing appropriate, culturally led mental health and addiction services for Indigenous communities. The complex nature of the ongoing toxic drug crisis is discussed along with strategies for prevention, treatment, care, and recovery that BC's Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions is working on.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction

00:26 Guest's Journey into Politics and Mental Health Advocacy

01:35 Impact of COVID-19 on Mental Health and Healthcare Workers

02:54 Role of Ministry in Continuing Mental Health Programs

05:34 Collaboration with Other Ministries in Addressing Mental Health Issues

11:31 Challenges and Strategies in Addressing the Toxic Drug Crisis

18:23 Support for Healthcare Workers and Importance of Reaching Out

21:57 Indigenous-led Solutions in Mental Health

24:23 Long-term Vision and Strategy for Mental Health Care

28:32 Appreciation for Healthcare Workers and Encouragement for Self-Care

31:15 Conclusion and Final Remarks

Resources: 

Jonathan Orr, a Provincial Crisis Intervention Specialist, opens up about his personal experiences with addiction, and shares how he has used his own experiences to support others and influence positive change.

Time Stamps:

 0:00 – Welcome and guest intro and background

 0:18 – Land Acknowledgement 

 0:26 – Trigger warnings notification around: addiction, overdose, suicide, and trauma.

 0:35 – Hello and guest self introduction

 1:15 - Understanding through lived experience

 2:20 - Residential treatment at Pacifica

 2:50 - Embracing humanity and connection

 3:40 - Living at the Belkin House, resistance and fears

 4:40 - Struggle of finding housing

 6:10 -  Working at Insite

 6:15 - Trigger warning: Overdoses

 6:25 - Start of the drug toxicity crisis and responding to the crisis with overdose prevention sites

 9:00 - Aggression as a trauma response

10:20 - Importance of patience and kindness

12:12 - Peer support training program for peers by peers: Street Degree

13:30 - Training program by people with lived experience: Peer Connect

14:40 - Patience is key

15:50 - Including everyone in the conversation

17:20 - Bringing kindness to intersecting crises

19:45 - Small barriers

21:10 - Pushing healthcare workers beyond their limits

23:58 - No one is prepared for the toll this work takes

24:28 - Additional trauma and difficulty coping after stepping away

26:21 - Community care over self care

28:28 - Overlapping crises and stigma

32:35 - Recovery resources and supports available

35:05 - The power of choice and self determination 

37:00 - Healthy coping mechanisms

44:00 - Advice for listeners

45:00  – Thank you and wrap up

45:20 – Outro 

Resources: 

Alyssa Pelletier, an Indigenous Mental Health and Substance Use Lead, shares her story as a Métis woman discussing Indigenous cultural safety in the healthcare system. 

Time Stamps:

 0:00 – Welcome and guest intro and background

 0:15 – Land Acknowledgement 

 0:23 – Trigger warnings notification around: 

Grief and loss, Indigenous cultural genocide and trauma, Indian hospitals and residential schools.

 0:35 – Hello and guest self introduction

 2:11 – Approach to work in mental health and substance use with compassionate lens

 3:06 –Trigger warning: Loss of parents

 3:58 – The support of community to lean on- Trigger warning: colonization and targeted trauma

 4:50 – Traditional approach to substance use and mental health  

 5:28 – Self care vs collective care 

 6:38 – Prioritizing collective care at work    

7:39 – In Plain Sight Report, looking at discrimination at work 

            Trigger warning: racism and discrimination  

 9:35 – Challenges for Indigenous health care workers

11:22 – Trigger warning: Indian hospital and residential school trauma 

12:04 – Empathetic and informed approach based on history of Indigenous people in Canada

12:25 – Equitable care in marginalized populations – Trigger warning: discrimination

13:01 – Recognizing privilege and putting in the work to learn

13:47 – Cultural safety in health care   

15:55 – Quadrants of the medicine wheel 

17:15 – Supporting mental health of Indigenous colleagues  

19:45 – What your work means to you – Trigger warning: loss of patient  

23:20 – Having a connection with the people you lost

24:12 – Creating inclusive and culturally safe workplaces

26:02 – Changes that need to be made on a system level 

27:10 – Prioritizing our health care workers 

27:30 – Thank you and wrap up

27:55 – Outro 

Resources: 

Shannon shares her firsthand accounts of the importance of setting healthy boundaries in caregiving and the consequences that can arise when these boundaries are not established. Whether you're a caregiver or simply interested in understanding the challenges and rewards of caregiving, this episode provides a compassionate and informative perspective on a vital aspect of healthcare.

Time Stamps:

 0:00 – Welcome and guest intro and background

 0:24 – Land Acknowledgement 

 0:32 – Trigger warnings notification around substance use, grief and loss of parent

 0:40 – Hello and guest welcome

 2:11 – New book – ‘Patient Doesn’t Come First You Do’

 4:10 – Why healthcare? - Trigger warning: Substance abuse

 6:00 – Being a family caregiver – Trigger warning: loss of parent (s)

 8:05 – Boundaries in work – home life 

10:18 – “Suck it up” mentality and asking for help 

12:34 – Empathy is our superpower    

15:05 – How we speak to ourselves matters

15:50 – The need to put yourself first 

19:05 – Why is this the cultural norm?

