When attending this conference there was a tragic shooting in Maine. There was 16 seconds of silence for 16 killed.
The speaker was from the Faculty of Michigan University. The school is still traumatized. The shooter had no connection to the university. It was a random act of violence. Today he also had an email from a student at the time. He is still having PTSD.
How to stop a Mass Shooting Epidemic, A book cronicles - The Violence Project. How to stop a Mass Shooting Epidemic by Jillian Peterson, PH.D. and James Densley, PhD
theviolenceproject.org
Jillian used to work on death row. They wrote to prisoners and some wrote back, wanting to know their life before the shootings. Also interviewed were people who knew the shooters, first responders etc... Mass shootings today are more violent and frequent than any other time in history, nearly six times every year.
Who are the Mass shooters? Average age is mid thirties. Clusters in age in 20's and 40's are transitional points in life. Crisis point is pivital. Certain locations tend to age.
Race and Ethnicity
White men are majority. White men are under representative, black over representative. Work shooters - usually people of colour. Latin communities - very close to families, which is why not as many shooters.
1. Shooters are insiders - 30% work shooters.
Insiders - make it easier to prevent. We can identify the warning signs.
2. Shooters are in crisis - Total 80% (oopsie)
Families of Shooters:
1. abusive, neglectful - a lot of childhood trauma. Often parents have their own MI issues.
2. Parents knew something was wrong but didn't know how to help or connect son to resources. Shame-afterwards.
3. Parents know something is wrong and son is in crisis and then actually buy a gun as a gift. Thus a court case of having responsibility.
Shooters are actively suicidal. 31% prior to attack, 40% during attack; 59% died at scene.
To reporter, "I hate MOndays." To commissioner - wanted to be shot dead by police - tried suicide attempt but failed.
One sister reported that her brother went from what's wrong with me to blaming others.
School - pick someone from school.
blame religion.
*****Key Point of intervention - 50% leaked their plans ahead of time. 25% studied others, left legacy token. Usually a criminal charge and usually a felony. Usually charged, even children.
I am going to continue this next week. I want to finish this before moving to another topic. I am also going to take some R+R by spending time in the sun which just came back slowly and reading a Stephen King book. I shall talk more next week. In the meantime, balance your life with work and fun etc....Try a new hobby, spend time in nature, sing and dance and try something new. Good talk.
Berit Covenant -Dominant -Relationship between God and Humanity.
Gifts/Tasks - The weight of the Sinai Desert (I was there for six months which is detailed in my book: For Love of Country - Military Policewoman) is the task. Sometimes you need to rest. Even God did it (on the 7th day). There is always an interplay of gift and task.
Descendants and Land - two big issues. This is a way people are blessed.
Already in Genealogy - Sarah is barren.
How is the one reject, treated by God? A whole theme here. Why is one chosen? You are not chosen for yourself. You are chosen for others. This theme is worth noticing. There are not too many women who speak to God. Sarah does.
Abraham promised third blessing. Abrahamics promise is not only
for Israel but for all humanity. These promises, are they not basic for survival? There is a fear that if a tribe is not strong enough, it can be taken over. A deep longing and value. Wells are important. That is where men find wives and Jesus speaks. What is land if it is not a source for others (and other things as well). Abraham is the descendants of three fathers - Kslam, Jews and Christians.
Sarah is barren. Land is barren. All they have is the promise. God comes to Abraham in a dream - “Do not be afraid. Your rewards will be very great.” Abraham objects. Noah was given a task to build an ark.
“Your ancestors shall be aliens in a land for 400 years. As for yourself - this is the deep sleep or darkness…” On that day, the Lord made a covenant, a berit. Jeremiah 34. Notice ritual. Covenant usually had a ritual of what would if not.
Assignment: God appears to Hagar two times to return to Sarah, “and be obedient to her.
