https://www.instagram.com/drjennrapkin/
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575991456912
www.drjennrapkin.com

Jeanette’s books:
https://a.co/d/0c2objjx
https://a.co/d/05gu8QMY
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B149JLWY?ref_=saga_ast_ss_dsk_sdp

YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Jeanette-icallySpeaking

Non-profit: https://celiacenter.org/

Website: http://www.jeanetteyoffe.com/

In this episode of The Just A Mom Podcast, Dr. Sherman shares her extensive experience in clinical psychology, focusing on the impact of mental illness on families, particularly children. Dr. She emphasizes the importance of listening and support for family members dealing with mental health issues. Dr. Sherman discusses the challenges faced by children of parents with mental illness, the responsibilities they often take on, and the need for resources and awareness in educational settings. She also highlights the significance of prevention and early intervention, as well as the role of co-parents in navigating these complex dynamics. I’m Not Alone, A Teen’s Guide to Living with a Parent Who Has a Mental Illness or History of Trauma was co-authored by Dr. Sherman, along with her mother, DeAnne. In this book, Dr. Sherman and DeAnne hope to help teens feel seen and supported, and can be found at https://www.seedsofhopebooks.com/

Libby shares that she knew immediately that she wanted to use Cooper’s story to educate and spread awareness. Even though both Libby and her husband are healthcare providers, Libby says they had no idea about the counterfeit pills containing lethal doses of fentanyl that are being sold on social media to kids all across the country. She wants to use her grief to keep other families from experiencing this tragedy. Three main points Libby emphasizes are:

    1.    This can happen to any family.
    2.    We have to talk about it in schools and at home, at any chance we have.
    3.    The only safe pill is one that is prescribed to you by a physician and filled at a pharmacy. If it comes from social media, you have to assume it’s fake, full of fentanyl, and will kill you. 

Having spoken at over 70 schools to date, Libby emphasizes that this is not a one-time conversation and that one bad decision can result in death. Libby brings to light the role of drug cartels in the fentanyl crisis and shares some staggering statistics from the Drug Enforcement Administration (https://www.dea.gov/ (https://www.dea.gov/)). In February of 2023, more than 99% of drugs seized by the DEA were counterfeit, and fifty percent of those seized had a lethal dose of fentanyl in them. Libby also emphasizes that drugs are no longer being sold on street corners but on social media and apps that kids and teens use on a daily basis.

Some of the helpful resources Libby references are:

https://addictionisreal.org/our-story/

https://www.dea.gov/operation-engage

https://www.songforcharlie.org/

https://www.cooperdavismemorialfoundation.org

Jason is an incredible dad who lost his 11-year-old son, Carson, to suicide in 2017. Jason shares openly and candidly about losing his son, and how his closest friends, or “bus family,” came in and helped Jason and his family navigate the days following Carson’s death. Shortly after Carson’s funeral, Jason started thinking about all the people who don’t have a “bus family,” and don’t know what to do or who to call in the immediate aftermath of losing a loved one. When he couldn’t find any resources online, Jason decided to establish Carson’s Village (https://carsonsvillage.org/) to assist families after losing a loved one. Carson’s Village, an official 501(c)3 nonprofit, launched in January of 2018 and helped their first family in the Dallas area, where Jason lives. To date, Carson’s Village has helped almost 9,000 families across the United States in the aftermath of losing a loved one. Jason shares that initially he thought he could help everyone in person, but quickly realized that was not possible, so they pivoted to an online format. Carson’s Village helps with practical things like selecting a funeral home, explaining the funeral process, and creating fundraising pages. Carson’s Village now provides support to families for up to two years after losing a loved one through check-ins, support groups, peer-to-peer programs, counselors, and a partnership with Better Help (https://www.betterhelp.com/ (https://www.betterhelp.com/)). Additionally, Jason and his team have developed Bereavement Village (https://bereavementvillage.com/ (https://bereavementvillage.com/)) to “support the supporters”—those on the front lines. Carson’s Village partners with school districts, hospitals, companies, police departments, and the like to help families in practical ways after the death of a loved one. Feel free to reach out to Jason personally at jason@carsonsvillage.org  if you, your organization, or your employer is interested in partnering with Carson’s Village.

Family Rights and HIPAA Facts: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1W6DO-beIMgMww0xH1QTUBECiSXd85W8H/view?usp=drive_link; 

HIPAA Decision Tree: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DsI-DpSCFrZLfgCknTqjaMqXTavh0AGu/view?usp=drive_link; 

Family Involvement Accelerates Recovery: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IoCvWj7H56K-F4qtSL5hiGHriEn6Nk8U/view?usp=drive_link; 

Every Homeless Person Has A Mother: https://everyhomelesspersonhasamother.substack.com; 

https://www.nationalshatteringsilencecoalition.org/; 

What I Wish I’d Known: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KnkPLJKF7TCNyvTwxgnZIhtAcDOCgoYQ/view?usp=drive_link

This episode is the continuation and conclusion of my conversation with Joanne. Joanne discusses the myriad of therapies and therapeutic modalities she has incorporated into her own healing work. She talks about her work on her master’s degree in counseling (https://www.agoodlifeworks.com/). Joanne emphasizes how important it is for parents to take care of their own mental health. Joanne says she realized there was a missing piece in her healing, and she has found that by volunteering with ATLAST (http://joinatlast.org). Through ATLAST, Joanne is able to help Latino youth talk about their mental health.

Listen as Joanne shares her heart-wrenching story of losing her oldest son, Jacob, to suicide in September 2022.  Joanne shares that Jacob was a happy, easy child, and that she started noticing changes in his junior year in high school during Covid. Jacob stopped playing baseball, which he had always loved, and became more isolated in his senior year.  He had an online relationship but did not want to socialize with others. When he graduated from high school, Joanne shares that Jacob wasn’t sure what he wanted to do with his life. 

After sharing that he had thought seriously about suicide, Jacob agreed to go to counseling.  However, when his online girlfriend broke up with him, he was devastated. Jacob died by suicide on September 25, 2022.  Joanne was wracked with grief when Jacob’s father died by suicide less than a month after Jacob. Joanne vulnerably and honestly shares the depth of pain and grief she experienced, leading to her own suicide attempt and subsequent hospitalization.

We discuss the importance of listening to our children, advocating for them, and mental health education. Lynda does a deep dive on all of the ways NFF works for families dealing with mental health issues and the mission of The National Federation of Families, which is a national family-run organization that serves as the national voice for families whose loved ones experience mental health and/or substance use disorders during their lifetime.

Lynda stresses the importance of treating the whole person and how, unfortunately, there is such a division between treating those who struggle with both mental illness and substance use disorder.  Lynda encourages listeners to peruse the website and to call the NFF with any questions or for help.

We conclude by discussing the annual NFF Conference (https://www.ffcmh.org/2025-conference), which will be held virtually this year.

This is the second of a three-part series with Holly Miles. In this episode, Holly discusses some of the behaviors her adopted son started exhibiting after she and her husband adopted him. Some of these behaviors included inappropriate sexual behaviors and pornography use, sexual abuse, and physical violence. Holly and her husband worked incredibly hard to find the appropriate treatment for her son, which eventually led them to the Capstone Wellness Treatment Center in Arkansas (https://capstonewellness.com/). Holly discusses in-depth their experience with her son’s residential treatment at Capstone, which included extensive parent and family therapy as well.  Even though Holly says her son left treatment as a completely changed kid, it was only a matter of weeks before her son violently attacked her and her husband physically.

DBT was founded in 1993 by Dr. Marsha Linehan and became popular around 2010. Diana shares how DBT is a powerful treatment for suicidal thoughts and ideation, depression, borderline personality disorder, anxiety, bipolar disorder, substance abuse, and eating disorders. Diana talks about how her own life events and battle with suicidal thoughts led her to DBT as a client and the transformative power of the tool kit she took from it.

