Welcome to The Good Spiral 🎙️⭐❤️— the podcast where besties Scottie and Tanvi untangle the messy wires of their minds the way you’d wrestle with a pair of earphones at the bottom of your bag. Together, they chat through life’s challenges, big and small, reminding you that sometimes all you need is a good conversation to feel a little lighter.
In this episode, they dive into how the environments young people grow up in — from endless social media scrolling to access (or lack of access) to green space — shape youth mental health in Canada. They ask:
What happens when some teens spend most of their free time online while others have parks and playgrounds at their fingertips?
How do inequities like racism, class divides, and stigma shape who gets access to safe spaces, care, and community?
Why is resilience important — and how do we move beyond “just go outside more” advice?
Along the way, Scottie reflects on lessons from camp and therapy training, while Tanvi shares her experiences navigating work stress, relationship shifts, and self-advocacy. Together, they show why youth mental health isn’t just an individual issue — it’s deeply tied to the systems and environments around us.
Referenced Resources
Richard Louv (2005) – Last Child in the Woods ➝ Introduced “Nature Deficit Disorder,” sparking global conversations about the link between kids’ disconnection from nature and mental health challenges.
Dankiw et al. (2020) – Review on nature play and childhood development ➝ Found that unstructured outdoor play helps kids regulate emotions, build resilience, and improve cognitive flexibility.
Bates et al. (2018) – Green schoolyards in low-income neighbourhoods ➝ Showed how access to natural spaces at school strengthens community connection and youth well-being in underserved areas.
Khalaf et al. (2023) – Social media and youth mental health ➝ Linked heavy social media use with higher rates of depression and anxiety, especially among girls and marginalized youth.
Wang et al. (2023) – Nature as a buffer to screen time ➝ Found that time in nature protects against the negative effects of excessive mobile phone use on youth well-being.
Fante-Coleman & Jackson-Best (2020) – Black youth and mental health access in Canada ➝ Highlighted systemic barriers like racism, stigma, and lack of culturally competent care that limit access to support.
Helton & Smith (2013) – Strengths-based mental health practice ➝ Advocated for moving away from deficit-based models and toward approaches that value youth resilience and lived experience.
Palomino et al. (2016) – Nature Deficit Disorder online ➝ Showed how online conversations often oversimplify research, putting the burden on individuals instead of addressing systemic issues.
💌 Let’s spiral together: If this episode resonates, share it with a friend who could use a reminder that they’re not alone. Follow The Good Spiral for more open, real, and sometimes messy chats about mental health, culture, and connection.
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