I just attended a meeting for retired Federal Employees. They are looking for volunteers, new members and those interested in advocating. I have now officially stepped down from all volunteer positions. I shall be enjoying life, writing and of course having fun as a priority. I have a full packed schedule regardless. My next book signing and selling my own books will be held from 11:00 to 1700 hrs (5pm). Saturday and Sunday 6 and 7 of Jun 26, with the Crime Writers of Canada. This will be hosted by Motive at Victoria University (on Uof T campus), 73 Crescent Park, Toronto.
Remember I always make myself available to sign/sell at bookstores and anywhere else.
If you are free come and visit me at table 9. I will be sharing with fellow writers. You are sure to meet many interesting people.
I had to remove your comments because first you did not identify yourself and second I would be liable if your accusations against this Psychiatrist is false. I looked the person up with the Physicians and Surgeons and there is no complaint and the person is active. You may contact the Physicans and Surgeons and file a complaint. You may also report to the Police. I believe that the Person is in Ontario. I welcome comments but there are also laws against false accusations and there is a judicial process in place. A person is considered innocent until proven guilty. If you have a complaint please direct them to the proper authorities.
I was looking at some notes regarding a Sister’s in Crime webinar and realized I can barely read my writing. Of course, it would be better if I typed, but memory is more reliable when we write. Did you know that? It has better retention. I have returned to my writing but realize, I think, more than I write. I’ll tell you more about how I do things another time. Now back to the webinar. The Host was sharing an experience. Her rule of thumb is wait for 24 hours after an agent sends her a request. She gave an example of yelling at the screen after receiving comments. Later, after reading it again, she realized she wasn’t being criticized but being asked for clarification. I understand that. When we receive feed back, we react by emotions. After we wait, as the Host suggested, we have diffused the emotion and may react more analytically. Of course, I got a review so bad for Ominous my favourite that I am saving it. I shall post it in the future and analyze it. The reviewer (sole) never signed her name. I consider that being a coward. There was nothing concrete which I could have used. Not only did she bash me but also my Editor who has been teaching writers for 30 years. Yet, after that review, I stopped writing for some time, and listen to me out there. Don’t let reviews get you down. Take what is positive and recognize the rhetoric. So, I too as the Host, would recommend that you wait for 24 hours before responding. I have been asked to review books and have declined. I know and recognize the heart and soul that goes into a book when written with passion. I don’t want to say anything at all that would hurt a writer who has taken the time - to write. I have had writers ask me for an opinion and usually it is about changes recommended by others. One writer told me he had beta readers all tell him to remove one specific area which meant a lot to him. I reminded him that it was his story. If it meant so much to him why listen to a small group? We can never please all the people and that is something to be remembered. It can be difficult in what to decide and whom to listen to. Find your network who you can trust to be honest and kind. The Host continued that “Patience is a virtue and a reality.” I’m not all that good with patience. As many of you know by now when I go to confession - no patience is my staple sin.
The Host continued with Roads to Publishing: “Who am I as a writer?” This particular host had 72 rejections from Agents. She is now doing quite well. She said she received rejections hundreds of time. She said you require patience, determination and focus. It is important to continue to write.
What am I doing now? Well, today is a nice warm day at about 20. I want to take advantage of every beautiful day because quite frankly it has been cold with overcast and I forgot what the sun looked like. I still have my heat on, but the windows are open. I am packing my bulky winter clothing away for the season. I don’t think I shall be moving to Niagara this summer since the market is still at its lowest. That’s ok. I have squirrels and a bunny rabbit in my backyard as well as birds galore. Unfortunately, there is also a Hawk wanting my fat little creatures. After Victoria Day I want to start beautifying my planters, cut my rose bushes etc…I want to eat out side and enjoy every bit of sunshine. For now, take care and enjoy life as you balance work and fun. What do you think?
Woman performed empty chair and read letter to husband.
Considerations: Comfort and Safety Plan
Foster and be present to client. Office is a safe place. “I’m here for you. I will listen to you. I will stand beside you.”