Diana wrote DBT For Life to be user-friendly; something that people could consume in bite-sized chunks and enter in the most helpful way for the reader. The book is full of illustrations and stories of applying DBT skills. Diana dives into the four tenets of DBT therapy and takes the listeners through an example. Diana also runs groups online
(https://dbtforlife.com/) and hosts a podcast called Suffering Optional (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/suffering-optional/id1767018426). DBT For Life can be purchased here: https://www.amazon.com/Dbt-Life-Skills-transform-Lotus/dp/B0CW2ZKB5S

With the rise in the legalization of marijuana, Laura also advocates for parents to understand Cannabis-induced psychosis and the rise of this problem among teens and young adults (https://learnaboutsam.org/,
https://johnnysambassadors.org/stopdabbing/?gad_source=1).

To learn more about Allies In Recovery go to https://alliesinrecovery.net/. Allies in Recovery also has a podcast:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/coming-up-for-air-families-speak-to-families-about/id1227530792.

While in patient, Stacee started writing blog posts, which eventually became part of her first book, You Are Worth Saving (https://www.amazon.com/You-Worth-Saving-Stacee-Goetzinger/dp/1641142758). Stacee also founded Speak Out Loud, a non-profit organization created to bring hope and encouragement into the silence, isolation, and despair created by mental illness. Doug and Stacee also host a podcast by the same name ( https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/speak-out-loud/id1544996161) on which I have been a guest (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/speak-out-loud/id1544996161?i=1000589034457; 

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/speak-out-loud/id1544996161?i=1000644620409). Throughout all of our conversations, Doug and Stacee both emphasize the importance of their faith in Jesus during their entire journey.

Stacee has recently released her second book, The Boat That Wouldn’t Sink (https://www.amazon.com/Boat-That-Wouldnt-Sink-Memoir/dp/B0DFC6VTNC).

Meredith talks about the different types of trauma and the services James Trail provides, including social media posts, blogs, a podcast, and newsletters. James Trail wants the content to spur conversations between people so that people are willing to step in to receive help. Meredith also emphasizes the importance of a safe community, and what it really means to be “trauma-informed.”

In addition to the content James Trail produces, they provide in-person trauma-informed workshops across the globe so that people can bring this knowledge back to their places of work and service. Meredith wants people to walk away from their training with a deeper understanding of trauma and mental health, and also with questions and conversations they want to have with people in their circles. 

Meredith shares about her faith as well as her own journey as a mom with adopted kids and how she was forced to deal with some of her own childhood trauma as a result. Learn more about James Trail at https://www.jamestrail.org, and check out their podcast here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/james-trail-from-functional-to-flourishing/id1725734454.

In this episode, Stephanie shares about her daughter’s six-month residential stay at the Eating Recovery Center in Dallas (https://www.eatingrecoverycenter.com/recovery-centers/dallas) followed by two months of partial hospitalization treatment there. Stephanie discusses how their family managed this time, and how her daughter missed her entire junior year of high school. Upon returning home, Stephanie talks about how her daughter was able to complete two years of high school in one year and graduate on time. While the journey hasn’t been perfect and her daughter still struggles, her daughter is currently in her sophomore year of college and living on campus. Stephanie encourages parents to find community when they have a child with mental illness, and how important letting go was for her to find peace.

In this episode, Stephanie chronicles the long journey of her daughter’s refusal to eat, which resulted in a feeding tube. Stephanie talks about their journey with outpatient, inpatient, and residential treatments, the difficulties of navigating the mental health system and insurance, and the importance of couples counseling for Stephanie and her husband during this trying time. Stephanie talks about how crucial it was for them to share what was going on with their safe community, and the support they felt as a result. This episode concludes with Stephanie’s daughter going to the Eating Recovery Center ( https://www.eatingrecoverycenter.com/recovery-centers/dallas) in Dallas.

Because of all of her personal pain and learning, Casie co-founded Other Parents Like Me (oplm.com (http://oplm.com)). She started OPLM because she needed a lifeline for herself. OPLM is parent and caregiver-focused, providing free webinars and a myriad of resources for a nominal cost, including 18 support groups a week.

Casie is passionate about creating a place where no one is shocked to hear what someone has to say and has done the research that shows how important peer support is. Additionally, financial aid is available for those who need it.

Make sure you check out Other Parents Like Me (oplm.com/)

Kristie shares how she knew that she had to do something immediately after losing Hunter and that she and her husband were committed to not hiding the fact that Hunter’s death was by suicide.  In the wake of her grief, Kristie started the You Matter organization in her local community of Archie, Missouri (https://www.facebook.com/YouMatterArchie/).  Kristie and “her girls” work tirelessly to make all members of their community feel loved and heard. Kristie has taken the indescribable pain of losing a child to suicide and channeled her experience into helping others not have to go through the same kind of pain she has experienced. 

Jessica has also compiled caregiving mom stories into a book, Becoming Brave Together (https://www.amazon.com/Becoming-Brave-Together-Extraordinary-Caregiving-ebook/dp/B0D123VCRS). Jessica wants moms to pick up this book and feel seen, heard, and validated. She also hopes the book will help others open their eyes to the challenges caregivers face.

Sierra was able to recover and manage her symptoms for several months, and eventually, she and her husband decided to have another baby. Sierra thought she would be able to stay on top of her mental health during her second pregnancy. However, early in that pregnancy, she had a major insomnia episode, which led to medication.  Major anxiety set in a couple of months later, which led to paranoia, delusions, and delirium. When she was seven months pregnant, she had a suicide attempt because of the delusions. Sierra felt chronically suicidal for weeks and concealed symptoms from her care team because she was afraid and wanted to protect her family from her dark thoughts. Sierra recovered and delivered a healthy baby boy.

Sierra talks about the incredible support from her husband and parents, and how she felt so much shame but also incredible empathy for others who struggle with mental illness. 

In this episode, Tracey chronicles the myriad of treatments they tried—counseling, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient treatment, and eventually in-patient treatment. Tracey shares vulnerably how a big part of her journey was learning all of the things inside her that needed healing, and that she couldn’t control her daughter’s healing. Tracey also talks about how she felt so many of the things that many of us have felt—she didn’t want to share with people what was going on with her daughter, and she isolated herself a lot because of this. 

While so many of us talk about self-care as a vital part of maintaining our mental health, Tracey takes it a step further and challenges listeners to learn about themselves to become our best true selves.  She also emphasizes the importance of educating yourself about mental illness. 

This episode is a continuation of my conversation with Coach Dowling. If you haven't listened to last week's episode, please go back and listen to it. Coach Dowling is honest, raw, and real about his brother's death by suicide and his own mental health
struggles.

This episode is the first in a two-part series that you don't want to miss if you didn't hear it the first time. Coach Dowling is very open and vulnerable about losing his brother to suicide as well as his own battle with depression and suicidal ideation. He shares candidly about his time in an in-patient psychiatric hospital as well as the
incredible circle of support he has.

Suzanne shared with me (and I’m sharing this with her permission) that she had no idea how freeing it would be to tell her story on The Just A Mom podcast. She said since the time of recording, she has found herself more willing/able to share her story. I would encourage everyone to follow in Suzanne’s footsteps and share your story with a safe person.

Trevor was at the top of his profession, being named National Digital Principal of the Year in 2021, when, for the sake of his mental health, he made a significant career move to the world of E-Sports. Since the time of our interview, he has moved into a new position with SchoolAI (https://schoolai.com/). 

Kari is one of the many parents who have called me over the past few years because her daughter was suicidal. was also an early encourager of the Just A Mom podcast.  Grief is a big part of her story as she lost her dad at a young age. Kari has chosen to use her pain and experience as a young widow to help others as a professional grief coach (https://karidriskell.com/). In our conversation Kari shares her daughter’s mental health journey and some of the ways losing her dad at such a young age impacted that.

