Lately, I wake up in the morning feeling the weight of the world pressing down—like I’m bracing for impact before my feet even touch the floor. I thought I had lived through the pandemic of my lifetime, but here we are, navigating another storm—one of fear, uncertainty, and exhaustion.
It’s hard to look away, but it’s even harder to keep watching. The endless doomscrolling, the headlines filled with crisis after crisis—are exhausting. I feel it in my chest, in my mind, in my body. Maybe you do too.
I worry. About my family. About my friends. About my neighbors and my country. I am fortunate to have a support system and strategies that help me process the emotions that come with uncertainty. But I know many people don’t have that privilege.
And the truth is, even before this moment, people were already struggling.
Source: Mental Health Statistics in Canada for 2025 | Made in CA
Half of Canadians have lived with some level of mental health issue by the time they turn 40.
Younger people are the most likely to struggle with mental health conditions.
People with the lowest incomes are 3 to 4 times more likely to experience poor mental health compared to those with higher incomes.
Anyone who has tried to access mental health support knows how difficult it is. An underfunded and under-resourced system makes it hard to find the right tools, the right people, the right help. And now, I can’t help but wonder: how will today’s political and economic turmoil impact the health and wellness of Canadians in an already constrained system?
How do we weather this storm together? How do we become the solution for each other—offering support, compassion, and care in times when it feels like the world is unraveling?
Maybe what I’m about to share is obvious. Maybe it’s not. But these are the things I know help—both for myself and for those around me.
How We Take Care of Ourselves & Each Other
Turn it down, turn it off
- Your mind wasn’t built to carry the weight of the world 24/7. It’s okay to put it down. Take breaks from social media, step away from the news—breathe. The world will still be there when you come back, but you’ll be stronger for the pause.
FACTS first
- Misinformation feeds on fear. Before reacting, ask yourself: Do I know this to be true? Who benefits from me believing this? Who does it harm? Seek out reputable sources, ask open-ended questions, and be mindful of what you share.
Community matters
- Surround yourself with people who lift you up. Find spaces where you feel supported. And if you don’t have that space? Be that person for someone else. A simple check-in, a kind word, an “I’m thinking of you” text can make all the difference.
Take care of your body
- Stress lives in the body. Move. Nourish yourself. Get outside, even if just for a few minutes. Sleep. Hydrate. It sounds simple, but in times of crisis, it’s often the first thing we neglect.
Smile at strangers
- Some days, a smile is the only kindness someone receives. I make it a point to smile at people as I pass them—I’m always surprised by how many smile back. In a world that often feels disconnected, a simple smile says, "I see you. You matter."
The world feels heavy right now. And we don’t know what’s coming next. But what I do know is that we’re stronger when we take care of ourselves and each other.
So let’s do that.
#strongertogether #mentalhealth #communitycare #selfcare #compassion
What’s helping you stay grounded these days? Drop your thoughts in the comments—I’d love to hear them.