“Just checking in” with Kiki Ferrari

Making mental health a priority is something Kiki Ferrari, Osler’s Executive Vice President and Chief Clinical Officer, is passionate about.

Osler’s extensive mental health and addiction programs, including the newly launched Adolescent Intensive Day Program, made possible with funds from the Tour de Bleu event, are a tremendous pride point for Kiki, as Osler hospitals continue to grow and evolve to support the mental health needs of our diverse communities.

Knowing the winter months can be difficult for many, Kiki frequently encourages teams to check in on their colleagues, family members and friends at this time year. We decided to ‘check in’ with Kiki herself to show how a simple conversation can go a long way to helping someone feel heard and cared for.

How are you feeling today, physically and mentally?

After a busy holiday season at our hospitals, combined with shorter days, lack of sunshine and cold weather, I believe we all need to make extra effort to stay mentally resilient and positive. I find myself needing more sleep so am trying to get to bed earlier, but I also don’t want to miss out on all the fun my family is having when I go to sleep early, which is when my university kids seem to be up!

With all the celebrations over the holidays, and all the chocolate and sugar around, I indulged a bit too much. Chocolate is my weakness. I find I have more brain fog and less energy when I consume sugar, so I am trying to choose better food options.

What’s taking up most of your headspace right now?

Resilience. We are masters at this at Osler – we are Osler Strong. But strong people know that to stay resilient we need to look after ourselves and each other. It’s okay to not be okay. What’s not okay is to sit silent.

I encourage anyone who is struggling to reach out to your doctor or access resources for help.

We know how important exercise can be to improve your mental and physical health. What have you been doing for exercise?

I like to clean and do housework (yes, I know that sounds odd) and I find it a great release from the stress of work and life. I am now using everyday activities like these to try to get some exercise and not force myself into it! I recently heard about this concept from a documentary I watched on ‘blue zones’ across the globe where communities are healthier because exercise is more about the inclusion of activity in their daily life. I am following that principle now.

What did you do today that made you feel good?

I cleaned out my fridge! Nothing makes me feel better than doing something for my family and being organized. It’s such a simple thing, but it gives me joy. Also, I love Wordle. Finally, my intro word ‘alien’ paid off, and I got it on the second try. All you ‘Wordlers’ out there will know what I mean! Simple things give me joy.

What are you grateful for right now?

I am grateful for so many things in my life. My family, friends, my health, my colleagues, and my work, to name a few. I am working on being more grateful for the challenging things that happen to me, because these are the things that have made me grow the most. One of my friends recently introduced the practice to me, and it makes sense. Easier said than done!