In the Open

Theresa has a conversation with Kristen Abell about her journey discovering how she found out she has autism. Kristen shares when she first realized she might be autistic and how the label helped with validation. They talk about what it’s like being autistic in social situations, learning how to mimic other people and finding resources. To take a mental health screen, or to find mental health information and resources, visit mhascreening.org To submit questions, comments or ideas about future topics on the podcast, contact  podcast@mhanational.org

Theresa brought on Suzi Craig so she can share her personal experience with menopause and mental health. Suzi explains how menopause symptoms can be confusing for women and how she handled them. They compare the difference and similarities to puberty and menopause, exploring hormone replacement therapy and starting the menopause conversation early so you can have the tools for when it comes. To take a mental health screen, or to find mental health information and resources, visit mhascreening.org To submit questions, comments or ideas about future topics on the podcast, contact  podcast@mhanational.org

Allissa Torres is back to talk with Kojo Sarfo about how BIPOC folks can find community online. They discuss Kojo’s platform and his goal of bringing people together and promoting mental health awareness.  They discuss the importance of finding community for BIPOC folks, being a champion for equity and ways of finding groups of people with shared interests and experiences online. To take a mental health screen, or to find mental health information and resources, visit mhascreening.org To submit questions, comments or ideas about future topics on the podcast, contact  podcast@mhanational.org

Theresa is joined by Khendra Lucas to discuss how to create safety in your community. Khendra has experience helping create safe spaces in her community in Memphis, Tennessee and the focus of reframing the “dangerous” label Memphis has been given. They talk about helping others in your community with resources, making connections online with people in your area and defining what safety means to you. To take a mental health screen, or to find mental health information and resources, visit mhascreening.org To submit questions, comments or ideas about future topics on the podcast, contact  podcast@mhanational.org

Allissa Torres opens up a conversation with Megan Bryant about reconnecting with your culture. They each share ways they connect with their culture and feel a sense of community with the people around them. They talk about how culture impacts mental health, how going to community events is an easy way to connect with your culture, next steps on how to navigate the mental health system and how providers can create more culturally responsive environments. To take a mental health screen, or to find mental health information and resources, visit mhascreening.org To submit questions, comments or ideas about future topics on the podcast, contact  podcast@mhanational.org

Theresa and America are back to start a new series surrounding community. They each share their particular connection with their community and some feelings of not belonging. They talk about ways of finding community, their draw to their culture’s music and food and looking for the positives where community and culture intersect. To take a mental health screen, or to find mental health information and resources, visit mhascreening.org To submit questions, comments or ideas about future topics on the podcast, contact  podcast@mhanational.org

America got to have a meaningful conversation with Em Skehill and Luis Cornejo about gender identity and culture. Em and Luis share how their queerness opened up new possibilities for them and how it exists outside of the binary system. They talk about how they each navigated their gender identity in their respective cultures and how we’re seeing more visibility and representation but yet it’s still not safe for everyone. To take a mental health screen, or to find mental health information and resources, visit mhascreening.org To submit questions, comments or ideas about future topics on the podcast, contact  podcast@mhanational.org

America and Em are joined by Phii Regis to have a conversation about what it means to be Nonbinary. Phii takes us through their journey about when they started expressing their gender and when Phii started really focusing on their queer identity. They talk about why Phii identifies as Nonbinary Transfem and what that means, Phii’s ongoing safety concerns about being nonbinary out in the world and being your authentic self. To take a mental health screen, or to find mental health information and resources, visit mhascreening.org To submit questions, comments or ideas about future topics on the podcast, contact  podcast@mhanational.org

Em Skehill takes over this week with Schroeder Stribling to talk about being confused about the concept of gender. They were both assigned female at birth and they have both spent a lot of time thinking about the concept of gender expression and identity. They talk about reclaiming the word “queer”, Schroeder shares experiences growing up around gay culture and the spectrum of sexuality, sexual orientation, gender expression and gender identity. To take a mental health screen, or to find mental health information and resources, visit mhascreening.org To submit questions, comments or ideas about future topics on the podcast, contact  podcast@mhanational.org

Theresa speaks with Cate Desjardins, who provides LGBTQ+ Competent Therapy, to help us better understand gender. Cate explains how they help explore people’s curiosity and why they want to help deepen people’s understanding of gender among other things. They talk about Cate’s research project, choosing what gender best fits you and attempting to be wide open to the experiences of the people you love. To take a mental health screen, or to find mental health information and resources, visit mhascreening.org To submit questions, comments or ideas about future topics on the podcast, contact  podcast@mhanational.org

