Dr. Diane McIntosh

#UniMentalHealthDay March 12. Support young people to know when help needed + services available: peer groups, benefits w/counsellor. Good sleep, nutrition, exercise, social connection matter! www.studentminds.org.uk/get-involved... #StudentMentalHealth #YouAreNotAlone @studentmindsorg.bsky.social

A graphic with the text "Why is University Mental Health Day important?" accompanied by logos for UMHAN and Student Minds.

The image promotes "#Uni Mental Health Day," an event hosted by Student Minds and UMHAN. It emphasizes encouraging conversations about student mental health. A desk calendar displaying colored events and a pen is shown, along with the social handle @StudentMindsOrg.

Informational graphic about Uni Mental Health Day. The message highlights the importance of addressing academic pressures, financial concerns, and loneliness for students. It emphasizes the theme "Human Connection," encouraging support and connection in challenging times. The graphic includes the Twitter handle @StudentMindsOrg.

Here's a text-based poster titled "#UniMentalHealthDay" by Student Minds Org, outlining participation methods: using the hashtag on social media, engaging with the community, fundraising, collaborating, and sharing wellbeing tips.

📢 It's ONE WEEK away from #UniMentalHealthDay! 📢

Are you excited? We sure are, and we've been loving all your posts about what you guys have planned for University Mental Health Day.

Don't forget to sign up so you're ready to join us: https://bit.ly/4p0sxE4

#InternationalWomensDay: let's share info to balance mental and extra caregiving load that women often carry. Pleased that postpartum, #perimenopause, #menopause more researched + supported. Improving access to treatment matters! More in #PSYCHEDUP: https://ow.ly/XrFv50YqU7z #WomensMentalHealth

#MDD or #bipolardisorder? Many w/bipolar 1st present w/ #depression. Hypomania subtle. When bipolar misidentified, treatment response may be limited. Validated screening tools matter! Speaking Alberta #Psychiatry Assoc. Mar 20 on strategies to differentiate.
https://albertapsych.org/conference

My story of recovery from self-harming  I thought this would be an easy story to tell. I don't know why I thought that because telling this story is the very definition of vulnerability.

Self-injury Awareness Day (March 1) was created to spread awareness of #SelfInjury, often misunderstood. Those who self-harm can feel alone + afraid to reach for help b/c of stigma. Understanding can #EndStigma. Laura's story: https://ow.ly/4SEQ50Yn4tM #SelfInjuryAwarenessDay #MentalHealth

Gut + brain in constant convo via immune pathways + hormones. Diet, alcohol, chronic stress, poor sleep + inactivity disrupt microbiome, affecting mood, anxiety, cognition. Great vid Canadian Digestive Health Foundation: https://ow.ly/EUev50YliUR

#BrainGutAxis #MentalHealth #LifestyleMedicine

80% of #mentalhealthcare starts in primary care, where most are treated by #generalpractitioners #nursepractitioners. To improve outcomes, let's equip them with tools + resources to support rapid access to effective care. Video on #RapidsHealth: https://ow.ly/JRNb50Yiqal @rapidshealth.bsky.social

Workplaces have the power to make a difference in mental health! 💙 Supporting initiatives like DefeatDepression shows commitment to employee well-being, reduces stigma, and strengthens communities.
🙌 Join our campaign: defeatdepression.ca
#DefeatDepression #MentalHealthMatters #Depression

Brain-gut axis: nervous system, gut + microbiome are bi-directional system shaping inflammation, mood, cognition. Ontario Brain Institute (OBI) shows microbes, immune signals, neural paths affect brain + behaviour: https://ow.ly/TWpn50Yhglt #BrainHealth #BrainGutAxis #Neuroscience #MentalHealth

Meaningful connection = psychological wellbeing. #Loneliness is linked to depression, anxiety, cardiovascular disease, early mortality. This #ValentinesDay, share love in many forms: friendship, #caregiving, mentorship, community, shared purpose. 💗 #SocialConnection #MentalHealth

Eating disorders are complex + treatable. Resharing Cedar's story, a conversation to reduce stigma, improve recognition, get people talking. Pls share w/ families + those in rigid cycles re: body image, self worth, food restrictions. https://ow.ly/fP2V50Ycvbr #EDAW2026 #PSYCHEDUP #eatingdisorders

It's #EatingDisorders Awareness Week. Eating disorders are mental illnesses that can affect anyone, any age, in any body. Challenge harmful beliefs of body size + promote compassionate, evidence-based care! Try to confront weight stigma.
https://ow.ly/BuFE50Y9FrN #EDAW2026 #HealthDoesntHaveALook

#BlueMonday can affect mood as new year novelty fades, there's less light + post holiday blahs. If feeling low, be gentle w/yourself. Prioritize sleep, get light, move your body, seek in-person social connection. https://ow.ly/4skB50XZOrV #SelfCare #SAD

Struggling With Sleep? Five Tips for Better Rest from Psychiatrist Dr. Diane McIntosh shares top tips for rest and good sleep hygiene. Limit coffee after noon, no screens 1 hour pre-bed, no pets in bed, more

Sleep matters! #Insomnia affects mood, concentration, productivity, health. 5 tips for #healthysleep, incl. how to quiet a racing mind at night: https://ow.ly/ebXq50XOKYG #sleephealth #mentalhealthawareness

Making Healthy New Year's Resolutions - Dr. Diane McIntosh Making Healthy New Year's Resolutions. Suggestions from Dr. Diane McIntosh, Canadian psychiatrist and educator. Make a plan in small parts...