Kari shared with me that her daughter is doing well.  She’s on track to graduate early, is working as a nanny and plans on getting a regular job in the fall. She’s driving, writing, reading, and gaming. AND Kari’s daughter still has depressive spells. I think this is just another reminder that for so many this is a life-long journey.

Key Takeaways

• Early detection of mental health issues in children is pivotal for timely intervention.
• Even parents, including those in healthcare, can overlook signs and must remain vigilant.
• Challenges persist in mental health care accessibility and insurance coverage.
• Mental illness profoundly affects family dynamics and warrants support and understanding.
• Parenting a child with mental health issues can reshape healthcare professionals' approach to medicine.
• The effects of bullying on mental health and well-being.
• Addressing bullying and eradicating the stigma surrounding mental health remain pertinent issues.
• Promoting the importance of empathy is crucial despite potential developmental constraints in youth.
• Open dialogue about mental health and empathy cultivation are vital for children's well-being.
• Providing support through attentive listening, devoid of a solution-driven agenda, is immensely impactful.
• Prioritizing personal therapy is essential for parents navigating a child's mental health challenges.
• Parents of young children should focus on individualized understanding and foster open communication.
• Trusting instincts and seeking early assistance are pivotal when suspecting a child's mental health struggles.
• Embracing a day-by-day approach and celebrating small victories aids in navigating parenthood amidst mental health challenges.
• Maintaining hope and acknowledging the transient nature of adversity is crucial for resilience.

Topics: bullying and mental health, the effects of bullying on mental health and well-being, the importance of empathy

Throughout the conversation, Ryan emphasizes the importance of discussing mental health, particularly for men who might be hesitant to share their struggles. He advocates for seeking help and support and delves into how his faith significantly contributed to his healing process, stressing the significance of surrendering to God's plan. Ryan also touches on the different facets of intimacy in relationships and underscores the need for balance. He addresses the stigma surrounding mental health in religious communities and underscores the importance of recognizing mental health as a medical condition.

Key Takeaways:

• 
  Childhood experiences and family dynamics can have a profound impact on one's emotional well-being, self-worth, and self-esteem.
• The pursuit of external validation and material success may lead to feelings of emptiness and dissatisfaction.
• Seeking help through counseling can provide valuable insights and support in navigating depression.
• Journaling and creative outlets are effective tools for processing emotions and gaining clarity during the journey to recovery.
• Discussing mental health is crucial, especially for men who may be hesitant to open up about their struggles.
• Faith can play a significant role in the healing process, offering hope and purpose.
• Intimacy in relationships involves physical, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual connections.
• Understanding mental health as a medical condition helps reduce stigma and promotes effective treatment.
• If you want to hear more about Ryan’s story we warmly recommend his book “The Shame of Me”. This book represents Ryan’s sincere wish to help others by sharing more stories from his life.

Topics: mental health in religious communities, mental health and religion, self-worth and self-esteem

Introduction: Welcome back to the Just a Mom podcast! In this highly anticipated episode, Susie is joined once again by Carron Montgomery. Carron brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table, delving into topics ranging from neuroplasticity to the therapeutic benefits of nature. Throughout the conversation, Carron shares invaluable insights into the challenges faced by individuals and families in today's digital age, emphasizing the importance of balanced emotional expression and the power of human connection. As an added treat, Carron discusses her new book, "The Invisible Riptide" , a testament to her dedication to empowering individuals of all ages with the tools they need to navigate life's complexities.

• 
  Parental Concerns Amidst the Pandemic:
  • 
    The discussion starts with the anxiety parents face during the pandemic while needing to work.
  • 
    Emphasizes the difficulty in reverting to a pre-digital era but stresses the importance of understanding and communicating these concerns to children.
• 
  Exposure to Inappropriate Content:
  • 
    Concerns were raised about children encountering explicit material online, including pornography and inappropriate pop-ups, even on seemingly safe platforms like Roblox.
  • 
    Advocates for open conversations with children about these topics rather than avoiding them, referencing resources like "Good Pictures, Bad Pictures" and "Yes, Your Kid."
• 
  Embracing Emotions and Growth
  • 
    Discussion on the importance of allowing children to experience and process emotions without immediately seeking to fix them.
  • 
    Recognition of the value of mistakes as opportunities for growth and learning.
• 
  Introduction to The Invisible Riptide
  • 
    Carron shares the inspiration behind writing The Invisible Riptide series during the pandemic to address the shared struggles people face while feeling isolated.
  • 
    Emphasis on the book's aim to reassure readers that they are not alone in their experiences and to guide managing emotions.
• 
  Providing Resources and Support
  • 
    Carron discusses the additional resources provided in The Invisible Riptide, such as discussion guides, songs, and a toolbox for emotional management.
  • 
    Recognition of the overwhelming nature of seeking resources and the importance of presenting information in a manageable and accessible format.
• 
  Upcoming Graphic Novel on Social Media
  • 
    Introduction to Carron's upcoming graphic novel on social media, aimed at providing non-preachy guidance on navigating online interactions.
  • 
    Discussion on the role of generational wisdom and character dynamics in the graphic novel, fostering understanding between different age groups.
• 
  The Importance of Human Connection
  • 
    Discussion on the intrinsic need for human connection and the impact of social media on interpersonal relationships.
  • 
    Carron emphasizes the significance of understanding emotions and using them as guides for healthy technology usage.
  • 
    Carron stresses the importance of education over-reliance on protective apps, highlighting children's resourcefulness in bypassing parental controls.
• 
  Impact on Mental Health and Peer Dynamics
  • 
    Exploration of the phenomenon of self-identification with mental health diagnoses among tweens and teens, influenced by peer dynamics and trauma bonding.
  • 
    Carron shares anecdotes illustrating the complexities of adolescent social dynamics and the importance of fostering open dialogue and support networks.
• 
  Parental Support and Modeling Behavior
  • 
    Reflects on the challenges of balancing support and guidance without controlling or fixing children's problems.
  • 
    Emphasizes the importance of acknowledging children's struggles and providing unconditional love and acceptance.
  • 
    Advocates for validating children's experiences and offering support while respecting their autonomy and boundaries.
• 
  Recognizing the Need for Professional Help
  • 
    Explores indicators that may signal the need for professional intervention, such as persistent emotional distress or changes in behavior.
  • 
    Discusses the role of pediatricians and the importance of seeking help without stigma or shame.
• 
  Empowering Personal Growth and Neuroplasticity
  • 
    Delves into the concept of neuroplasticity and its role in personal growth and behavioral change.
  • 
    Carron discusses the importance of consistency and engagement in activities to promote positive neuroplasticity and overcome mental ruts.
• 
  Gratitude and Appreciation
  • 
    Expresses gratitude for the opportunity to share knowledge and expertise on mental health and parenting through the podcast.

Introduction: In this episode of the Just a Mom podcast, Susie introduces Carron Montgomery, a licensed professional counselor, registered play therapist, level two trained EMDR, and trauma specialist. Carron shares her wealth of knowledge and expertise, offering valuable insights into neuroplasticity, the therapeutic benefits of nature, and the importance of balanced emotional expression. Additionally, Carron discusses her new book, "The Invisible Riptide," underscoring her commitment to empowering individuals and families with the tools they need to navigate life's challenges. Stay tuned for an engaging and informative conversation with Carron Montgomery on the Just A Mom podcast.