Cognitive Disorder: Family/Friend support. When to call in. Risk factors and include in safety plan. If believe burden to family, lack of purpose - may feel unable to move forward. Feels worthless. Are you thinking of suicide? Cannot determine. Keep close eye on elderly. They really question, “What is my purpose? What do I do now?” (when lose partners). “When do I call for support? When call 911?
“You don’t have to have answers. You’re not alone. I will work with you.”
Most suicide people do not write a suicide note. When they do write one, please understand that they are at the lowest point. Don’t take in every word. Don’t read into it.
Difference of losing a child vs adults. Death in general is a wound that never truly heals. Don’t get stuck there. Maybe you are watching a movie and pain comes right to the surface and you go into a rabbit hole. “I should have done this (or that?”
Shame - when standing at the grave of a child, it doesn’t have to be overwhelming then but it is always there. A problem for clinicians is that we think we have failed. There is a limit to what we can do. We only have control over ourselves. The speaker continued that he lost five patients to Suicide: Continuing with Imagery helps……… patients who died by suicide. They will be with him for the rest of his life. Concluded
Psalm 22 (is my favourite and I recite it each day Mon to Fri) innocent. After Priestly writers, new writing comes - Wisdom literature. If not, what replaces Covenant? What is new in the new Convenent of Christ? Is something new? Yes. Babylonic . Priestly writers offer hope and rework moments, creation with Noah and Abraham.
What values trying to put forward:
Abrahamic Arch:
Genesis 12: Call/challenge, Promises, First speech of God to Abraham (land, descendants, and blessing of all people). Leave and go to unkown land. I will show you (task). Either accept challenge, wish, tripple promise.
PROMISE - (How do I know?) Promise of land and promise of descendants (a gift). The centre of the Berit Covenant is the promise (gift). Abraham didn’t ask for it, it is purely a gift. Double promise.
I just received an email from the Crime Writers of Canada that I will be able to attend and share a table at the Motive festival, at Victoria College, set at the University of Toronto, from 1100 to 5pm, both Saturday and Sunday, 6 & 7 of June 26. I really miss the University students and their enthusiasm. Of course I have accepted.
I have also been invited and of course I accepted, to a Writers Conference at the Coptic Centre in Mississauga, Saturday 29 Jun 26, to sell my books. This time the event is closed to the public.
I have also signed up again for Word on The Street, scheduled both Saturday and Sunday, 1100 to 6pm on Saturday 26 September 27 and 10:00 to 5pm, Sunday, 27 September 26. The Word on the Street will be at the same place as last year across from TIFF and the theatre. Lots of parking (which I love). This year I will be sharing a table with another Author. I had fun last year sharing a table and it is more cost effective.
I do hope you come and say hi. If you don't have any of my books, the cheapest is Hey Guy Buy Me.
I am selling it for 5.00. It has cartoons.
I have also been nominated to receive a Quilt of Valour, for my Military Police Service. I am extremely excited about that. Of course I accepted. Now it is just about when and where. What an honour this is for me!
When something goes wrong on a plane, investigators turn to the black box. Now, a similar tool is being tested in operating rooms – where researchers review synchronized video, audio and physiological data to gain a better understanding of what happens during surgery.
Patricia Trbovich, an associate professor at the Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health, is using this “OR black box” not just to analyze failures, but to study what goes right. Her research shows that outcomes often hinge on small, overlooked details – how a surgical team communicates, where equipment is placed or how an operating room is laid out.
The system captures video and audio from the operating room, patient vital signs and even the heart rates – and heart-rate variability – of clinicians, recorded through wearable devices. Originally developed by Dr. Teodor Grantcharov to improve surgical training and patient safety, the OR black box now allows researchers like Trbovich to examine how subtle factors – from team dynamics to the space around the operating table – influence how an operation unfolds.
More than two million surgeries are performed in Canada each year. Yet national data doesn’t fully capture the challenges in operating rooms. Researchers have noted that surgical patients account for the highest rates of safety incidents among hospitalized patients, but many priorities identified by health-care experts – including outcomes that matter most to patients – are not well captured in existing data.
