[00:00:00] Sean Burke: Welcome to the Care to Listen podcast. Today I’m joined by Genevieve Dalimore. Genevieve is a registered nurse in public health and has over 18 years of experience currently focusing on sexual health education. In this episode, Genevieve talks about raising a neurodivergent child and the impacts of COVID 19 on mental health.

She shares her experiences and offers different coping strategies that she’s picked up along the way. Today’s episode is being broadcasted to you on the unceded and traditional territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil Waututh Nations. Trigger warning, this episode includes discussions that may be sensitive to some listeners, including self harm.

Hello and welcome back to another episode of the Care to Listen podcast. I’m your host, Sean Burke, and joining me today is Genevieve Dalmore. Welcome to the show, Genevieve. Thank you. We’re really grateful to have you, um, to share not only just about your lived experiences, but also, you know, your, your experience being a nurse, um, in public health over 18 years experience, now primarily focusing on sexual health education for youth.

Uh, so So much here that I think a lot of our listeners will be able to relate to. So welcome to the show. Thank you. Maybe could you start off just by giving us a little bit of introductions to who you are? 

[00:01:19] Genevieve Dalimore: Yeah. So, um, my name is Genevieve. I am a registered nurse. I’ve been working in public health for over 18 years.

Um, and I’ve been very fortunate to stay in the same role that I am in currently. Um, and I work with the most amazing. folks. Um, and yeah, it’s, uh, it’s, it’s a great role. Uh, work very closely with schools and with children and youth, um, especially in, uh, like our sexual health clinics. Um, and I work with a fantastic team there as well, um, primary care team.

And, um, it’s, it’s just a really, Awesome. Um, uh, care provision for, for youth and I find it so important, especially after the pandemic and, um, you know, that thing that happened. Yes. Um, but, but yeah, I’m really passionate about public health and, and of course there’s variations of what that is. Um, you know, in, in health promotion and, and everything, but, um, it is something that I’m, um, very, I very much enjoy, and, um, I hope to bring that passion into all my interactions with, with the youth that I work with, um, you know, especially being in a non judgmental and, and just being a safe space for, um, Uh, folks to be able to access whatever care that they need.

Um, and so, yeah, I, I really enjoy it. 

[00:02:49] Sean Burke: Absolutely. And you know, knowing, you know, you being a parent of two kids going through building your career and you having this deep passion for youth and providing that education when it comes to sexual health, why is that such a passion for you? 

[00:03:07] Genevieve Dalimore: Um, that’s a really good question.

I think because there’s so much misinformation, especially, especially now compared to say when you and I were in school, social media has changed things quite drastically. And, um, you know, you’ll, you’ll speak to social media experts and things like that in terms of what kids are accessing and how they’re accessing it earlier.

Um, and some of that is not going to be, um, um, you know, accurate information. And of course, also, then you have the whole, um, you know, the pornography stuff and, and, and everything that kids access. And, and we see that filter into, um, the, the, the interactions that we have and, and the information that, that, that youth are then, um, trying to sort [00:04:00] through.

And so really it’s our job to be those experts, um, In, in everything related to sexual health and youth sexual health, um, so, so that youth are as informed as, as possible with the right information. Um, and, and so I think social media has played a big piece to that and, and that’s why I, I am really passionate because, um, You know, our, our bodies are amazing things.

And, um, in order to make informed decisions, you, you knowledge is power. Um, and so I always sort of bring that lens to, to my interactions and the care that I provide. 

[00:04:39] Sean Burke: It’s so needed. And, you know, being a father of two, uh, little girls right now, it’s also too quite fearful as a parent knowing that social media technology and not really having a lot of.

Knowledge on how to best. support my kids through what they’re about to experience. And, and so getting that knowledge and education is so important, so critical, and just really grateful that, that people like yourself are out there doing that. When it comes to your journey and getting into this role, I’d love to hear a little bit more about your background and what led you to stepping into this role.

Um, and then ultimately hearing how that transition then going into COVID really shaped and builds on your. journey as well. 