• 
  Introduction to Carron's Work
  • 
    Carron explains her current work in private practice, specializing in treating anxiety, depression, ADHD, and trauma across various age groups.
• 
  Increase in Youth Mental Health Issues
  • 
    Discussion on factors contributing to the rise in mental health issues among youth and teens over the past decade.
  • 
    Influence of smartphones and social media on shaping perceptions and exacerbating anxiety.
  • 
    Lack of breaks from social issues due to constant connectivity leads to increased stress and feelings of exclusion.
• 
  Impact of Technology on Youth Development
  • 
    Concerns about the early exposure of children to electronic devices leading to a lack of preparedness for the emotional and social consequences of online interactions.
  • 
    Carron's efforts to address these issues through educational resources like her graphic novel on social media.
• 
  Role of Parents and Educators
  • 
    Importance of parents and educators in providing accurate information and teaching emotional regulation skills to children.
  • 
    Encouragement for parents to experiment with limiting screen time and observing its impact on their children's well-being.
  • 
    Emphasis on fostering healthy relationships with technology and recognizing signs of unhealthy usage.
• 
  The Importance of Learning Through Mistakes
  • 
    Discusses the necessity for children to make mistakes under parental guidance to facilitate learning and development.
  • 
    Highlights concerns about overprotective parenting potentially hindering children's ability to navigate challenges independently.
• 
  Understanding and Accepting Emotions
  • 
    Emphasizes the importance of allowing children to experience and process strong emotions without feeling the need to immediately fix or suppress them.
  • 
    Advocates for a balanced approach to addressing emotional needs, acknowledging the value of both validation and guidance.
• 
  Introduction to "The Invisible Riptide"
  • 
    Explores the origins of the book "The Invisible Riptide" and its mission to provide comfort and support to children and teenagers struggling with mental health issues.
  • 
    Discusses the book's accessibility and inclusive approach, designed to resonate with both young readers and their parents.
• 
  Creating a Common Language and Resources
  • 
    Highlights the significance of establishing a common language between parents and children regarding mental health and emotions.
  • 
    Provides insight into the book's discussion guide, dyslexia-friendly font, and diverse representation to enhance accessibility.
• 
  Empowering Through Resources and Collaboration
  • 
    Carron shares the motivation behind offering additional resources and free materials on the book's website to support parents and educators.
  • 
    Expresses commitment to endorsing helpful products and providing valuable information without financial gain.
• 
  Upcoming Projects
  • 
    Carron teases the release of a new graphic novel aimed at addressing social media issues in a relatable and non-preachy manner.
  • 
    Discusses the decision to utilize a graphic novel format to cater to diverse learning styles and meet readers where they are.
  • 
    Shares plan for future projects and collaborations to promote mental health awareness and emotional well-being.

Join us for the next episode of the Just a Mom podcast featuring Carron Montgomery, a licensed professional counselor and trauma specialist. In this enlightening conversation, Carron shares invaluable insights into youth mental health. Discover how Carron's new book, "The Invisible Riptide," can provide comfort and support to children and teens struggling with mental health issues. In the second part of this episode, learn about the resources and strategies Carron offers to parents and educators for fostering healthy relationships with technology and promoting emotional resilience in children!

The discussion extends to critical topics such as the dangers associated with fentanyl and counterfeit pills, the growing prevalence of vaping and alcohol use among teens, and the risks tied to hosting alcohol parties for teenagers. The spotlight is on the fentanyl crisis, emphasizing the necessity of Narcan, and the importance of safe medication storage to mitigate risks.

Pat Aussem sheds light on treatment options for substance abuse, ranging from counseling and harm reduction methods to intensive outpatient programs and residential care. The conversation underscores the significance of addressing the root causes of addiction and emphasizes the need for ongoing dialogues about drugs and alcohol with children.

Key Takeaways:

• 
  The Partnership to End Addiction provides comprehensive support and resources for families dealing with substance abuse, covering prevention to treatment.
• 
  Recognizing the strong connection between mental health issues and substance abuse is crucial, advocating for a simultaneous approach to address both aspects.
• 
  Marijuana legalization has contributed to increased substance use among young people, necessitating education about associated risks.
• 
  Fentanyl and counterfeit pills pose significant threats, highlighting the importance of Narcan availability to reverse overdoses.
• 
  Safe storage of medications and firearms is imperative to prevent misuse and accidents.
• 
  Treatment options for substance abuse encompass a spectrum from counseling to intensive residential care.
• 
  Addressing the root causes of substance abuse is vital, requiring support and resources for individuals and families.
• 
  Initiating conversations about drugs and alcohol with children at a young age is a preventive measure against future substance abuse.
• 
  Normalizing substance use conversations from a young age facilitates open communication, making it easier for children to discuss these topics.
• 
  Establish open lines of communication with your child, letting them know they can approach you for help.
• 
  The Partnership to End Addiction offers free and confidential resources for families in need. Their helpline number is 855-378-4373.

Topics: alcohol use among teens, substance abuse, mental health issues and substance abuse 

Introduction: In the second episode featuring Major General Gregg F. Martin conversation extends to the prevalence of bipolar disorder in the military, addressing the significant challenges faced by service members. Major General Martin underscores the persistent stigma surrounding mental health issues and acknowledges the positive strides made in mental health support within the military while acknowledging the remaining hurdles.

Medication Cocktail and Treatment Approach

• 
  Mental illness treatment often involves a trial-and-error process to find the right medication and therapy combination.
• 
  Gregg highlights the importance of a holistic, multidimensional approach to mental health care, involving medication, therapy, and support from various professionals.

Quality of Psychiatric Care in VA Hospitals

• 
  Gregg shares his positive experience with the psychiatric department at White River Junction VA, emphasizing its exceptional quality compared to other VA hospitals.
• 
  However, he acknowledges that the standard of care may vary across different VA facilities due to factors like size and patient volume.

Prevalence of Mental Illness in the Military

• 
  Gregg suggests that the military environment, characterized by stress and high-energy expectations, may contribute to a higher prevalence of mental health conditions like bipolar disorder.
• 
  There has been progress in the military's approach to mental health, allowing service members with conditions like PTSD, depression, and anxiety to continue serving with proper treatment.

Promoting Mental Health Awareness and Recovery

• 
  Gregg's book, "Bipolar General: My Forever War with Mental Illness," aims to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and promote recovery strategies for individuals struggling with mental illness.
• 
  The discussion emphasizes the importance of seeking timely help and effective treatment to prevent the detrimental impact of untreated mental illness.

Personal Experience with Bipolar Disorder

• 
  Gregg provides insights into the manic and depressive episodes associated with bipolar disorder, describing the euphoria and grandiosity of mania contrasted with the lethargy and despair of depression.
• 
  He underscores the biological nature of mental illnesses, emphasizing that they are not character flaws but physiological conditions affecting brain function.

Topics: bipolar disorder survivor, bipolar survivor, bipolar disorder in the military 

Introduction: In this episode of the Just A Mom podcast, Susie engages in a compelling conversation with Major General Gregg F. Martin, a combat veteran and resilient bipolar disorder survivor. Major General Martin candidly shares his tumultuous journey of grappling with bipolar disorder, shedding light on the unique challenges he confronted within the military. The first part of this interview delves into the complexities of misdiagnosis and the onset of his illness during the Iraq War, exploring the profound impact on his career. 

Major General Martin’s Background

• 
  Major General Gregg F. Martin, PhD, US Army veteran, combat veteran, bipolar disorder survivor, and advocate.
• 
  Extensive military background with notable achievements and command positions.
• 
  Major General Martin retired due to a state of full-blown mania, exacerbated by bipolar disorder, which had been undiagnosed and untreated for over a decade.
• 
  His dismissal from National Defense University marked the climax of a 10-year struggle with bipolar disorder triggered during the Iraq War.

Medical Evaluation

• 
  Despite seeking medical evaluation multiple times, he received misdiagnoses and was deemed fit for duty, leading to spiraling depression and psychosis.
• 
  Proper diagnosis of bipolar disorder type one and psychosis came after severe depression episodes in 2014.

Impact on Work and Relationships

• 
  Major General Martin's manic episodes went unnoticed or were attributed to high performance during his military career, but erratic behavior was observed closer to his retirement.
• 
  His wife noticed gradual changes in behavior over the years but didn't associate them with mental illness until the situation escalated in 2014.