That’s where black box research can help. By reviewing 195 surgeries across hospitals in Toronto and Palo Alto, California, Trbovich and her colleagues are identifying patterns that traditional reporting systems overlook. She emphasizes: poor surgical outcomes are not necessarily due to failure by clinicians. They are often rooted in system design.
“Our black box data reveals again and again that it’s not a lack of skill,” she says, “but rather a lack of design leading to most of the errors we see. I notice practitioners’ resilience – their ability to make small adjustments when the unexpected happens – much more than practitioner error.”
Professor Patricia Trbovich worked with hospitals to condense their surgical checklists (1) and improve their visibility in the operating room. All illustrations by Chris PhilpottMicrophones (2) capture operating room audio while cameras (3) record the procedure.
Wearables (4) track clinicians’ heart rates – and stress levels – during surgery.Names on surgical caps (5) promote clearer communication, less hierarchy. Combined data, gathered by the black box (6), reveal how subtle factors affect surgical outcomes.
HUMAN FACTORS
Rather than focusing solely on human mistakes, Trbovich asks broader questions: How was the operating room designed? Was someone interrupted at a critical moment? Was the equipment where it should have been? This approach – known as human factors – examines how people interact with their environment.
Trbovich, the Badeau Family Research Chair in Patient Safety and Quality Improvement at North York General Hospital, has identified distractions, unclear communications and missing or poorly designed equipment as key safety concerns. Different members of the surgical team need to focus at different points in a procedure, she says. When colleagues understand those moments, they can avoid unnecessary disruptions and protect each other’s concentration.
Just as important are the often invisible adjustments teams make to prevent problems from escalating. A lead surgeon may switch roles with a surgical trainee. A nurse may anticipate the need for an extra instrument. The team may call in an expert to advise. These actions rarely appear in incident reports, but they are essential to keep patients safe. “Success often leaves no trace,” Trbovich says. “We’re trying to make those invisible moments visible.”
CHANGING OUTCOMES
As Trbovich’s team studies OR black box data, they are developing ideas for operating room improvements. Some fixes are straightforward. For instance, hospitals often add items to the World Health Organization’s surgical safety checklist. Over time, some checklists become so long and densely printed that they are difficult to read from the operating table. Trbovich worked with hospitals to condense their lists and improve their visibility.
Her team is also studying how to strengthen psychological safety in operating rooms. Rather than focusing only on individual behaviour, they are testing cultural changes such as adding names to surgical caps, offering opportunities for confidential feedback and creating structured pauses during surgery for team input – small adjustments that make speaking up easier and more routine.
Looking ahead, Trbovich is leading a project to develop predictive tools that could flag safety threats as surgeries proceed. The goal is to use AI to analyze black box data and provide timely alerts to clinical teams. The system is being designed with clinicians to ensure it augments – rather than replaces – human judgment. It is also being tested to minimize unnecessary warnings and avoid “alert fatigue,” says Trbovich.
Whether the solution involves redesigning a checklist or developing AI-driven insights, the principle is the same: better systems support better care. Trbovich compares it to Formula 1 racing. “F1 drivers aren’t superhuman,” she says. “They’re fast because every part of the system – the car, the track, the data – is engineered around performance.” Likewise, in the operating room, success depends on more than individual expertise. It depends on an environment designed to help skilled teams do their best work – even when the unexpected happens.
It was 1984. Newly arrived at Harvard Medical School for a research fellowship, Drucker planned to study thyroid disease – an interest he had developed as a University of Toronto medical student and later as a resident at Toronto General Hospital.
Instead, his supervisor, Joel Habener, delivered unexpected news: the lab was phasing out its thyroid program. Drucker would be studying glucagon, a hormone that regulates blood sugar.
“I was very clear I was going to be a thyroid clinician,” recalls Drucker – now a senior investigator at the Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute at Sinai Health and a University Professor of medicine in U of T’s Temerty Faculty of Medicine. “The fact that I ended up working on these peptide hormones that had nothing to do with the thyroid was disappointing.”
Yet the change proved pivotal.