[00:05:26] Genevieve Dalimore: Yeah, absolutely. Um, and we might have to break it down in little chunks, um, just for my own ADHD, but, um, um, so yes, I always knew when I was in nursing school that public health was was where I was hoping to end up.

And I was super fortunate that my last, um, sort of term or semester of, of my undergrad, um, was with this current team that I’m on. And it just so happened that they had positions when I was graduating. And so I was very, very fortunate that I was able to start my nursing journey kind of right off the bat into public health.

I had some, you know, some Um, foray into, to, to acute care, but, um, I just, yeah, just public health and prevention was, was for me, um, um, my end goal and, um, and so I, I started, um, you know, there and we were doing our sexual health clinics, but a lot of it, and I mean, it still is too, is, is, you know, a lot of immunizing and, and, um, and we’re, you know, health contacts for the schools and things, um, and.

When I had my first daughter, I kind of, I was just like, Wow, I feel like I can do anything. You have a baby and you kind of, it changes your mindset a little bit. And um, I, I reacted in, um, more strongly that I had anticipated in, in this also this loss of sense of self and self identity. And, um, you know, I, I find that.

Um, there’s a real shift placed on, on women when they’ve had a baby, um, that they’re no longer like, I’m, I was no longer Genevieve. I was a mother and, and I, I, and I really felt that, that loss of self. And so when I went back to work, um, I was like, I need something just for me. And so I, I did work and I went back to school and I got my master’s degree thinking I was going to teach.

And, um, And when I finished that, um, I, I. I, I just didn’t sort of go down that stream, but what I learned during my, my graduate degree then was, um, very sort of pertinent to my, my frontline role. And so it just strengthened, um, my, my perception and viewpoints and, and really the philosophies of public health and prevention.

And so I was able [00:08:00] to sort of utilize that a little bit better and, and more strongly within my frontline role. And, um, And so that was, that was, I was really glad I did that. And also interestingly, looking back now, um, very probably likely was suffering from postpartum anxiety. And I did, I didn’t know it.

And I, and I work in nursing, right? And so So, so there was that little piece too, in the, in the back, um, um, sort of now, like, intertwined into, um, my, and my daughter’s 13 now, and so, you know, I, I probably should have been on medication a long time ago, but it wasn’t until after COVID, and we can get into that, that it really sort of came to the, the forefront, um, but public health, like I said, it’s, it’s just, um, Yeah, it’s just, it’s, it’s hard because in acute care, you, you, you have immediate measurable.

Um, outcomes, right? Um, whereas with prevention, you know, the outcomes or the, the metrics aren’t going to be noticed for 10, 15, 20, 30 years down the road. And, and so I think sometimes there’s this, um, disconnect in terms of the importance of public health and prevention. And, and I really do feel like that came to, um, to light during COVID.

Um, And so, yeah, so, so, um, I don’t know if that answers your question or if I’m going off on a tangent, but, You 

[00:09:34] Sean Burke: don’t need those reminders, you just keep going. 

[00:09:37] Genevieve Dalimore: Um, but yeah, so, so then, um, COVID happened and, uh, You know, the true tenets of public health really came out right in the contact tracing piece and, um, initially when, when COVID started, we, we just sort of didn’t know, um, nobody knew where.

This was actually going or heading, and so we were, we were sort of straddling our normal day to day work within the constraints of, you know, new public health orders and things like that. Plus this whole, how, how are we in public health then going to also then respond? And so initially we were kind of doing both.

Um, And then it very clearly became evident that our normal work had to stop and we had to completely pivot to, um, just contact tracing. And for me personally, the, um, the pandemic started with a very traumatic, um, situation and it kind of set the tone, at least again looking back and going through all the counseling I’ve gone through, um, it set the tone for how I responded then going forward into COVID.

Um, You know, that sort of self sacrificing, if I don’t do it, nobody else will. And, and I think too, nurses tend to have a little bit of that anyways. Uh, but, but there was this, you know, your, your frontline, your health care, you, you have to respond. And so it was this sort of multifaceted, um, um, thing for me.