Psychiatric Hospitalization

• 
  Major General Martin's positive experience with inpatient psychiatric care at the VA followed ineffective treatment from military and civilian providers.
• 
  A thorough assessment at the VA led to the proper diagnosis and treatment plan, including inpatient care.
• 
  Major General Martin's book, 'Bipolar General,' aims to save lives, foster recovery, support bipolar survivors, and combat the pervasive stigma surrounding mental illness.

Topics: bipolar disorder survivor, bipolar survivor, bipolar disorder in the military 

Introduction: In the second part of the episode, Meggin reflects on her son's high school years, highlighting his compassionate nature. The narrative unfolds to reveal significant changes before college – a noticeable loss of energy and breakdowns in communication. Meggin courageously shares her son's accusation of emotional abuse, revealing the strain on their relationship. Throughout, she advocates for openness and compassion in addressing mental health challenges, stressing the interconnectedness of individuals and the pressing need to eradicate the stigma and shame linked to these struggles. This episode encapsulates an exploration of resilience, support, and the continuous quest for mental health awareness and understanding.

Observations in High School

• Meggin reflects on her son's high school years, describing him as a compassionate and supportive individual.
• Talks about the noticeable changes before he left for college, including loss of energy and communication breakdown.
• Meggin recounts her son's accusation of emotional abuse, leading to a strained relationship before college.

Understanding Psychotic Episodes

• Meggin shares insights into psychotic episodes, recounting her son's experiences with disorganized thinking, short attention spans, and altered perceptions.
• Meggin talks about moments of fear and precautions taken, shedding light on the complex relationship between mental illness and violence.
• The conversation delves into Meggin's struggles and moments of despair, emphasizing the importance of self-care.

Finding Strength and Coping Mechanisms

• Meggin discusses finding strength and coping mechanisms, from therapy to engaging in activities like oil painting, writing, and volunteering.
• Meggin shares insights into how her son's illness has affected her marriage, highlighting the partnership with her husband and their collaborative navigation of challenges.

Breaking the Silence and Building Support

• Addressing societal stigmas, Meggin encourages open conversations about mental health, touching on historical blame and the shift towards shared responsibility.
• Meggin provides an update on her son's current status, discussing his part-time job, challenges, and aspirations. She candidly shares struggles with maintaining hope and the ongoing need for better treatments.

NYU's On Track Family Support Group

• Meggin sheds light on her work with NYU's On Track Family Support Group, detailing her role as a family connector and the group's aim to support caregivers.
• Meggin highlights the collaborative nature of the mental health community, emphasizing the need for education and understanding among healthcare providers.

Final Thoughts and Encouragement

• In concluding the discussion, Meggin encourages openness and compassion in addressing mental health challenges, emphasizing interconnectedness and the need to eliminate shame.

Introduction: Join us for a powerful and insightful Just A Mom podcast episode as Susie sits down with the remarkable Meggin Rose. In this emotional conversation, Meggin candidly shares her journey as a parent navigating the complex terrain of mental health challenges within her family. From the early signs of her child's struggles to the hurdles of finding appropriate care during a pandemic, Meggin takes us through the heart-wrenching moments of hospitalization, medication challenges, and the delicate balance between advocacy and respecting autonomy.

Background and Family

• Meggin provides an overview of her family, residing on a farm outside Ithaca, New York, and touches on her son's mental health struggles during high school.

Early Signs and Challenges

• Meggin reflects on the early signs of her child's mental health struggles, initially misattributed to typical adolescence. Challenges escalated during college, leading to serious mental health issues.

Hospitalization and Treatment

• Meggin shares the pivotal role of a compassionate psychiatric nurse in securing voluntary hospitalization. The family's connection with OnTrack New York and challenges with medication management are discussed.

Medication Challenges and Advocacy

• Meggin discusses the emotional roller coaster of medication changes, highlighting challenges with side effects, non-compliance, and the balance between mental health treatment and autonomy.

Involuntary Hospitalization Challenges

• Meggin advocates for changing standards for involuntary hospitalization in psychotic cases, emphasizing the need for a flexible approach.

Parental Feelings and Support

• Meggin opens up about intense parental emotions and the importance of seeking support, emphasizing advocacy and trust-building.

Advocacy and Fierce Advocacy Skills

• The discussion covers Meggin's advocacy within the mental health care system, addressing challenges and emphasizing the need for family support.

Join us in Part Two to hear more about how:

• Psychotic episodes can vary in symptoms and severity, and it is important to seek professional help for diagnosis and treatment.
• The impact of mental illness extends to the entire family, and support and understanding are essential for siblings and grandchildren.
• Coping and self-care are vital for caregivers, and finding joy in small moments can provide respite from the challenges.
• Marriages can be affected by the stress of caring for a loved one with mental illness, but open communication and support can help navigate the difficulties.
• Sharing the journey with others who have similar experiences can provide valuable support and understanding.
• While hope for the future may fluctuate, advancements in research and treatment offer potential for improved outcomes.
• Access to appropriate medications and treatment is crucial, and ongoing research is needed to develop more effective options.
• Anosognosia, the lack of awareness of one's mental illness, can complicate treatment and adherence to medication.

Pandemic's Impact on Eating Disorders:

• Isolation during the pandemic contributed to eating disorders.
• Increase in social media use, body dissatisfaction, and comparison.
• Food insecurity, anxiety, grief, and loss as triggering factors.

Factors Contributing to Eating Disorders:

• Social media's role in body image dissatisfaction.
• Challenging myths about who can have an eating disorder.
• Awareness efforts lead to increased diagnoses.

Populations at Higher Risk:

• Elevated risk for those identifying as female.
• LGBTQ+ community, victims of weight stigma, and those feeling unsafe at heightened risk.

Difference Between Eating Disorders and Disordered Eating:

• Eating disorders as complex psychiatric disorders.
• Disordered eating exists on a spectrum, ranging from clinical disorders to healthy relationships with food.

Common Eating Disorder Protective Factors:

• Avoiding dieting behaviors, promoting body acceptance.
• Encouraging a healthy relationship with food beyond fuel.
• Breaking down scarcity mindset and fostering body diversity awareness.

Promoting Healthy Attitudes in Children:

• Importance of language around food and body image.
• Teaching that all bodies come in different shapes and sizes.
• Encouraging connection with body signals and cues.

Recognizing Patterns of Emotional Eating:

• Differentiating between occasional comfort eating and problematic patterns.
• Suggesting additional coping tools beyond food.

Signs of Eating Disorders:

• Intense dissatisfaction with body image.
• Increased isolation and anxiety around food.
• Preoccupation with ingredients, calories, or cooking without personal consumption.
• Presence of depression, rigid thinking, and elevated suicide risk.
• Acknowledgment that everyone may experience some form of disordered thoughts or behaviors regarding food and body image.
• Dr. DeCaro discusses common signs of eating disorders, emphasizing hyper-focus on food and weight.

Preventing Eating Disorders:

• Strategies and protective factors are explored, challenging societal norms and promoting holistic health.
• The importance of prioritizing mental health and normalizing mental health treatment is highlighted.
• Dr. DeCaro introduces a transdiagnostic approach, emphasizing a multidisciplinary team.

Levels of Care at Renfrew Center:

• Overview of residential, day treatment, intensive outpatient programming (IOP), and outpatient care.
• Addressing the affordability of treatment and Renfrew Center's acceptance of insurance plans.
• Dr. DeCaro hints at a future episode focusing on practical ways parents can help children with a healthy relationship with food.
• The episode concludes with gratitude from Susie and Dr. DeCaro for the informative discussion on eating disorders and the importance of mental health care accessibility.

School Journey:

• Will details his transition from Shenandoah Conservatory to Mid-American University, studying acting and directing, and anticipated graduation next year.
• Will reflects on his time at TCU, the decision to transfer to Shenandoah, and the challenges he faced with anxiety and social circles.