Making New Year's Resolutions? Eat the elephant one bite at a time. https://ow.ly/yrjP50XOL03 It takes many steps to realize big changes. It’s easy to forget the value of those steps, which help prepare your mind, body and community for changes. #MentalHealth #GoalSetting #2026Goals

Why do we feel so ‘blah’ after Christmas? A psychologist explains how to overcome the post-Christmas blues.

Great article on The Conversation about dealing blahs after Xmas: https://ow.ly/2aqB50XOsaJ - Post-holiday low mood can happen. Changes in sleep, food, alcohol, and routine all affect how we feel after Christmas. Small, intentional resets can make a difference.

The holidays can be joyful, complicated, quiet, loud, other. If today is celebration, soak it in. If today is tender, know there is no single "right way" to experience it. Taking care of your mental health—resting, setting boundaries—is enough. Share with love! #selfcompassion #mentalhealthmatters

One year since launching #PSYCHEDUP! Whenever you can (pre-/post-feast walk?) revisit a few episodes: drdianemcintosh.com/psychedup/?u... Our goal: to educate, empower + inspire listeners w/honest conversations re #mentalillness + evidence-based care. #mentalhealthcare #mentalhealthpodcasts

Chronic #insomnia isn’t “a bad night’s sleep.” It’s a disabling brain disorder affecting work, relationships, #mentalhealth, quality of life. Allison shares: https://ow.ly/f5OJ50XLPeQ We cover how it feels, which evidence-based treatments help.
#SleepHealth #MentalHealth #BrainHealth #PSYCHEDUP

Friday Dec 19 (tomorrow!) our insomnia episode releases on PSYCHEDUP! I speak with Allison, who lived with chronic insomnia for decades. We explore what insomnia feels like, and evidence-based treatments that can help.
#Insomnia #SleepHealth #MentalHealth #BrainHealth #PSYCHEDUP

Coping with Stress During the Holidays - Dr. Diane McIntosh Coping with Stress During the Holidays - tips from Dr. Diane McIntosh. Prepare, prioritize, say no when you have to, move your body.

Feeling holiday stress? Prioritize what matters most to you. Prepare in advance. Be kind to yourself. More ideas in my blog: https://ow.ly/LF2e50XLCeY #menthalhealth #selfcare #stressmanagement

Dementia affects not just those diagnosed but also caregivers. Your support matters immensely! Supporting dementia caregivers in my blog: https://ow.ly/FhYw50XHE6L #dementiacare #dementiaawareness #caregivingjourney #PSYCHEDUP

For many, holidays = connection + celebration. For others, holidays = stress, financial pressure, conflict, ache of grief. CMHA post re: practical ways to lower stress, set limits, strategies for holiday grief: https://ow.ly/SGri50XGui0 #mentalhealthawareness #holidaymentalhealth #griefsupport

When Stephanie’s mom was diagnosed with #dementia after a stroke, everything changed. We talk about emotional and practical realities of caregiving, coping w/ stress, symptoms, burnout. Listen: ow.ly/QKkk50XE23L
#caregiving #mentalhealthawareness #brainhealth #agingwell #PSYCHEDUP #PSYCHEDUPPodcast

Beyond the Binary: Challenging Mental Illness Gender Stereotypes Eating disorders and other mental illnesses affect all genders. Dr. Diane McIntosh explores how gender stereotypes harm diagnosis, treatment, and recovery.

Eating disorders don't just affect young women; they impact all genders. Rigid ideas of who gets sick narrows understanding of mental illness. More: https://ow.ly/33yq50XyLjc. More on #eatingdisorders in latest #PSYCHEDUP. #anorexianervosa #mentalhealthawarness #mentalhealthpodcast

Eating disorders aren’t vanity or willpower. #Anorexia, #bulimia & #bingeeatingdisorder are complex, tied to trauma, control & self-worth. Recovery is possible. In #PSYCHEDUP, Cedar shares her story. Dr. Mackoff & I discuss what drives #eatingdisorders & what heals.

ow.ly/kz3i50XvWpH #mentalhealth

We all feel anxious sometimes: before big presentations, walking into rooms of strangers. But when does ordinary anxiety cross into #socialanxietydisorder? How to tell the difference + find help: https://ow.ly/FB2V50XrfGJ

#MentalHealthAwareness #SocialAnxiety #Psychiatry #PSYCHEDUP

Thank you NPs for your vital role on front lines of #mentalhealthcare. NPs are keen users of RAPIDS https://ow.ly/ogCQ50Xq8wO, sharing they appreciate help w/diagnostic + treatment clarity, shorter path to best meds + improved patient communication.

#NursePractitionerWeek #PrimaryCareInnovation

Imagine missing grad + friendships b/c your anxiety won't let you attend. In #PSYCHEDUP, I explore what it's like to live w/#socialanxiety + how evidence-based treatment can help reclaim lives. Hannah's touching story: ow.ly/L8at50XoMsB

#mentalhealthawareness #anxietyrecovery #mentalhealthpodcasts

Deep, diaphragmatic breathing reduces stress. Just 5 minutes deep breathing with slow, intentional exhale triggers parasympathetic response. I encourage you to integrate breathing exercises into your week! https://ow.ly/Omjm50XnjbC #WellnessAtWork #InternationalStressAwarenessDay #MentalHealth