And, and where I just went, you know, Full bore into my role within contact tracing, um, and then looking again, looking back, you don’t know when you’re in it, how burnt out you are. And I was work, I was working with, again, a fantastic team, um, but I was working 11, 12 hour days, sometimes five, six days a week without breaks and, and for, for almost a year.

Um, once we were sort of full into. That, that sort of contact tracing piece. And you don’t know your burnout until after. And I, and it was hugely [00:12:00] impactful on my, my family life, my personal relationship. Um, and I ended up having to go off of, of work, um, for three months and I, I didn’t think I’d go back to nursing because I felt so broken.

And yeah, and I just didn’t see how I could go back to that profession. And so in some respects too, while I was, you know, initially recovering, um, There was also that loss of identity as well, because I can’t speak for all nurses, but a lot of us, myself, um, there’s a real sort of piece of identity in, in the nursing, in, in, in the role that we, we do.

And so it, there was, there was a little bit of that for me as well, as I was going through this, this time off thinking, okay, if I don’t go back to nursing, what do I do? Who am I? Yeah. Yeah. Um, Yeah, I don’t know if that, again, does that, you 

[00:12:57] Sean Burke: know, first of all, I just want to start by saying thank you. Yeah.

Thank you for sharing your story. It takes courage and, you know, to be vulnerable, to talk openly about some of the challenges and struggles that you had. Um, and thank you for, for doing the work that you did to help keep, you know, all Canadians safe. Um, when it talks, when we jump back into a little bit about your story and the impact that, Uh, thrusting yourself into work and, you know, having that, uh, mentality where if it’s not you, then who, and how that didn’t, didn’t serve you.

Um, and you know, maybe from the time being, it helped you get through the volume of work that was required, um, or needed or asked, but the reality is, is that it took a lot out of you. Yeah. And I’d love to just learn a little bit more, um, because I’m sure many of our listeners have, have been there. Um, you know, what.

What did it take from you? I know it impacted your, um, you know, your relationship impacted, you know, your, um, with your kids, it impacted, you know, yourself personally. So maybe if you could just jump in and talk a little bit more about that. 

[00:14:11] Genevieve Dalimore: Um, so, so yeah. So again, it’s going to, I might sort of do jumping over, but, um, I just.

The impact was, was quite profound. Um, because it took me being off to realize, um, again, to realize my burnout. And so, um, I didn’t, I didn’t. I didn’t realize how exhausted and broken my body was, how my brain, right? Um, I could not, it got to the point where I was not really functioning. Um, and, and so to then have my kids see that as well, that, that was, and it still is, I’m going to be a bit emotional.

Sorry, I wasn’t like this last time. Um, I, I just think as parents it’s not, our kids can’t see that. They shouldn’t see that, right? Um, they can see you struggle as a parent, but to, to, for, for them to see me not getting out of bed was hard. So I do say, I say medication saved my life. Um, Because I think without it, my brain wouldn’t be quiet.

And it took, like, within a couple of weeks, a couple of, about a month of being on medication, um, I was able to rest and think clearly. And I realized then that the past two months of being off of work, like, how, how, profound and substantial the burnout was. Um, [00:16:00] and, and so that, I think that was, was really was, was quite an eye opener for me.

And when I talk about medication to people, um, I, I, I say that and I’m, I’m usually pretty open about, um, my, my struggles because I think as, as healthcare providers and first responders, we don’t talk about it enough. And so you kind of think you’re in it alone. Um, and nurses, too, are really bad at asking for help.

Um, and, and so, so that’s why I tend to be You know, fairly open and, and, um, and, and willing to talk about, um, my, my struggles, uh, counselling was, was also hugely important and, and initially, um, I was actually seeing separate counsellors for different types of therapies multiple times a week. So EMDR and that kind of thing again, hugely recommend.

Um, because. Without it, I don’t know where I would be today. I don’t know where my family would be today. Um, and, um, that is kind of, like, scary to me. To, to think, um, You know, if I, if, if I hadn’t sort of access those services and, and, and ultimately the help, where would we be right now? Um, it’s also, um, allowed me to be, I’d like to think I was empathetic before.