Shenandoah Experience:

• Will discusses feeling isolated and the impact on his mental health.
• Will candidly opens up about his ongoing mental health struggles, highlighting that transferring to Shenandoah didn't eliminate the challenges.

Support and Intervention:

• Susie intervenes after Will expresses depression, ensuring his safety and exploring therapy and medication adjustments.
• Will's psychiatrist increases his dosage to address current circumstances, emphasizing the importance of medication adjustments.

Loneliness and Isolation:

• Despite a busy schedule, Will shares his experience of loneliness, challenges with roommates, and feeling like an outsider.
• Will discusses challenges in classes, rehearsals, and breaking into established relationships as a "freshman sophomore."

Emergency Visit:

• Susie narrates the decision to fly Will home during a difficult month, emphasizing the difference between FaceTime and in-person observations.
• Will contemplates alternatives to going back to school, expressing determination not to give up and considering job options.

Drive Back Home:

• The 16.5-hour drive home reflects on Will's hesitation to return to Shenandoah, navigating a challenging storm, and the importance of being together.
• Will shares positive aspects of the summer back home, acknowledging the internal struggle of giving college another try.

Decision to Return to Shenandoah:

• Family discussions lead to the decision to encourage another try, emphasizing the importance of auditions and a new class.
• Will gets callbacks for several shows at Shenandoah, receiving positive feedback from industry professional professors.
• Susie praises Will's lead role as the only non-senior cast, highlighting his experience playing dark characters.

Challenges Faced:

• Will reflect on challenges during the rehearsal and performance period, discussing the disconnect between personal values and the adaptation.

Closing Thoughts:

• Susie summarizes Will's journey from struggles to returning to Shenandoah, teases upcoming episodes, and expresses gratitude for Will's openness.
• Susie asks Will about mental health preparations, leading to discussions on counseling as a couple, premarital counseling, and planning.
• Will discusses planning with fiancée Kayley, seeking advice from experienced couples, and staying flexible.

Therapy and Professional Support:

• Susie emphasizes Will's ongoing medication and regular psychiatrist visits, recognizing the need for professional help.
• Will discusses ongoing therapy with personal therapist Dana Dahl, encouraging everyone to benefit from therapy.
• Will emphasizes the importance of being proactive and seeking support, acknowledging that mental health challenges require ongoing effort.

Support System:

• Will describes reaching out to his wife, parents, and therapist if needed, emphasizing the importance of a united front.
• Discussions highlight the reality of ups and downs in every marriage, with Will emphasizing the importance of a positive mindset.
• Will seeks advice from experienced couples, recognizing their wisdom and acknowledging ongoing struggles with depression.

Acknowledging Personal Growth:

• Despite ongoing challenges, Will acknowledges personal growth and positive changes, emphasizing the non-linear nature of the mental health journey.
• Recap of "The Brightest It's Ever Been":
• Susie recaps "The Brightest It's Ever Been," a play about anxiety, sharing its impact and plans for a regional tour.

Fundraising Opportunity:

• A fundraising The Culture House link (designate Balladeer Theatre Company) is mentioned for supporting the regional tour, encouraging contributions from those interested in mental health and theater.
• Susie shares her impact from the play, urging listeners to attend when it tours and acknowledging bias as the director.

Encouragement and Gratitude:

• Susie expresses gratitude for Will's openness, encourages listeners, and emphasizes the non-linear nature of mental health journeys.
• Susie mentions potential future updates from Will, thanks listeners for their support, and appreciates Will for the conversation.
• Closing remarks express gratitude, anticipation for future episodes, and thanks to the listeners for their support.

Introduction: In this insightful episode, Karen and Kathleen, integral members of the resilient Harnish family, join Susie on the Just A Mom Podcast. Co-authors of the impactful book "Remarkably Resilient," the three sisters delve into their experiences, upbringing, and the profound motivation driving the creation of the Remarkably Resilient program. From traumatic discoveries to launching a nationwide initiative, this conversation explores the neuroscience of trauma, coping mechanisms, and the transformative power of resilience.

Background and Introduction:

• 
  Karen and Kathleen introduce their family background, authors of "Remarkably Resilient," exploring their upbringing and the motivation behind the program.
• 
  Kathleen discovered adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) in 2017, leading to a realization about childhood trauma and its impact on mental and physical health.

Remarkably Resilient Program:

• 
  Kathleen and Karen discuss launching the program based on their book, aiming to share their story, discuss trauma neuroscience, and build resilience.
• 
  Turning point moments for Kathleen and Karen, highlighting their resilience and coping mechanisms in adulthood.

Impact of Trauma on Health:

• 
  Discussion on ACEs' impact on mental and physical health, sharing the sisters' experiences and positive counterbalances.
• 
  Susie empathizes with the sisters, acknowledging the lifelong impact of trauma and discussing the challenges faced by survivors.
• 
  Delving into the neurobiology of trauma, stress responses, and the importance of addressing trauma for well-being.
• 
  Kathleen and Karen share their survival journeys, emphasizing the importance of boundaries and self-regulation.

Empathy and Understanding:

• 
  Susie expresses understanding for the sisters' experiences, highlighting the need to break the silence around trauma.

Difficult Summer and Impact on Kathleen:

• 
  Challenges faced by Kathleen and Karen during a difficult summer led to a purpose-driven focus on helping others.

Interview Challenges:

• 
  Anecdote about challenges in discussing sensitive topics on mainstream media.

Sharing Their Experience and Helping Others:

• 
  Emphasis on not staying silent, motivation to help others, and the importance of shedding light on often hidden topics.

Dysregulation and Coping Mechanisms:

• 
  Introduction to dysregulation, recognizing triggers, and employing regulating techniques.
• 
  Discussion on emotional regulation, mindfulness activities, and preventing impulsive reactions.
• 
  Exploration of individual coping mechanisms during childhood, including dissociation and the therapeutic use of work.
• 
  Challenges in remembering traumatic experiences, differences in coping mechanisms, and the impact of therapy.
• 
  Acknowledgment of coping mechanisms and the role of therapists in the healing process.

Four Rs of Resilience:

• 
  Introduction to the Four Rs of Resilience: Relationships, Regulation, Response, Recovery, and Their Significance.
• 
  Launching Remarkably Resilient Together with Johnson County Mental Health Center, emphasizing community awareness and resources.

Supporting Organizations:

• 
  Kathleen and Karen express their dream of widespread adoption, mentioning collaboration with schools and corporate support.
• 
  Susie encourages engagement with local providers, schools, and corporations to support well-being.

Program Launch and Availability:

• 
  Details on the program launch and material availability through remarkably-resilient.com, emphasizing donation for access.
• 
  Discussion on donations and accessing materials, providing instructions for support outside Johnson County.
• 
  Availability of information on various platforms, including Google and remarkably-resilient.com.
• 
  Susie urges listeners to explore and support the program, highlighting its universal benefits.

Self-Care Discussion:

• 
  Kathleen shares personal experiences of trauma and emphasizes the impact of self-care on resilience and well-being.
• 
  Karen discusses the transformative impact of prioritizing self-care, reflecting on personal experiences.
• 
  Susie expresses gratitude for sharing their story, praising Kathleen and Karen for resilience, and guests express appreciation.

Introduction: The last episode of the Just a Mom podcast captures the life story of Kansas City native Wesley Hamilton.  The episode explores Wesley's mental struggles, including battles with depression, hopelessness, and suicidal thoughts amid a lack of mental health support. Wesley Hamilton's impactful foundation, "Disabled But Not Really," takes center stage in this episode. Founded to empower individuals with disabilities, the foundation prioritizes fitness, identity, and confidence-building. Offering a wellness center with specialized programs, Wesley ensures a space where physical disabilities don't limit self-perception and fitness goals. The foundation tackles the issue of inaccessible gyms by providing an inclusive environment with adaptive equipment and accessible facilities.