20:35 – What steps can we take to make a change?

22:24 – Walk alongside the patient 

23:18 – Finding the balance and setting boundaries  

24:35 – Realistic boundary setting  

28:00 – Paradigm shift in healthcare 

30:48 – Why is there pushback? 

34:01 – Conclusion and final thoughts 

36:32 – Outro 

Resources: 

Stacy Ashton, Executive Director of the Crisis Centre of B.C., discusses the lessons she has learned throughout her career and the importance of staying soft in the face of difficult circumstances.

Time Stamps:

 0:00 – Welcome and intro

 0:18 – Land Acknowledgement 

 0:26 – Trigger warnings notification around suicide and loss 

 0:35 – Guest introduction and background

 0:47 – About the Crisis Centre of BC

 2:00 - Changes in the past couple of years

 2:55 - Operational efficiencies and systematic change

 3:33 - Competing priorities

 4:11 - Treatment and expectations of volunteers vs employees

 5:30 - Cutting corners in caregiving

 5:45 - Why workers harden

 6:47 - Volunteers have more time than nurses to spend with patients

 9:00 - Finding balance

11:00 - Care to Speak peer support line

12:08 - What types of calls go to Care to Speak?

13:38 - the human experience of pain and despair

14:24 - Examples of recent wins in the field

15:49 - How important is culture in the workplace for psychological safety?

16:45 - When people open up to reduce stigma, it gives permission to others to be soft

18:00 - Driving change using social power

18:30 - Be clear about the change you want to see

19:35 - Be an advocate

21:10 - This work is not for everyone

21:32 - Continue to stay soft. Come with compassion

21:50 – Wrap up. Thank you to guest

22:22 – Conclusion 

Resources: 

Squamish Nation Elder, Florence Williams, shares her experience in the healthcare sector through storytelling to support the next generation of healthcare workers.

Time Stamps:

 0:00 – Welcome and intro

 0:18 – Land Acknowledgement 

 0:26 – Trigger warnings notification around loss of patient and miscarriage  

 0:35 – Guest introduction and background

 3:32 – Coming home

 4:52 – Who are we? 

 7:40 – Feeling at home

 9:57 – Acknowledge who we are and where we are from

11:11– Self care doesn’t have to be complicated

14:12 – Pressures of the system

18:00 – Our gifts 

19:50 – Trigger Warning: miscarriage 

22:56 – Gifts in the family are weakening 

25:32 – Love languages in healthcare   

28:00 – Understanding your audience and respecting them 

29:00 – What information to collect 

34:16 – Asking about race and ethnicity 

37:19 – Respecting Indigenous patients 

38:35 – Challenges in the healthcare sector 

40:52 – Self esteem and taking care of yourself 

41:35 – Walking alongside patients

41:50 – Trigger Warning: loss of patient 

45:00 – In the big picture 

47:00 – Wrap up 

47:50 – Thank you to guest

48:00 – Conclusion

Resources: 

Mikhail Nisenboym shares his story as an immigrant moving to Canada, talks about his mental health struggles while supporting a family, and the nuanced experience of being a man in a traditionally female dominated healthcare industry.

Time Stamps:

 0:00 – Welcome and intro

 0:19 – Land Acknowledgement 

 0:27 – Trigger warnings notification around suicide, loss of patient and addiction 

 1:14 – Guest introduction and background

 3:30 – Struggling to adjust as refugee

 4:11 – Trigger warning: antisemitism and discrimination

 5:12 – Being a male in a female dominated industry

 7:10 – Getting started in healthcare  

 8:42 – Supporting family members with dementia 

10:01 – Trigger warning: dealing with loss of patient 

11:52 – Processing and dealing with grief  

13:40 – Empathy for others

13:55 – Trigger warning: depression and addiction 

16:30 – Why are you the way you are?

16:50 – Trigger Warning: addiction 

18:27 – Personal relationship

20:16 – Trigger Warning: suicide 

22:07 – How to move forward  

22:40 -  Needed counselling 

23:03 – Trigger Warning: loss and grief

24:10 – Battling depression 

25:05 – Moving into the healthcare industry  

26:08 – The need for counselling and supports  

27:23 – Difficult relationship

27:58 – Trigger Warning: mental abuse  

30:09 – Not having support at home but having to support others at work 

31:20 – Moving forward finding love 

32:47 – Ad – Care 2 Speak  

33:06 – Dealing with a spinal injury 

34:53 – Being on disability and other supports 

36:15 – Mental health effects of spinal injury  

36:43 – Trigger Warning: thoughts of suicide 

37:45 – Depression from the pain  

38:03 – Focusing on family and hope 

39:16 – Supports during a difficult time 

40:25 – Biggest piece of advice for men: Get Help!