Within years, Drucker would help identify and characterize glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) – a hormone produced in the gut that stimulates insulin release and curbs appetite. This work laid the scientific foundation for blockbuster drugs such as Ozempic, approved for treating type 2 diabetes (and widely used for weight loss), and Wegovy, approved for weight loss.
The medications have rapidly become household names – generating headlines, social media buzz and fodder for talk show hosts.
Less widely discussed is the growing evidence that GLP-1-based therapies may help treat a wide array of other conditions, from kidney disease to neurological disorders.
For Drucker, however, the most meaningful reward is seeing how his fundamental research, driven by curiosity, has resulted in game-changing treatments that are now helping millions of people.
“Nobody set out in the GLP-1 field 25 or 30 years ago to invent a drug that produced weight loss or would reduce heart disease, liver disease or kidney disease,” says Drucker, who holds the Banting and Best Diabetes Centre-Novo Nordisk Chair in Incretin Biology. “This all came about from basic science observations that were unexpected but thankfully translated into clinical findings of use for patients with these challenging disorders.”
Daniel Drucker. Photo by Ian Patterson
A HORMONE WITH PROMISE
The breakthroughs did not come quickly. It took decades of painstaking work for Drucker’s early laboratory findings to evolve into widely used treatments.
In 1987, he returned to U of T as an assistant professor at the Banting and Best Diabetes Centre. By this time, Drucker had become the first to identify the biologically active form of GLP-1 and to show, in insulin-producing cells grown in a dish, that GLP-1 boosts insulin secretion when glucose levels are high – but not when they’re low.
Yet GLP-1 had a major drawback: it degraded rapidly in the human body. Any therapy based directly on the hormone would be short-lived.
The solution came from an unlikely source – the Gila monster, a desert reptile whose venom contains a hormone that stimulates insulin release but is more stable than human GLP-1.
With help from the Royal Ontario Museum, Drucker obtained a Gila monster and analyzed its venom. He discovered that the reptile’s hormone could activate the human GLP-1 receptor, even though it was structurally distinct from the human body’s own GLP-1. His lab published the findings in 1997, helping to set the stage for drug development.
Years of further research and industry collaboration followed. In 2005, a synthetic version of the reptilian hormone became the first GLP-1 drug approved for type 2 diabetes, administered by a twice-daily injection. (Today’s medications offer longer-lasting, once-weekly dosing).
By then, Drucker’s lab had also helped establish that GLP-1 acted on receptors in the brain to suppress appetite, making these receptors a viable target for obesity treatment. (Prior research by other scientists had shown GLP-1 also curbed appetite by slowing gastric emptying.) This led to the approval of the first GLP-1 drug for weight loss in 2014.
TREATING CHRONIC CONDITIONS
With GLP-1 weight-loss drugs now surging in popularity, Drucker says he is concerned about how celebrity culture and social media hype could affect public perception and usage. At the same time, he hopes growing awareness of their effectiveness can help combat the stigma that obesity stems from a lack of discipline.
“People have struggled for years despite doing everything we tell them: the traditional advice of eat less and move more is just not helpful for many. Now, we see spectacular improvements in their health,” says Drucker. “It’s tremendously satisfying, and it allows many of these individuals to turn to the doubters in society and say, ‘I just needed help – and the GLP-1 medicines were the help that I needed.’”
Meanwhile, clinical evidence continues to expand. GLP-1 drugs are now used to reduce cardiovascular risk, kidney disease, metabolic liver disease and sleep apnea – owing to their effects on metabolism, inflammation and insulin sensitivity.
The hormone is also produced in the brain, says Drucker, where it appears to have protective properties. Clinical trials are underway to evaluate GLP-1 drugs for neurodegenerative diseases. Researchers have observed that they can dampen reward-seeking behaviour, raising the possibility that the drugs could one day play a role in treating substance use disorders.
As the list of potential benefits of GLP-1 grows, Drucker warns that the buzz must be balanced with caution and scientific rigour.