Disabled But Not Really Foundation:

• 
  Wesley founded the "Disabled But Not Really Foundation" to empower individuals with disabilities, focusing on fitness, identity, and building confidence.
• 
  The foundation offers a wellness center with specialized programs to help individuals with physical disabilities improve their self-perception and fitness.
• 
  Wesley's own experiences in inaccessible gyms and the lack of awareness in society influenced his approach to creating an inclusive space at his wellness center.
• 
  The center is equipped with adaptive equipment, widened doors, and accessible facilities, striving to serve individuals with various challenges and disabilities.
• 
  The foundation's programs not only focus on physical fitness but also on helping individuals with disabilities regain their sense of identity and confidence.
• 
  Wesley's ultimate goal is to ensure that people of all abilities feel welcomed, empowered, and served by providing adaptive equipment and inclusive facilities.

Wesley's Efforts for Accessibility:

• 
  Wesley discusses the importance of creating accessible public spaces for individuals with disabilities.
• 
  His foundation, Disabled But Not Really, aims to eliminate barriers in these spaces, allowing people to focus on their goals.

Becoming a TV Star:

• 
  Wesley talks about his unexpected experience of being featured on "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy."
• 
  Emphasizes the authenticity of the show and his continued friendship and collaboration with the cast.

Family Support:

• 
  Wesley acknowledges the crucial role of his mother and daughter in his recovery and healing.
• 
  Highlights the strength and support of his mother during his journey.

Words of Advice:

• 
  Wesley's advice to listeners revolves around self-awareness, encouraging them to know themselves.
• 
  He emphasizes that self-awareness is key to shaping one's reality.

Mental Health Advocacy:

• 
  Wesley shares his growing awareness of mental health issues, especially within marginalized communities.
• 
  Discusses the importance of addressing mental health and seeking help when needed.

Self-Care:

• 
  Wesley outlines his self-care routine, which includes affirmations, morning gratitude, exercise, a healthy diet, journaling, and having a venting person and a confidant.

Challenges in Accessing Mental Health Services:

• 
  Wesley highlights the lack of mental health services and awareness in marginalized communities.
• 
  Advocates for a more holistic approach to healthcare.

The Value of Life:

• 
  Wesley talks about how confidence in oneself allows for a fulfilling life, regardless of physical condition.
• 
  Emphasizes the importance of valuing life and maintaining a positive mindset.

Acknowledgment of One's Past:

• 
  Wesley appreciates the depth of the conversation and the significance of understanding one's past to appreciate personal growth.

Gratitude and Inspiration:

• 
  The episode concludes with mutual appreciation, with Susie commending Wesley for his inspirational journey and positive impact through his foundation and advocacy.

Background and Upbringing

• 
  Wesley describes his upbringing as a product of his environment.
• 
  Grew up in a single-parent home without a father figure during crucial adolescent stages.
• 
  Struggled with self-esteem, lacked positive role models, and felt the impact of the inner city environment.
• 
  Admits to being influenced by older figures in the streets and developing a negative mindset.
• 
  Believed he wouldn't live past 21 due to societal expectations for young black men.
• 
  Highlights the challenges of growing up in an environment that limited his perspective.

Living Recklessly and Seeking Change

• 
  Discusses the allure of the streets, drug dealers, and the desire for a better life.
• 
  Emphasizes the lack of positive influences and role models, leading to a misguided pursuit of success.
• 
  Reflects on his disregard for education despite having potential and smart capabilities.
• 
  Talks about dropping out of school, attempting to change his life through Job Corps, and facing challenges.
• 
  Expresses the impact of poverty and the absence of exposure to life outside his community.
• 
  Discusses the negative mindset, feeling trapped, and the influence of media representations.

Becoming a Father and Pivotal Moment

• 
  Becoming a father at 22 and gaining full custody of his daughter at 23.
• 
  Highlights the unexpected shift in responsibility and the desire to be a better father.
• 
  Recounts a verbal altercation at 24 that resulted in a life-changing event.
• 
  Describes being shot twice, instantly paralyzed from the waist down.
• 
  Shares the immediate realization of the severity of the situation and the surreal experience.
• 
  Recalls the moments after being shot, the lack of hope, and the acceptance of impending death.

Living with Depression and Hopelessness 

• 
  Reflects on the possibility of living a life in depression and hopelessness.
• 
  Acknowledges the lack of hope and role models contributing to a sense of resignation.

Mental Struggles

• 
  Wesley reflects on his mental state before the shooting, feeling hopeless and battling low self-esteem, influenced by societal judgment and a lack of empowerment.

Facing Reality

• 
  Wesley discusses the early days of realizing he was paralyzed, the initial hope of a miraculous recovery, and the emotional toll of the uncertainty during the recovery process.
• 
  Exploration of Wesley's loss of hope and faith after learning about the permanence of his condition, the absence of positive representations of people with disabilities in society, and his struggle with self-love and acceptance amid societal judgments.

Suicidal Thoughts and Lack of Mental Health Support

• 
  Wesley opens up about contemplating suicide, the struggle of feeling like a victim after surviving a violent incident, and the lack of mental health support for individuals with disabilities, particularly in the black community.
• 
  Surprising revelation: Wesley did not receive counseling or therapy during his recovery. Discussion on the systemic issue of mental health support for black individuals with disabilities and the layers of challenges in addressing mental health in marginalized communities.

Self-Healing Journey

• 
  Wesley's self-healing journey the role of food in his mental recovery, overcoming depression through dietary changes, and the challenges faced during bed rest and their impact on mental health.
• 
  The importance of protein and nutrition in Wesley's recovery, the lack of awareness about proper nutrition in marginalized communities, and Wesley's decision to pursue education in dietetics to transform his life.
• 
  Wesley's eagerness to learn and change his perspective on life, the revelation of the value of food and its impact on well-being, and applying newfound knowledge to his diet and seeing positive results.

Coming Up:

In the next part of the series, we will explore Wesley's continued transformation, his advocacy work, and the valuable lessons he has learned from his remarkable journey.

Introduction: In this "Just A Mom" podcast episode, Susie engages with guest Rennie McKinney, Administrative Director of Behavioral Health Services at Advent Health Shawnee Mission. They delve into the evolving landscape of mental health, influenced by reduced stigma, younger generations' openness, and the media's role.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health is highlighted, with a focus on enduring effects and a call for increased mental health awareness.

Rennie discusses Advent Health's services, including inpatient units, assessment centers, and expansion plans. They touch on reduced licensing requirements for mental health professionals and introduce the 988 crisis helpline for immediate support.

The episode concludes with a strong message: seeking help is a sign of strength, and it's vital to break the stigma around mental health.

About Rennie McKinney:

• Rennie describes her role as the leader of the behavioral health service line at Advent Health and her journey in the mental health field.

Acknowledging Rennie’s Impact:

• The host acknowledges Rennie's impact on the community and their shared experiences on panels.

Importance of Sharing Information:

• Rennie emphasizes the importance of sharing information and stories for the benefit of others.

Call to Action:

• Both the host and Rennie stress the need for more people to join their efforts in addressing mental health issues.

Changing Landscape of Mental Health:

• The discussion shifts to the increasing demand for mental health treatment and support.
• Factors contributing to this change are mentioned.

Discussion on Changing Mental Health Landscape:

• The conversation revolves around the changing landscape of mental health, including reduced stigma.
• The impact of external pressures on mental health recognition is discussed.

Media's Role in Promoting Mental Health:

• The podcast host acknowledges the role of media outlets in promoting mental health awareness.

Younger Generations Leading the Way:

• The younger generations' role in normalizing mental health discussions is highlighted.
• The impact of celebrities openly discussing mental health is mentioned.

Pandemic's Impact on Mental Health:

• The impact of the pandemic on mental health is discussed.

Discussion on the Class of 2023:

• The host highlights the unique experiences of the class of 2023 and the impact of the pandemic on students.