I, I think most healthcare providers are, um, but I, I, I do feel like I have a, um, greater appreciation for. What people who are struggling with mental health, um, actually experience and go through on the, on the day to day. Um, and so I like to think it’s kind of, you know, opened up my eyes a little bit and, and I can, I can tell people obviously within reason, um, that I’ve walked, I’ve walked the talk.

Um, And so and so then again, relating to to your clients, um, there, you know, there can help build the trust that you have with your clientele to, um, because I also see adults as well. And, um, yeah, with with my kids, um, it’s allowed me to recognize, um, you know, their own struggles. So, um, My, my daughter has anxiety, um, and quite profoundly.

And so she, she struggled quite a bit, um, starting about last year. And so it’s, uh, it’s allowed me to recognize, um, How, again, how impactful things like anxiety really are on the day to day, um, and then with my son, uh, it, it, it, so, so he’s, he’s neuro, very complexly neurodivergent, and we originally had his, his diagnosis a couple of years ago, which allowed us to, um, access, um, medications or start him on medications, um, to, to, to help address some of his more pressing, um, behaviors.

And what then happened in the subsequent couple of years is, is I was reading his behavior and, and, you know, seeing how he was presenting, it’s like, okay, it’s, it’s very sort of closely looking like he fits the autism, um, spectrum. And so how do we navigate that? And, um, Again, I have a personal opinion. The system needs to change.

Because the public system for these kinds of assessments are years. And again, this comes back to the importance of public health and prevention. Because [00:20:00] we know that Early intervention is best and so for a family like mine with a son, an eight year old who, who is presenting like this, we can’t access supports without, without that diagnosis, but we can’t wait three years.

And I think a lot of families would probably say the same thing, right? And so then we’re in a position where, well, if you pay privately, you can be seen within a couple of months. And so it’s, it’s, it’s hard as somebody who, who works in the system, then knowing how imperative early intervention is best, having this, this, this struggle, right?

And so, so again, we, we made it work. We were fortunate. We were able to get a private assessment. Thank goodness. Um, psychiatrist was absolutely amazing. And was able to validate what I have been saying about my son for years. And so it, it was very, um, like, I, I didn’t actually get teary about it. The, you know, yes, he has autism.

That was a relief to me because it meant that we could then access help, which is, and before we really like we couldn’t, you can, you can, you can pay privately for things like counseling, but the, you know, that the OT or the behavioral therapy or things like that, there, there are, I, we can now access those kinds of supports and, and so it, uh, you know, just knowing my own.

struggles and it allowed me then to see what my kids were going through. And, and then of course, my knowledge as a public health nurse and knowing the system, I was able to then utilize that to, to, you know, try to access services. So I tend to be fairly outspoken about that as well, with a lot of families.

Um, and it’s interesting too, because I can, It’s a very lonely parenting experience as well because there’s so much judgment placed on parents, um, at the best of times, right? And then you, you have the nuances of a You know, a special child and they don’t behave according to societal rules or expectations.

And so you really kind of have to have your community around you, people that know you and support you no matter what, because ultimately, you know, they might, somebody might not agree with how you’re choosing to, um, act or support or react to how your child, your child’s behavior at any given time. And so, so it can be hard because it can be quite lonely.

Um, I just want to jump in here. Yeah, sorry. I feel like I’m going off. No, this is, this 

[00:23:00] Sean Burke: is great. Yeah. You’re, you’re telling your story. Yeah. And really that’s what this platform is. Yeah. Is it’s an opportunity for Uh, people to share their stories, to share their lived experience, and for our listeners to, to see and hear that they’re not alone, that many people are going through, you know, similar, uh, stories, challenges, experiences.

And, you know, again, I just wanted to acknowledge that you being brave and sharing your story, um, having the courage to, you know, even show the raw emotion today is that this is real life. And this happens to. A lot of people. And so again, you being able to have this platform to share this story is really what this is all about.

