Jason Balgopal founder of Mental.Wellness.help

Hi there, I’m Judy Croon, Canada’s Keynote Humourist. A few years ago, during Covid, I did an interview with friend and founder of a group called http://MentalWellness.help Since then, it has expanded tremendously. If you are struggling, please reach out. Free peer support meetings are available around the globe almost 24/7. Sign up here: https://www.meetup.com/mental-wellness-peer-to-peer-support-groups/ Since, this interview, they now offer, free professional therapy sessions with licensed professionals. Yes, free! My guest, Jason Balgopal is a lawyer by day and community volunteer by night. He graduated from Osgoode Hall Law School in Toronto, and was called to the Bar in 1999. His day job has allowed him to appear in all levels of courts in Ontario, and he has conducted all manner of trials including murder trials. Being a perfectionist by nature in an imperfect world was one catalyst which started his downward slide into depression in the early 2000’s. By 2004, he was officially diagnosed with depression, and commenced a 10-year path through darkness. With the help of a psychiatrist, a therapist, some medication, friends, family and his supportive wife, by 2014, he was able to get into a better “head space”. During this time, he found that volunteering gave him an opportunity to develop skills and interests outside of his day job. During this time, he found that volunteering gave him an opportunity to develop skills and interests outside of his day job. Since 2008, many evenings have been spent as a leader on the Board of Directors of numerous not-for-profit and community organizations. The skills of leadership which he gained on those Boards, combined with a desire to give back to the community, drove him in 2015, to create the Mental Wellness Peer Support Groups. Currently, after work, he spends most evenings ensuring that the 6 weekly Peer Support Groups are successful, and finding ways to grow and promote these free and confidential groups to a wider audience. The format is one hour long. Each person may (but doesn’t have to) share how their mental wellness is affecting them. They can then get “feedback” from another member (which is empathy or a technique which has worked for that other member…none of us will tell someone what they “should” do…as none of us is a professional). The groups have been very popular as they offer three significant benefits: 1. Members learn that they are not alone, and that there are others like them suffering; 2. Members can unburden themselves to a sympathetic ear…rather than continue to over-burden their spouse or parents who don’t have the lived-history to help; 3. Members can get real-world suggestions of techniques which others have used successfully. Here are some important links: 1. Our website: www.MentalWellness.help and 2. Our FB Page: www.facebook.com/MentalWellness.help/ and, 3. The link to our virtual video conferencing meetings, at which people can sign up (for FREE...all the meetings we offer are for free), at https://www.meetup.com/mental-wellness-peer-to-peer-support-groups/ 4. A video explaining our groups: youtu.be/8rM7Y47KuVc - Again, here is the group www.MentalWellness.help if you want to speak to a group within 24 hours. Just remember that you are not alone. As stated in previous shows on mental health, you can also reach out to the following sources: www.CAMH.ca -Canada Suicide Prevention Helpline at www.CrisisServicesCanada.ca or call 1-833-456-4566. -Text the crisis line via SMS 686868. -Wellness Together Canada at www.ca.portal.gs -Finally, f you are in crisis now, you can call 911. For further info, you can reach me at www.JudyCroon.com