“There’s a tendency to say GLP-1 is a wonder drug, but it’s not going to help all of these disorders. We have to prepare to be disappointed,” he says. “But we’re very lucky that there are so many clinical trials underway that will tell us when GLP-1 is useful and when it’s not. It’s going to be an exciting next couple of years.”
Drucker’s current research extends beyond GLP-1. His lab has also discovered the role of a related hormone, GLP-2, in stimulating intestinal growth – work that led to a breakthrough treatment for short bowel syndrome, a rare and debilitating condition in which patients can’t absorb sufficient nutrients due to missing or damaged intestine.
Today, his focus remains on understanding how GLP-1 improves brain health and reduces inflammation across a range of diseases, while mentoring the next generation of researchers who will push the field forward.
He credits U of T’s research ecosystem as central to that work.
“I have experts in almost every endeavour working across the street from me at U of T and hospital research institutes,” he says. “It’s an extremely rich environment full of scientific talent, with people who are friendly and approachable and can elevate what we do.
“That’s why I’ve never left. I don’t think I could do what I do easily in other places. This has been a fantastic scientific home for me.”
Labelling Emotions: I am not bad, I feel the sadness - describe the sadness-describe the feeling - emptiness. Why should I have fun if they can’t anymore. They are quite fatigued - feel their soul and recharge. Clients hold so much shame. “I can’t do this - too sad.” Then say in a gentle way, “You’re choosing this and you can choose. This can take you from a deeper depression and will move in small steps. “You have choices.” Show them they do have the problem to change.
“You too are precious and deserving.” I am worthy of a good life. I am worthy of happiness. Is this behaviour and will it enforce you’re choosing to stay in depression?
“Let’s look at the achievements in your life.” “Think about that on your cruise.”
“Let’s look at your life and how you came out?”
When the storm hits: Can’t stand the pain. Ice water to splash on face, intense exercise, paced, breathing.
Five senses: hear, see, touch, smell, taste. Distractive, activities, moves. Contributing: Do something kind for another person. Movement. How would you sit if you were confident?
Emotional states can be influenced by a movement.
Letter writing, Guided Imagery, Empty chair, Legacy books.
Aunt had committed suicide. Thought of once together. Aunt said thanksgiving. What was it like a year later? Mother was working in the kitchen and screamed, “I miss my sister.” This is a woman who tried to commit suicide. “Imagine visiting you at the cemetery.
scenario two: Going through a troubled time. Now pick up the phone and ask, “How did you go through it?”
Continuing with Imagery helps………
Before going to the Conference I had received an email indicating that I could get a review of the first one or two pages of my next book. How can I resist? I like my own publisher/editor but I did want the freebie. She wanted to know about the next book and believe it or not I am quite reserved about telling too much until I have at least mailed a copy to myself by registered mail. Two pages wouldn't hurt. I thought she would check grammar structure etc....However, she was focused on two things - two of my characters, one being that I was perhaps stereo typing and the other the focus on my imaginary client. She felt it was too heavy. Well, you have been reading my notes for quite some time. I have attended many lectures, conference and with two degrees with a focus on psychology plus post grad well, I can assure you it is heavy. Thus I do use a character to lighten it. I feel comfortable doing so because I like my character. In my life I have seen so many people and do not hesitate to blend any in my characters. I do not write to appease anyone particular person I may be offending. I write fiction. It is my story. It is my character. I kill people (in my books only people). Listening to the Editor I thought that it should take priority over personality. So, I thought of perhaps teaching at an University in my book to explain to students what is happening in a therapy room something similar to my notes. But I probably won't. My story is about a therapist because my readers have consistently asked if I write about therapy. They seemed disappointed. I could not before because then it would have been too much. I was more comfortable killing people. Now, I can take the leap and join the two interests. The Editor wanted me to talk more about the client. I will not. It is my story and the main focus is killing people and not clients. Clients in the book are meant to educate a bit about problems that people in general experience and some things are horrific. It is not meant to be the focus. I am not saying they will not be killed. Good talk. Have a good weekend.
