Synapspark

10/10/2026

Today is World Mental Health Day..

Back in June of this year I was honoured to be invited to speak at a community event focused on mental health.

I started my talk by saying that I originally planned on conducting some research.

But I did not have to.

I did not have to because I have lived it...as have many of you.

On this day, World Mental Health Day, we recognize the opportunity to meaningfully engage with people with lived experience (PWLE) of mental health and to recognize their knowledge as a vital form of expertise.

Too often, PWLE are asked to share their stories but are excluded from the decisions that affect them directly.

Meaningful engagement extends beyond simply being heard.

It means creating opportunities for people to influence decisions, co-design services, strengthen peer-led approaches, challenge stigma and strengthen accountability.

When PWLE are meaningfully engaged, mental health systems are likely to become more person-centred, rights-based and responsive to people's needs and concerns.

One important priority for PWLE is the shift away from long-stay psychiatric institutions towards community-based, person-centered mental health care.

Institutions tend to be isolating and are too often associated with poor-quality care, coercion and human rights abuses.

Deinstitutionalization requires a carefully planned shift in funding, services and support so that people can live in their communities.

On this World Mental Health Day, let us move from listening to action – and build mental health systems with PWLE, not merely for them.

~ Inspired by an article from (WHO) World Health Organization

Be Fearless

Steve

09/18/2026

Respect In the Workplace...

When we are addressing something that isn't sitting right with us in our workplace, and our concerns are dismissed by a colleague or boss saying "That's just how we are," "We've always been this way," "You know how this organization is", or "Quit whining and get on with it", we are being given the message that our needs don't matter as much as preserving the status quo.

Rather than shrinking back and being passive, we can be assertive by saying: "I understand that this is how things have been, but that doesn't mean things have to stay this way. I'm asking for something to change because it's having a negative impact on me, and I need you to take this seriously instead of dismissing it as just 'how we are.'"

By saying this we are acknowledging the history without accepting it as unchangeable, pointing out that tradition doesn't justify harm, and making it clear our feelings matter and deserve consideration while asking them to actually address the issue rather than deflect.

If they respond with "You are trying to change who we are" you can say: "I am not trying to change who we are. I'm asking to be treated with respect. Those are different things."

Don't let them frame your boundary-setting as an attack on the organization's identity.

Wanting to be treated well isn't asking too much.

Be Fearless

Steve

09/15/2026

Join me and Tammy November 26 and 27 in Mississauga for this powerful workshop that will provide you with the skills to help a person who may be thinking about taking their life.

09/15/2026

September is Su***de Prevention Month..

👉 12 people die by su***de every day in Canada (Statistics Canada)

👉 1 in 4 Canadian workers have had thoughts of death or self-harm in the past two weeks (2024 Workplace Data Survey)

👉 12% of Canadians aged 15+ report having had thoughts of su***de at some point in their lifetime (Statistics Canada)

👉 Su***de is the second leading cause of death among youth and young adults aged 15 to 34 in Canada (Statistics Canada)

When I share these statistics in my ASIST (Applied Su***de Intervention Skills Training) workshops, many participants are surprised.

MYTH: Su***de is only caused by mental illness.

A: Having a mental illness can increase your risk of su***de, but many factors and circumstances can contribute to someone’s thoughts of ending their life. Things like loss, addictions, trauma, depression, serious physical illness, and major life changes can make some people feel overwhelmed and unable to cope. (Source: 988)

MYTH: It’s dangerous to ask someone if they are considering su***de.

A: Talking about su***de does not make someone more suicidal. Asking someone if they have been thinking about su***de can open the conversation and help them share their feelings. They may well be glad that you asked. (Source: 988)

MYTH: Su***de is a sign of weakness.

A: Su***de is not a moral weakness or a character flaw. It is not selfish or a cry for attention. These ideas are all part of the stigma that surrounds su***de. Stigma can cause someone who is thinking about su***de to believe that their feelings are something to be ashamed of. It is dangerous and can stop people from seeking help. (Source: 988)
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Ways to Support Su***de Prevention Conversations

📞 988 Su***de Crisis Helpline: call or text 988, available 24/7

📞 Hope for Wellness Helpline for Indigenous Peoples: call 1-855-242-3310, available 24/7

📞 Kids Help Phone: call 1-800-668-6868 or text 6868, available 24/7

09/10/2026

Today is World Su***de Prevention Day..