Theresa is joined by Debbie Plotnick (Executive Vice President for State and Federal Advocacy at Mental Health America) to touch on the importance of connecting through nature. Debbie is a nature person at heart and she explains how it stemmed from her childhood growing up in Philadelphia. They connect mental health and nature and how nature can help you become more present. To take a mental health screen, or to find mental health information and resources, visit mhascreening.org To submit questions, comments or ideas about future topics on the podcast, contact  podcast@mhanational.org

America brings on Brenda Mitchell (a survivor of gun violence) to talk about her and her family’s experience with gun violence. Brenda talks about her work with Everytown Survivor Network and why she specialized in trauma. There is a conversation about the impacts of gun violence on the families who lose their loved ones, the power of finding people with shared experience and the importance of self-care. Text READY to 64433 to get connected to Everytown Survivor Network. To learn more about the organization visit https://www.everytown.org/ To take a mental health screen, or to find mental health information and resources, visit mhascreening.org To submit questions, comments or ideas about future topics on the podcast, contact  podcast@mhanational.org

America brought on Dr. Joe Dzierzewski, the Vice President of Research and Scientific Affairs at the National Sleep Foundation, and they discuss ways to improve your sleep. Dr. Dzierzewski shares how his current sleep schedule is with two young children and the impact of the pandemic on people’s sleep. They talk about creating a comfortable sleep space, technology use before bed and the role of naps in your sleep routine. To take a mental health screen, or to find mental health information and resources, visit mhascreening.org To submit questions, comments or ideas about future topics on the podcast, contact  podcast@mhanational.org For more information on the National Sleep Foundation visit: https://www.thensf.org/

America helps guide Theresa through a personally difficult topic about not feeling safe at home. Theresa shares her experience of feeling paralyzed at home and how she was sent to live with another family in an environment that was not safe for her. They talk about claiming your power and protecting yourself, creating safe places and using the resources that are available to you. To take a mental health screen, or to find mental health information and resources, visit mhascreening.org To submit questions, comments or ideas about future topics on the podcast, contact  podcast@mhanational.org

Theresa enlists the help of Em Skehill to kick off a new series about the effects of a person’s environment. The general discussion is about physical environment and how it impacts their personal wellbeing. They zoom out on personal environment and go global to discuss their fears of the global environment and touch on the importance of creating pieces of home within yourself. To take a mental health screen, or to find mental health information and resources, visit mhascreening.org To submit questions, comments or ideas about future topics on the podcast, contact  podcast@mhanational.org

Theresa and America bring on Alora as a part of the addiction series and they discuss stress induced drinking. When you ask the question: “do I have a problem?” it is usually a sign that there might be an issue. They talk about recognizing healthy coping methods, how depression can play into triggering unhealthy habits and finding the thing that best suits you to stop bad habits. To take a mental health screen, or to find mental health information and resources, visit mhascreening.org To submit questions, comments or ideas about future topics on the podcast, contact  podcast@mhanational.org

Theresa and America speak with Joshua about how the people around him ruined their relationships because of excessive drinking and using drugs. Joshua’s family members struggled with addiction and he shares how he learned young about their problematic relationships with drugs and alcohol. They talk about recognizing the warning signs, generational trauma and remaining hopeful. To take a mental health screen, or to find mental health information and resources, visit mhascreening.org To submit questions, comments or ideas about future topics on the podcast, contact  podcast@mhanational.org

America and Theresa bring on Vicente to explore how to deal with cravings. Vicente shares his journey growing up in a low-income party town and how those experiences fueled his addictions. They talk about the moment when Vicente decided to stop drinking, why he had to become the man of the family and how he found a sense of community in his local teen center. To take a mental health screen, or to find mental health information and resources, visit mhascreening.org To submit questions, comments or ideas about future topics on the podcast, contact  podcast@mhanational.org

America and Theresa bring on Bill to talk about his lived experience with an addiction. Bill is a certified peer specialist who shares his recovery journey and what that means to him. They talk about the burden of shame that comes with addiction and how other people in recovery can be a real asset in your recovery. To take a mental health screen, or to find mental health information and resources, visit mhascreening.org To submit questions, comments or ideas about future topics on the podcast, contact  podcast@mhanational.org

Theresa brings Rachel on the show to talk about her lived experience with an addiction. Rachel shares how her addiction affected her everyday life and her road to recovery. They talk about removing yourself from your toxic environment and how Rachel’s son saved her life. To take a mental health screen, or to find mental health information and resources, visit mhascreening.org To submit questions, comments or ideas about future topics on the podcast, contact  podcast@mhanational.org