Episode 3: Recovering Resilience in the Face of Mental Illness with Augustina Ampofo

Today's episode is with Augustina Ampofo, a mental health advocate who has been diagnosed with Bipolar II Disorder and speaks openly about her experiences with psychosis.

During this conversation, we discuss why she became a mental health advocate and our complicated relationship with health-related labels. We also talk about the importance of creativity in her recovery process; specifically, how journaling, art therapy and dancing have been an integral part of her healing journey. Throughout the conversation, we break some misconceived notions about mental illness.

Episode 2: The Patient's Perspective from the Doctor's Perspective with Ariel Lefkowitz

Today’s guest is my friend Ariel Lefkowitz, someone who I met a few months ago and has been instrumental in the creation of this podcast.

Ariel is an internal medicine physician and medical educator at the University of Toronto. He has a background in theatre, improv, and creative writing, and his research focuses on ethics, improving physician communication, person-centred care, and the doctor-patient relationship.

We often go to doctors when we are at our most vulnerable - from the joy of giving birth to the devastation of our death. When there is something wrong with our bodies or minds, that can be incredibly scary and traumatic. Within this context, the relationships between doctors and their patients can be quite significant; particularly if we are being diagnosed with a chronic or terminal illness.

So how do we build healthier and more equitable relationships between healthcare providers and their patients that promote healing while mitigating the effects of burnout? That is what we discuss in the conversation you are about to hear, along with topics such as improving communication between patients and doctors, the importance of advocacy for changes in the system, and how to create a more integrated healthcare system.