So absolutely keep talking and I can be quiet 

[00:23:49] Genevieve Dalimore: when 

[00:23:51] Sean Burke: it comes to, you know, you’re you going through all of those different complexities and challenges and, you know, even just [00:24:00] first focusing on, um, You know, you getting the support and having the thought of wanting to potentially leave the profession, what did it take for you to, to do the work?

And why did you choose to do that work? 

[00:24:18] Genevieve Dalimore: Oh, that’s a really good question. I, well, cause quite frankly, I really didn’t have a choice. Um, because. If I, if I didn’t, then, yeah, if I didn’t, I don’t know where I would be today, um, because, because I was not functioning, and, um, therefore I was not a present parent.

Um, I mean, I was off of work at that point in time, so I didn’t have to sort of worry about like the professional sphere, um, until I was better and ready to go back. Um, but without intensive counselling and therapy and, and medication, um, I actually don’t know where I would be right now. And so I, I didn’t have a choice because, um, and you know, maybe, maybe things would have been different if I didn’t have a family or if I didn’t have kids.

I mean, I don’t know. That’s a hard question. Um, but I had to, I had to get better. I mean, I’m still in therapy. My counselor now is fantastic. Um, not that they weren’t before, but she’s actually, she’s, she’s really good. Um, because I didn’t have a choice. I, I, there are little humans relying on me to be a functioning parent.

And so, so I think, I think that was a, a, a big part of it. Um, Yeah, and it’s and then as I was starting to to get better and I might, you know, I was be better able to sort of rationalize and once once I was through the sort of more acute phase of of the burnout, it’s it you can sort of reevaluate. And so you can say, well, yes, I really do love the profession.

I really do love the people I work with. Um, and so, so if I’m not doing that, you know, what else would I do? And the answer sort of really did boil down to, well, I would probably still go back. Um, and so, so then it was making sure that I was. It’s healthy enough, um, to, to be able to go back and, and nurse the way I’m supposed to.

Um, but, but yeah, so I think to answer your question, it was, I didn’t, I didn’t have a choice. Um, 

[00:26:50] Sean Burke: and you know, just thinking and hearing you again, talk about like your thought process through, through this time. I want, I’d love to go back to, if you could take us to what the, during those moments when you were trying to cope with everything that was going on.

Like, what did you turn to? What was your outlet? How were you processing some of that? And even if they weren’t healthy, like, what, what did that look like for you? 

[00:27:16] Genevieve Dalimore: Um, I, I, I do have to be careful sometimes because I tend to, um, Well, I’m better now, but back then I was, I tended to over exercise a little bit, um, and then under eat.

Um, and so, again, it wasn’t a healthy coping mechanism. Um, and I did lose quite a bit of weight, especially with, you know, the The initial few months after I stopped or I went off. Um, and so, so I, and even now I’m, I’m really sort of cognizant of it in terms of, um, my day to day, I, you know, high intensity exercise and things like that.

If I, if I can, I can. [00:28:00] Get into a bit of a maladaptive, um, uh, process where I rely too heavily on that. Um, so it’s it’s a bit of a a balance. So I I did do that. Um, you know, I do have a a addiction on my side of the family, and so I was always Um, overtly conscious of that. And so even though I tended to drink wine, um, I was again, kind of my OCD tendencies as well came forward where it was, okay, well, I have to weigh and measure, um, my glass of wine.

So I’m to make sure that I’m not sort of on this, you know, uh, negative trajectory, right? The maladaptive coping kind of, kind of stuff. Um, and, and so it was this, this. balance initially, um, but, but the exhaustion was very apparent, you know, in terms of as we went on and, and then it got to the point where I actually couldn’t get out of bed.

Um, and, and so that was my big, um, trigger. And I couldn’t get out of, um, that. Well, I say funk, but I couldn’t get out of that and, and then it became apparent that the only way I was going to be able to get out of that was medication. Um, and so, you know, I, I started on that journey and I’m still on medication.