Thank you IDEA Training Collaborative and my co-trainer Julian Munsayac (our first time working together) for hosting LivingWorks ASIST training over the past couple of days.

14 newly trained Learners - ready, willing and able to help people in their professional and personal lives who may be having thoughts of su***de.

By participating in this powerful training, you can learn the skills to help a person stay alive.

Be Fearless

Steve

***deintervention

08/29/2026

08/17/2026

Everybody carries a bag.

We all pack differently.

We are all trying to figure out how to carry our bag to the best of our ability.

Some travel lightly.

Some are carrying an immense weight.

One day, we will need to sit down to unpack our bag.

Perhaps a family member, a friend, a co-worker or a professional can help us empty the bag and lay everything out...but ultimately, what to keep and what to leave behind is a decision only we can make.

Be Fearless

Steve

08/16/2026

I am honoured to announce that I have won the Diamond level Reader's Choice award for Best Mental Health Consultant in both Oshawa and Ajax.

I am so grateful that my work is making a difference in helping people on their mental wellbeing journey.

Be Well, Be Fearless

Steve

08/12/2026

I am thrilled to announce that I have joined the Board of Directors of
Mosaic Non-Profit Housing.

Mosaic Non-Profit Housing has a proud history that began in 1980. It emerged as an initiative from the founders of the Oshawa Seniors Community Centre with a mission to enhance the lives of seniors in our community by providing affordable housing.

Their first building, Parkview Place, was opened in 1982. It is a seven storey building with 115 apartments located at 25 John Street West in Oshawa.

The founding Board of Directors included six current or retired members of Oshawa Council, the president of the Canadian Auto Workers Union, the City’s Parks and Recreation Director, and the Regional Social Services Commissioner.

Their collaborative spirit laid the groundwork for a vital resource in affordable housing for seniors. For more than 40 years, they operated as Parkview Place Seniors Residence, dedicated to providing quality housing and support.

In 2023, they embraced an exciting new chapter by expanding their mission. The Board of Directors made the strategic decision to evolve from solely managing Parkview Place to becoming a builder and operator of non-profit housing throughout the Oshawa-Whitby-Courtice area.

This transformation led to a rebrand as Mosaic Non-Profit Housing, reflecting their broader commitment to community enrichment.

At Mosaic, we pride ourselves on our proven track record of delivering affordable housing solutions for seniors, backed by a passionate staff and a dedicated Board of Directors. We invite you to join us on this journey as we continue to grow, innovate, and make a positive impact in the lives of those we serve. Housing is our product: community is our asset!

08/11/2026

United Nations International Youth Day..

During my career as a high school teacher in the public and private school systems in Ontario and abroad, I connected with youth from all corners of the globe. Many of them came with their families to Canada from war torn and politically unstable countries where their voices were not heard at all.

August 12 is International Youth Day established to raise awareness of the challenges and opportunities facing young people around the world and to celebrates their role as essential partners in achieving sustainable development.

The observance provides a platform for governments, youth organizations, United Nations entities, civil society, academia, and other stakeholders to promote dialogue, strengthen partnerships, and showcase youth-led initiatives that contribute to more inclusive, peaceful, and sustainable societies.

International Youth Day 2026 recognizes that while young people’s lives are shaped by different national and local realities, their aspirations are remarkably similar. Across countries and communities, young people seek dignity, opportunity, meaningful participation, decent work, quality education, and a sustainable future.

At the same time, these young people continue to demonstrate resilience, leadership, and innovation in advancing sustainable development within their communities and beyond.
Although young people experience different realities depending on where they live, many of today's most pressing challenges transcend borders.

Limited access to quality education, barriers to decent work, unequal digital connectivity, climate change, social exclusion, and concerns about mental well-being affect millions of young people worldwide.

The 2026 theme emphasizes that recognizing different contexts should strengthen - not diminish - global solidarity. By investing in youth everywhere and supporting those facing the greatest barriers, the international community can help ensure that no young person is left behind.

Be Well

Steve