January 25th was Bell Let’s Talk Day, a day to promote mental health awareness, acceptance and action. To commemorate the day, Krembil Research Institute Director and Senior Scientist Dr. Jaideep Bains gave a presentation about the latest science of stress for members of the Krembil community and the public.
Watch a recording of the seminar here.
“Bell Let's Talk day is a perfect opportunity to strengthen our commitment to mental health awareness and support, within the Krembil community and across UHN,” said Dr. Bains.
Dr. Bains is an internationally recognized expert in the neurobiology of stress. For the past two decades, his research team has made important discoveries into how stress changes brain circuitry and behaviour, and how stress can be transmitted to others.
In this seminar, with the goal of raising awareness about stress and mental health, Dr. Bains shared his insights into:
● the physiological effects of stress on the brain;
● how we can detect stress experienced by others and transmit our own stress; and
● the benefits of control or perceived control of a situation on stress.
“Stress leaves imprints on our brain—particular cellular, molecular and biochemical changes that vary depending on the type of stress,” explained Dr. Bains. “Over time, our brains start to interpret situations differently—something that was not stressful in the past might come to elicit a major stress response—and this can lead to long-term changes in our behaviour.”
Dr. Bains went on to explain that stress-related brain changes can sow the seeds of serious mental health conditions such as anxiety disorders and depression.
More than 700 people registered for the talk, which was offered in-person to UHN staff at the Krembil Discovery Tower BMO Conference Centre and virtually to our external community. Dr. Bains also appeared on CBC Metro Morning to discuss his research.
For more information about Bell Let’s Talk day and for resources available to improve mental health, click here.