We’ve had some adjustments. I’ve had some adjustments, um, but it really, um, Again, was something that, um, helped, and so I, I’m an advocate of that. And that’s why with my son, when, when we had his initial diagnosis, um, and medication was recommended, I was very, um, Pro putting him on medication and a lot, a lot of parents maybe not don’t go down that route.

Um, but it has been hugely beneficial for him. Um, and I see that in the general day to day too and how he’s able to function. Um, and so it’s, it’s been, again, it’s been, it’s been an eye opener. Um, Um, sort of walking through that journey, changing my perspective of, of things. Um, and, and yeah, so yeah, the, the lived experience piece is, is quite, um, interesting when you kind of break it down in, in compared to say, you know, five years ago, I never would have said I would have gone through something like this.

Right? It doesn’t happen 

[00:30:43] Sean Burke: to you, right? Right. 

[00:30:44] Genevieve Dalimore: Until it does. Um, and so that was, yeah, that piece has been very sort of eye opening for me as well. 

[00:30:55] Sean Burke: Well, and even just listening to the way that you describe, you know, being on medication, working with a therapist. Yeah. Right. This is common things that you’re able to talk about without fear of stigma or shame or anything else because it’s helped you to thrive.

Um, and you know, I’d love to learn a little bit more too for our listeners who might be struggling out there. You were able to get some supports. Yeah. Some of those supports likely came through your employer. Some of those may have been private and what you wish to purchase as well. Um, so I’m curious from your perspective, how was the ability to get support, um, for you through your employer?

[00:31:39] Genevieve Dalimore: Um, I didn’t actually go through my employer. Um, and I think too, um, I think for me it was because I was feeling like, and it wasn’t say my employer per se, right? This, this goes to the, the [00:32:00] thinking pattern at the time. Right. I’m like, I, well, I have PTSD from COVID my employer caused it. Right. And so why would I access their services?

It is kind of how I, I, I, I viewed it. And, and also there was that, um, what’s confidential, what’s not like there was that, there was that, like, So there’s a little bit in there, too. And so I was always more comfortable doing the private stream. Yes, it’s expensive because it’s not really covered. But again, I felt like I, I I didn’t have a choice.

I had to. That’s what you needed. You, you, you have, you have to, yeah, you have to spend that, that money, right? Um, um, to, to get the professional services that you need. And again, this kind of, for me too, goes back to, um, how as a society do we view things like, um, assessments, mental health, you know, private versus public.

I mean, that’s a whole other conversation, but, um, I, I really think we need to reframe them. Um, the services that, that are provided because I was in a very fortunate and privileged position, um, to have sick benefits, to be able to go off for three months, to have a well paid job, to have money in my savings account.

Not a lot of families. Um, or people would be in that position necessarily, right? And so you have, you, you have to look at then too, the privilege piece and, and, um, and who’s able to access the services. Um, but again, that’s a whole other, I could go on a tangent about that. Um, but, but yeah, it was, it was, I always just felt more comfortable being Um, doing the external versus the internal, um, employer benefits.

Um, and also too, I think it allowed me to access certain modalities or therapies that wouldn’t necessarily have been, um, provided. via employer, um, um, services. So again, I referenced EMDR, right? You know, only certain therapists are trained in EMDR. And so that necessarily wasn’t necessarily going to be, um, access accessible otherwise.

Um, and so it was a, it was a dual sort of thought in my head. 

[00:34:25] Sean Burke: Well, and it’s so interesting because you, you prioritized your health, your wellness, and did whatever it took for you. to get through this part of your life. Um, and I’m sure you’re still continuing to go through lots of it. Um, you’ve shared so much and, you know, I’m so grateful for the generosity.

And I know the listeners are as well, as you look toward the future. Um, and as we sort of start wrapping up the show today, what’s next for you? What, what areas are you still working on? Are you still, you know, getting that support as you continue to grow and move on. 

[00:35:06] Genevieve Dalimore: Yes. Uh, yes. I, I still see a therapist.

