Hi everyone and welcome to the final episode of this season before I take a summer break.

Over the summer I will be doing my usual case updates and Q&A episodes and then I'll be back

officially with a new long episode on October the 1st. I have been working at a frenetic pace

for months now and I need to slow down and get my house

in order, so to speak. And one of my highest priorities is to take care of my declining mental health.

I suspect many of you are in the same boat. This year has been a dumpster fire, but our next big

challenge is on the horizon, and that's managing

the effect that this has had on the mental health of the population. Now, long-time listeners

would know I have a history marked with episodes of anxiety and depression, and this has been a real

roller coaster for me. And now I'm left with the constant pressure of a dark cloud of

overwhelming sadness, guilt and hopelessness hanging over my head. I feel like I've lost control

over my own life. I fear for the future of humanity. It's basically one existential dilemma

after another over at my house and it has zapped all my

energy. And I know I'm not the only one. If you're worried about finances, the education and

well-being of your kids, the spread of COVID-19 and health implications, or if you're feeling

socially excluded or judged, please know that you are not alone.

We are in a legitimate crisis right now and fear, stress and worry is very normal,

despite the highlight reels you might see on social media.

But there are things we can do to start taking care of ourselves just a little better.

Don't let the thought overwhelm you

just start with one small change. I called my family doctor and then I booked myself into therapy,

something I should have done a long time ago. I've started doing 10 minutes of yoga in the morning,

...