Mental health

3 min 0 120

Getting into yoga

Peak Web November 2, 2026

There are yoga studios and classes offered all over the city. There are many books, websites, videos, and guides for every type and experience level. But what exactly is yoga, and what are its benefits?  Yoga has thousands of years of history and culture behind it. It originated from the Indian subcontinent, where it emerged from several spiritual practices. It was, and still is, used to develop spirituality, consciousness, and harmony in the body and mind. According to EBSCO, “the term ‘yoga’ derives from the Sanskrit root ‘Yuj’ meaning to ‘unite.”’ In most of the West today, yoga is done…

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A person wearing a winter jacket and a beanie walking down a path surrounded by snow-covered trees
3 min 0 770

The season for seasonal affective disorder and the winter blues

Peak Web September 13, 2026

Someone with seasonal affective disorder (SAD) experiences depression related to daylight changes during seasonal transitions. Some of the symptoms of SAD overlap with common depression symptoms, like a loss of interest in activities, low energy, hopelessness, and sleep issues. Diagnostic…

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Portrait of NDP’s Gord Johns next to paper collage of the outline of a head with a flower blooming inside
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NDP MP Gord Johns introduces motion to increase mental health services

Peak Web June 7, 2026

On April 27, New Democratic Party (NDP) member of parliament Gord Johns introduced motion M-31 in the House of Commons focused on mental health services in Canada. This is a private members’ motion: a motion introduced by individual members who…

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A small figure looks despairing at a yellow giant figure with a crown. The figure is a metaphor for the unachievable standard the figure projects onto himself.
6 min 0 636

A letter of challenge from a recovering perfectionist

Peak Web November 11, 2025

Are you a perfectionist? Start with this short checklist: Do you set big goals for yourself, yet feel no sense of accomplishment if you reach them?  Are you highly critical of yourself and/or others? Do you struggle to experiment or…

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ILLUSTRATION: A warm bowl of Udon noodles, with cut tofu slices and vegetables (carrots, green onion) near the bowl
3 min 0 1792

Easy udon for when the executive isn’t functioning

Peak Web May 30, 2025

A dear friend shared this recipe with me, knowing I was struggling to cook regularly because of mental health challenges. This super easy udon is her go-to when she is low on energy. I could see it was effective right…

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This is an illustration of a person doing a yoga pose standing on one leg with their arms above their head. Their heart and brain are drawn with happy faces.
3 min 0 1316

The mind and body are friends, so love them both

Peak Web January 17, 2025

Content warning: brief mentions of mental health issues. Psychotherapy and physical therapy work great on their own. But wouldn’t it be better if they were used in conjunction, and that was the norm? Many people experience anger, anxiety, depression, and…

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A tree on the beach with a swing at sunset
5 min 0 1251

New year, no resolutions, just reflections on life

Peak Web January 9, 2025

I ended 2023 and started 2024 in what I can only describe now as a miserable situation. I was living in a place where I no longer felt comfortable, and was becoming unsafe. However, despite my misery, I remained for…

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An illustration of a man holding text bubbles with typical messages found in self help books aimed to men, such as “Master attraction, charm, and seduction.”
5 min 0 1919

Unpacking patriarchal self-help

Peak Web October 7, 2024

The self-help industry, meaning books, media, and services geared towards personal growth and improvement, has grown to become a billion-dollar industry — in 2022, the self-help genre accounted for 17% of non-fiction book purchases in Canada. Among these books is…

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This is a photo of Vansh Sobti wearing a cream-coloured anxiety hoodie and holding up a navy-coloured one to the left
3 min 0 4375

SFU student creates hoodie for people with anxiety

Peak Web September 17, 2024

SFU Beedie student Vansh Sobti has designed an “anxiety hoodie” for his clothing brand Cloud Nine Clothing. Sobti’s clothing line was created to provide “ultimate comfort and relaxation” for students with their mental health in mind. The hoodie features a…

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The door to SFU’s Health and Counselling Centre.
4 min 0 1869

The BC government should pay for therapy

Peak Web June 27, 2024

Right now, about 17% of BC residents are experiencing issues with mental health and substance use. If you’ve ever considered therapy or counselling, have you wondered if you’ll have to pay out of pocket? Psychotherapy services are not covered by…

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