Blog - Dr. Christina Bjorndal

How I Really Feel About Suicide Prevention Week

Recently, it was suicide prevention week in Canada. There were many posts from people and companies talking about the tragedy of suicide and importance of prevention. It tugs at my heart every year because I have personally had a suicide attempt that came at one of my darkest times. My heart is always with those…

Myths about suicide and what my suicide attempts have taught me

Today is World Suicide Prevention Day. It is a day every year where I think about those who have died by suicide, those who have been affected by suicide, have suicidal ideations and reflect on my personal suicide attempts. Suicide can be a very painful topic for people to talk about. I wanted to share…

My Personal Experience with Mania & the Police

There is so much deserved attention right now on the role of the police in crisis management. The attention is stirring up important conversations around questions like “what is the best management for different types of crises?” and “how do we respond with compassion instead of force when the crisis involves someone’s mental health?”. Many…

Have you been prescribed The Pill to “treat” a hormone condition?

The pill is not a hormone solution The birth control pill was a great thing for women when it was first released. As a method of contraception, it meant that women could control their own fertility for the first time in history. But since then, “the pill”, as it’s now known, has become a first-line…

What is GABA, and how does it help relaxation?

Gamma-amino butyric acid, or GABA for short, is a neurotransmitter, like serotonin or dopamine. Neurotransmitters act like messengers in the central nervous system to transmit messages and brain function that turn into thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. GABA controls feelings of calm and relaxation. It is inhibitory in the brain, meaning it slows nerve firing in…

Eckhart Tolle On Using Awareness in Stressful Times, part 2

The following is a continuation of a transcript of a free talk by spiritual teacher Eckhart Tolle on Conscious Manifestation, speaking about how to decrease fear, worry, and anxiety by gaining a new perspective using awareness. It is an excellent talk! READ PART 1: CLICK HERE Now, what to do with awareness The foundational step…

Eckhart Tolle On Using Awareness in Stressful Times, part 1

The following is a transcript of a free talk by spiritual teacher Eckhart Tolle on Conscious Manifestation, speaking about how to decrease fear, worry, and anxiety by gaining a new perspective using awareness. It is an excellent talk! Whenever you encounter adversity, loss, or extreme limitation – some kind of disruption – that is a…

How to Choose a Fish Oil for Depression and Anxiety

Omega 3 Fatty Acids, commonly called ‘fish oils’ are a category of fats that are essential to mental health. Essential, meaning that the body requires them for many important functions, and we cannot make them ourselves; we must get them from the diet. Omega 3 fatty acids have been well studied for many conditions, and…

My Personal Forgiveness Practice

I’ve been diving deep into my own practice of forgiveness lately. Forgiving is not just a singular act, it is a practice that takes work, effort, and can feel so uncomfortable sometimes that we want to quit and stay mad and be right. But, it also feels so good once we start getting the hang…

Social Connection in a Time of Social Distancing

This week, May 4th – May 10th, 2020 is Mental Health Week. As someone who has struggled with a number of mental illnesses and who now works with others to help them overcome theirs, I feel this is a very important week. It is a week that helps to shift societal beliefs and perceptions about…