Episode Notes

Throughout the last few months, we've featured our sister podcast, Braving the Waves, which is hosted by Mikaela Brewer as part of Unsinkable. We're delighted to bring you back for the final two episodes of the season.

This week, Mikaela speaks with Arielle, a young woman who grew up in a small town and lived a fairly simple life until she reached adulthood. A mom, a wife and a Human Resources Specialist who has decided it's time to share her horrific story with the world. A loving mother who will do anything in her power to help end the stigma of mental health so that her children grow up in a world where people talk about their mental health and are not shamed or judged. A passionate writer who has been writing her novel for five years in hopes of making a difference in the world.

In this episode, we reflect on motherhood, finding the right medications, family support, postpartum depression, navigating psychosis, and completing your self-care puzzle. Here are a few tidbits of our conversation:

• Complete your self-care puzzle, with pieces like exercise & journaling.
• You can be a parent who lives their life and shares their dreams.
• Being mindful of our words and delivery is crucial, especially when discussing diagnoses & symptoms.
• Vulnerability & courage coexist—moving through fear is the ultimate bravery.
• Work towards understanding yourself, your warning signs, and your regulation. For ex: when are your medications needed vs. another form of support?
• Medications won't cure you, and they take time (not like Advil!). They're one piece of the equation and aren't a one-size-fits-all.
• There is often fear around making time back when you're struggling as a mother.
• Don't live in darkness alone—even if one person doesn't connect with you, others will. Don't feel embarrassed or ashamed—you didn't choose to struggle.
• When you're accountable for something, think about what you're going to do about it vs. how you're going to attack yourself about it.

Disclaimer: This Podcast, along with Resolvve’s, Unsinkable’s mental health learning, educational content, and storytelling is not therapy and is not a replacement for therapy. Please seek professional help if needed.

Go to www.resolvve.ca or weareunsinkable.com to get the support you need. Mikaela offers 1:1 peer support here.

Follow Resolvve on Twitter (@Resolvve_Inc), Instagram (@resolvvementalhealth), and YouTube (@resolvvementalhealth).

Follow Unsinkable on Instagram (@unsinkableyouth), TikTok (@unsinkableyouth), and YouTube (@unsinkable).