To Know We Are Not Alone

Everything in this episode is straight from the heart/mind/mouth of Tim...no notes to offer in other words. There will be a Part III with two of my friends sharing their thoughts/struggles with mental illness and religion. Music credit: Lady Antebellum, "Compass"

  Religion and Mental Illness Podcast Psyche (root of psychology): originally viewed as the human soul, mind, or spirit. Today we view the psyche as essentially rooted in our brains...something distinctly separate from our spirit. However, in religious circles, these two are still decidedly overlapped. Herein lies the problem/issue that is addressed in this podcast. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sigmund_Freud%27s_views_on_religion https://thepsychologist.bps.org.uk/volume-24/edition-4/mental-health-religion-and-culture No matter how you slice it, we have a serious problem in that religion and psychology are usually seen as being at odds with each other. Many religious people refuse mental health treatment, believing that God can/will cure them. Early 20th-century interest in religion and mental health was sparked by Freud’s view of religion as intrinsically neurotic. Freud described religion and its rituals as a collective neurosis, which, he suggested, could save a person the effort of form

Show Notes: Statistics taken from: http://www.healthyplace.com/abuse/self-injury/self-injury-self-harm-statistics-and-facts/ Self-harm is more an act of self-preservation than self-destruction. Aron Ralston: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aron_Ralston Tim shares first-hand stories from 3 people's self-harm experiences. Tim discusses Dialectical Behavioral Therapy: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dialectical_behavior_therapy

In this episode, Tim discusses the pros and cons of telling people at work about your mental illness. He also welcomes two guest contributors whose experiences differ somewhat from his. Helpful websites: http://www.time-to-change.org.uk/your-organisation/support-workplace/telling-my-manager http://www.mentalhealthworks.ca/what-should-i-say/ https://www.headsup.org.au/taking-care-of-myself-at-work/talking-about-a-mental-health-condition-at-work Music credit: Lady Antebellum, "Compass"

In this episode, Tim interviews Alison Dotson, author of "Being Me with OCD." They talk OCD, of course, but much more, too. They discuss how people can support those with a mental illness, how/when to seek treatment and much more. Here's the link to Alison's website: https://alisondotson.com And her book: Being Me With OCD John Hirschfeld's book: When a Family Member Has OCD Music Credit: Lady Antebellum, "Compass"

Survey of evangelical Christians' views on mental illness: http://blog.lifeway.com/newsroom/2013/09/17/half-of-evangelicals-believe-prayer-can-heal-mental-illness/   Tim's goals for TKWANA non-profit: Encourage - through writing, podcasting and speaking. Educate - through writing, podcasting, and speaking. Connect (this is the big, audacious goal that might take the rest of my life) - develop an AA-like model for people with mental illnesses to meet in small groups for the purpose of knowing they are not alone and having peers who help them take the necessary steps forward. Tips for telling someone you're mentally ill: Pick a "sure thing", someone you're as safe as possible with. If you don't have such a person, email Tim or talk to a therapist at the very least. Proceed with caution; go slowly! Point out specific behaviors or events that will illustrate to your loved one(s) how this illness affects you.

In this podcast, Tim reflects on his past two months - a time during which he has vividly experienced the bi-polar II roller coaster. Tim shares his thoughts on self-awareness, self-care, the dangers of Facebook, gun rights, the Orlando Massacre, and even how to train a ferret. You'll have to listen to find out which one of those is a lie.

In this episode, Tim shares stories of mentally ill folks being terribly misunderstood; he also provides some suggestions for how those who are mentally ill and those who love and support them can work toward understanding each other and working together toward healthier relationships and lives. Show Notes: Music by Lady Antebellum, "Compass" Atlantic Monthly article on anxiety, by Scott Stossel, http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2014/01/surviving_anxiety/355741/ Please go to iTunes and give this podcast a rating…a good one, preferably. If you have something you'd like to suggest, please email Tim at toknowwearenotalone@gmail.com. Sign up to follow this endeavor either at toknowwearenotalone.com or on the Facebook page by the same title.  

A eulogy I gave in honor of my friend Riley Sisson, who died in 2014 as a direct result of his mental health and addiction struggles. I challenge the audience to not simply hope they'll "do something" in honor of Riley, but to put something on their calendar and repeat it so it actually happens. As I put it, "Do something, and keep doing it!" This challenge turned into a post on my blog which was picked up by the Obsessive Compulsive Foundation for their own blog. Riley, I miss you every day and hope this message honors you and your memory, my friend!

TKWANA – Podcast 4 Show Notes The process of forming a 501(c)3 for To Know We Are Not Alone is underway thanks to a donor who is paying for the legal stuff. Greatergood.berkeley.edu definition of Mindfulness: Mindfulness means maintaining a moment-by-moment awareness of our thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and surrounding environment. Mindfulness also involves acceptance, meaning that we pay attention to our thoughts and feelings without judging them—without believing, for instance, that there’s a “right” or “wrong” way to think or feel in a given moment. When we practice mindfulness, our thoughts tune into what we’re sensing in the present moment rather than rehashing the past or imagining the future. http://greatergood.berkeley.edu/topic/mindfulness/definition Huffington Post: Mindfulness Meditation Benefits: 20 Reasons Why It’s Good For Your Mental And Physical Health: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/08/mindfulness-meditation-benefits-health_n_3016045.html Recommended Apps: Mindfulness I &am

In episode 3, Tim discusses the use of mantras as a way to retrain the brain how to process the world around it. Specifically, he addresses two of his favorite mantras: “Quit Shoulding On Yourself” and “Do What Works.” Tune in for some examples of how you might put these to use in your own life.

In episode 2, Tim addresses the second component of this non-profit endeavor: loneliness. Having always felt that loneliness comes part and parcel with mental illness, Tim is equally as passionate about alleviating loneliness as he is about educating people regarding mental illness. Most importantly, Tim shares a very embarrassing story about a time when he felt the need to openly confess to his friends about one of his past obsessions.

In episode 1, Tim tells listeners why he's starting a podcast, and more importantly, why he's starting a non-profit. He shares his own lifelong journey with OCD, depression, anxiety, and bi-polar disorder and in order to explain why he's become so passionate about letting people with mental illnesses know they are not alone.