Depression: Defeating the Mental Illness Stigma

In 2008, Dr. David Goldbloom, one of Canada’s leading expert psychiatrists, began a speech with an excerpt written by a young man in 1841: “I am now the most miserable man living. If what I feel were equally distributed to the whole human family, there would be not one cheerful face on Earth. Whether I shall ever be better, I cannot tell. I awfully forebode I shall not. To remain as I am is impossible. I must die or be better, it appears to me.” The young man who wrote these words was Abraham Lincoln, who later led his nation successfully through the American Civil War.

Broadcasting hope of recovery to the thousands of Canadians coping with mental illness, this gripping account mimics some of the symptoms of depression. “One of my darkest days is when I attempted suicide in 2004,” says Richard Braudo, who has suffered from familial major depressive disorder since he Read more

Northern Karate Schools: Taking Karate to a Whole New Level

The ancient practice of the martial arts has transcended time, becoming a respected discipline and a leader in today’s health and fitness market.

A great way to gain strength and agility, martial arts can have a life-altering effect on both young and old, instilling the invaluable virtues of respect, commitment, and perseverance.

“Karate is much more than just kicking and punching; it takes ordinary people and shows them how to do extraordinary things,” says Cos Vona, a director of Northern Karate Schools. Read more