41:20 – Ability to recognize you are not alone 

42:15 – Encouraging men to share what you are going through 

42:43 – Trigger Warning: Loss of patient 

43:28 – Build up of issues over time

44:55 – Supports in place for health care workers

47:57 – Challenges for immigrants 

49:30 – Challenges of the industry (meeting demands but understanding human element) 

50:45 – Having to make difficult decisions at work 

51:58 – Wrap up 

52:30 – Thank you to guest

52:45 – Conclusion 

Resources: 

Tonya Neufeld discusses the mental health challenges faced by healthcare workers and the necessary steps to create supportive and healthy work environments.

Time Stamps:

 0:03 – Welcome 

 0:15 – Goals of podcast series

 0:23 – Ad for Care 2 Speak 

 0:50 – Trigger warnings notification around suicide and postpartum depression

 1:00 – Land Acknowledgement 

 1:09 – Guest introduction 

 4:10 – Themes that come up from staff include: violence on the job, addictions and mental health 

 5:23 – Psychological safety in the workplace 

 5:59 – Trigger Warning:  Paranoia and Depression - Personal experience mental health crisis

 7:42 – Treatment and medication side effects

 8:23 – Mental health supports/CREST House 

 9:49 – Trigger Warning: Depression/Anxiety -Physical symptoms how mental health shows up

11:05 – Signs that things weren’t right

11:50 – Trigger Warning: Obsessive Compulsive – effects on personal life

12:25 – Returning to work and stigma around mental health

13:00 – Identifying supports at work

13:55 – Having a conversation and responding to questions

14:53 – Mental health awareness through storytelling 

17:03 – Trigger Warning: Talk of Violence/Pre-natal depression

19:25 – Sharing how you are feeling with someone  

20:30 – Supports in the workplace and resources 

21:45 – Prioritize self care 

23:07 - Navigating and overcoming conflict  

25:50 – Have conversation with someone outside workplace, Care 2 Speak 

27:06 – Stigma in the workplace 

27:25 – Trigger Warning: Suicide 

29:25 – Find someone who is empathetic with how you are feeling

30:03 – Trigger Warning: Suicide and Loss 

31:37 – You are not alone and don’t suffer in silence 

34:25 – Closing 

Resources: 

Bernard Piprah discusses the importance of wellbeing in healthcare and how the culture of being overworked and busy has been normalized in the industry, leading to stigma around prioritizing self-care.

Time Stamps:

 0:03 – Welcome 

 0:15 – Goals of podcast series

 0:23 – Ad for Care to Speak 

 0:52 – Trigger warnings notification

 1:00 – Land Acknowledgement 

 1:10 – Guest introduction 

 3:42 – What are the challenges healthcare workers are facing?

 4:19 – Supporting patients with dementia and challenges both physical and mental

 5:29 – Culture of well-being in healthcare settings

 5:56 – What does counselling look like for healthcare workers that come to you? 

 6:45 – Exploring circumstances that prevent you from prioritizing well-being /Stigma

 8:05 – Acknowledging its ok to not be okay

 8:50 – Importance of starting from top of organization

 9:51 – Understanding what self care is 

11:45 – Culture and stigma at work

13:38 – Challenging the idea of being “tough”

14:41 – Rivalry between professions

16:25 – Not everyone will see things the same way 

17:49 – Understanding your benefits and resources

19:37 – How we evolve and our values evolve 

21:20 – Microaggressions in the workplace

25:17 – Tips/tools if a colleague approaches you for help

27:38 -  Care to Speak Line as resource 

28:11 – Connection not comparison 

29:06 – Closing 

Resources: 

Kara Acheson is a healthcare practitioner with over 15 years of experience. She discusses the impacts of burnout in healthcare and the importance of ensuring that frontline workers have safe places to build mental wellness practices.

TW: Loss of patient, postpartum depression

Resources: 

Dr. Heather Cooke has more than 20 years’ experience working in dementia care, in both a front-line and research capacity. Heather’s work is supported by the Alzheimer Society of Canada, the Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research, and WorkSafeBC. During this episode Sean and Heather discuss the significance about the nature and impact of workplace incivility on staff well-being and care delivery.

Resources:

Pierre Florendo is the Director of Care at Kiwanis Care Centre in New Westminster BC. During this episode Sean and Pierre discuss the difficulties of the pandemic, the mindset of working in continuing care, balancing work and family, and the importance of quality leadership.

Welcome to the Care2Listen podcast and video series, produced by SafeCare BC, CMHA BC, and CheckingIn.

The goal of this podcast is to reduce the stigma around mental health for healthcare providers and shed light on caregivers' difficulties while providing accessible resources and support for those who need it. In each episode, we will showcase topics that impact a healthcare professional and give them a platform to share their story and lived experience with these topics. We will also aim to bring in subject matter experts to help with providing evidence-based tools to help with these challenges.

You can listen to Episode 1 here on January 23rd.