Um, I go, um, um, it used to be once every two weeks, we’ve bumped it up to once every three weeks, every four weeks, depending on how I’m, um, feeling. Um, And so yeah, every three weeks I see a therapist, she’s fantastic, um, and my medication. So I, I do both, and I’m still doing both, and I will still do both for probably the foreseeable future.

Um, Um, just to, just to, yeah, really sort of deep dive, because also too, what I have found going through this is, um, things like traumatic childhoods, um, you know, complex trauma, that all then comes to the surface as well when you’re really trying to do a deep dive with mental health, your own mental health.

And so, so what ends up happening is [00:36:00] you start then really. Um, working through like everything, like the whole band aid is ripped off. Um, and, and so I, I do foresee for the foreseeable, you know, at least, I mean, I, I can’t put a number on it. Um, at this point in time, I just anticipate being on it longterm.

Um, and, and, and frankly, again, going back to my comment about postpartum anxiety, you don’t know what you don’t know when you’re going through it. I had it and I probably should have been on meds years ago. Um, you know, living with high functioning anxiety, again, you tend to be maladaptive in some of your coping.

Um, and yeah, it’s, it’s been, it’s been a really interesting journey, um, sort of going through it. But does that answer your 

[00:36:49] Sean Burke: question? Yeah. A journey, a journey nonetheless. Yeah. Um, one final question here for somebody who is in healthcare, struggling, don’t know where to turn to for help. aren’t necessarily willing to accept where they’re at, what are you saying to them?

[00:37:11] Genevieve Dalimore: I think it depends on the kind of conversations that they’re having, right? So if they’re having conversations where there’s an opportunity for So, me, for example, listening to somebody tell, tell their story and knowing the knowledge that I have just my own journey and, and, um, you know, being aware of service provision, um, you know, and union work and things like that, um, it’s going to, that would be the opportunity to be able to sort of say, well, you know, there are supports out there and, and then kind of.

feed off of, of whether or not they’re being receptive, um, to that. Because I don’t, I don’t really want somebody to hit their rock bottom either. Um, I don’t want it to have to get that bad for somebody to kind of say, okay, now I’m ready for help. Um, because You know, it could take a bit longer then to, to go through sort of that, that kind of recovery.

Um, so I think it depends on how, on the kind of conversations that person’s maybe having. Um, yeah, because, because otherwise, how do you do sort of do that segue, right? Unless you have the kind of relationship where you can say, you know, I’ve, I’ve observed F2I. X, Y, and Z. I’m coming from a place of, you know, curiosity or friendship or just here to support, not necessarily like a colleague or a peer, um, although there, you know, you could bring that into it if you needed to.

Um, but it’s just, I think it’s just how you broach the conversation, um, depending on where they’re at within their. Their struggle, I guess. Um, but I think, I also think that’s why I tend to be so vocal about, about, Oh, well, I forgot my meds today. Sorry guys. I’m a bit, right. So, so, and then, you know, you kind of, again, that becomes an opportunity to, to have that conversation.

So 

[00:39:03] Sean Burke: awesome. Yeah. Well, Genevieve, thank you so much for sharing your story for, you know, sharing your wisdom and also to being, uh, True to who you are, um, and knowing, I try, yeah, knowing that your story is going to make a difference for somebody else out there. Yeah. Um, I think it’s strength. So thank you for, you’re welcome.

[00:39:23] Genevieve Dalimore: I would, I would say, you know, as, as healthcare providers, and I would even say to front to first responders, ask for help. I know we don’t like to, but just, just ask. Because. It’s okay. It’s okay to ask for help. And I think that’s a, that’s a big thing I’ve had to learn. Um, it shows, like you said, it shows strength.

Um, don’t let it get so bad that you can’t. 

[00:39:55] Sean Burke: Thanks for listening to this episode. Be sure to visit the links in the show notes for resources and [00:40:00] supports from the Care for Caregivers program. If you’re interested in sharing your story on the Care to Listen podcast, please reach out to us at careforcaregivers.

ca forward slash podcast. And don’t forget to follow us on your favorite podcast platform to be notified when new episodes are released. Thanks again for joining us and see you next month.