Impact of the Pandemic on Different Age Groups:

• Personal experiences and observations regarding the pandemic's impact on different age groups are shared.

Long-Term Ramifications of the Pandemic:

• The conversation underscores the long-term ramifications of the pandemic on mental health.

Overview of Services Provided by Advent Health:

• An overview of mental health services provided by Advent Health is given.
• The existence of an intensive outpatient program is teased, with further details to come.

Description of Mental Health Programs:

• An overview of different mental health programs is provided.

Introduction to Outpatient Program:

• The guest introduced the outpatient program and its high demand.

Age Range and Expansion:

• The age range served by the outpatient program is mentioned.

Challenges Faced by Hospitals Closing Inpatient Units:

• The host raises the issue of hospitals closing inpatient psychiatric units.
• Advocacy for increased reimbursement rates is emphasized.

Acknowledgment of Quality Mental Health Care:

• The host expresses appreciation for the mental health care provided by Advent Health.
• The importance of seeking help is underlined.

The Advent of an Unexpected Event:

• The conversation is interrupted by a power outage, creating a unique moment.

Highlighting the Assessment Center:

• The guest explains the role of the assessment center and its importance.

Reducing Licensing Requirements for Mental Health Professionals:

• The host mentions the guest's involvement in advocating for reduced licensing requirements for mental health professionals.

Introduction to the 988 Crisis Helpline:

• The conversation shifts to the 988 crisis helpline.

Expanding Mental Health Services:

• The guest discusses the expansion of mental health services.

Substance Abuse Program:

• The presence of a substance abuse program is discussed.

Final Thoughts and Encouragement:

• The guest encourages listeners not to underestimate what someone is going through.
• The importance of seeking help is underscored.

Closing Remarks:

• The host expresses gratitude for the guest's expertise and advocacy for mental health.

Introduction: In the first part of this episode, we've delved deeply into Coach Jareem Dowling's life, uncovering a powerful journey filled with moments of reflection, tragedy, and resilience. Coach Dowling's story underscores the significance of mental health awareness and the unwavering support of a community, both in times of triumph and struggle.

Admission to a Mental Hospital

• At the suggestion of his brother and medical professionals, Jareem is admitted to a mental hospital. He shares his initial fears and experiences within the hospital.
• He discusses scheduled activities and classes designed to help residents cope with their mental health challenges.

Discovering Common Ground

• Jareem shares his surprise at discovering fellow residents, including NFL players, doctors, and judges, seeking help for their mental health.
• This revelation fosters camaraderie and reduces feelings of isolation.

The Turning Point

• Despite initially wanting to leave the mental hospital, Jareem's condition deteriorates after discharge. He discusses his decision to accept help offered by mental health professionals.

Coping Mechanisms and Openness About Mental Health

• Jareem Dowling discusses using exercises and coping mechanisms to manage his mental health.
• He emphasizes his openness about mental health and how it allows him to make choices that promote well-being.

The Ongoing Journey of Mental Health

• Jareem highlights the importance of continuous efforts in mental health recovery.
• He reflects on accumulating hospital bills during his struggle with mental health.

The Power of a Support System

• Jareem acknowledges the role of friends and family in supporting him during difficult times.

Progress in Addressing Mental Health

• The conversation explores progress in addressing mental health in the medical community and society.

Using Personal Experiences to Help Others

• Jareem shares how he uses his personal experiences to connect with his players and educate them about mental health.

Pressure on Student-Athletes and Mental Health Support

• The pressure on student-athletes and the importance of mental health support are discussed, especially in the context of collegiate sports and the introduction of NIL.

Navigating the Challenges of a Basketball Career

• Coach Reem discusses the often-overlooked side of pursuing a career in basketball.
• He highlights the importance of recognizing the mental toll that comes with pursuing a basketball career and the need for long-term well-being.

Preparing Athletes for Life Beyond Basketball

• The focus shifts to preparing young athletes for life after their sports careers.
• Coach Reem's approach of nurturing players to become good, productive citizens is emphasized.
• The role of Coach Tang and the staff in supporting players is discussed.

The Importance of Kindness and Empathy

• The significance of kindness and empathy is highlighted.
• They discuss the three-times rule and the impact of small acts of kindness.

Not Judging Happiness Based on Smiles

• Coach Reem dispels the misconception of equating smiles with happiness.
• He shares a personal story about his brother, emphasizing the importance of genuinely asking how someone is doing.

Seeking Therapy and Overcoming Stigma

• The conversation touches on the stigma associated with seeking therapy.
• Coach Reem admits his initial reluctance to attend therapy sessions but reveals how it has become a safe space for him.

Focusing on Relationships and Kindness

• The focus shifts to the importance of nurturing relationships with good-hearted individuals.
• Coach Reem expresses his gratitude for the many people who have supported him.

Final Thoughts and Gratitude

• The episode concludes with Coach Reem expressing gratitude to Susie for creating a platform to share his story and raise awareness about mental health.
• Susie reciprocates the gratitude and looks forward to meeting Coach Reem in person.

Introduction: 
In this episode of the "Just A Mom" podcast, Coach Jareem Dowling's life journey is explored, focusing on his coaching career at Kansas State University and the loss of his brother, Leo. The conversation underscores the importance of mental health awareness and community support blending personal and professional experiences.

Reflecting on the Past

• Coach Dowling shares memories of his late brother Leo, emphasizing Leo's positive impact on the community, including his involvement in youth sports and his love for Adidas.
• He recalls the sudden and shocking loss of his brother.

Tragic News

• Coach Dowling remembers the day he received the heartbreaking call at the hospital, informing him of his brother's passing.
• He describes his initial shock and the overwhelming grief that followed.
• RJ, a player on Coach Dowling's team, offered invaluable support during this difficult time.

Grief and Loss

• Susie and Jareem discuss the painful experience of losing a loved one, focusing on Jareem's brother. They highlight the emotional toll and shock of such news.
• Jareem's sense of responsibility and the emotional impact on his family are discussed.

Mental Health Struggles

• Jareem opens up about his mental health struggles, including his initial reluctance to seek therapy. He describes feeling overwhelmed, experiencing sleep issues, and thoughts of self-harm.
• He reaches out to friends and loved ones for support and eventually confides in his guardian and a doctor.

Triggers

• Jareem reveals that his mental health struggles started a year before the most challenging period, triggered by colors and experiences.
• He shares his experiences during hospital visits and the importance of medical professionals taking his mental state seriously.

Supportive Friends

• Friends and colleagues, including Coach Tang and Dr. Hunter Taylor, provide vital support by checking on Jareem, ensuring he eats, and being there during challenging times.
• Jareem emphasizes the profound impact of having caring individuals by his side, supporting him through his mental health journey.

Return to the Same Hospital

• After an initial hospital visit, Jareem returns to the same hospital due to ongoing mental health struggles, feeling unsupported during the discharge.
• He reflects on a heartwarming moment when his brother George Tolson flies from Baltimore to support him.

Returning to Professional Responsibilities

• The segment touches upon Jareem's professional responsibilities as a college coach and the pressure to maintain normalcy while dealing with mental health issues.
• Jareem reaches out to his trainer, for support during times when he's unable to drive due to insomnia and anxiety.
• Coach Tang notices the signs of Jareem's anxiety and expresses concern about his mental state.

In the next part of this episode, we will follow Jareem's journey through admission to a mental hospital, where he faced fears and uncertainties while undergoing transformative experiences. This pivotal moment in his story marked the turning point toward recovery, emphasizing the importance of seeking professional help and understanding one's mental health.

We'll also explore coping mechanisms and the ongoing path of mental health recovery. Coach Dowling's story is a testament to the power of a strong support system, the progress made in addressing mental health, and the impact of personal experiences on helping others.

Join us in the next episode as we continue to uncover Coach Jareem Dowling's remarkable journey and insights into mental health, resilience, and the power of community.

The Article That Made a Difference:

• Brenda discusses the title of her article, "My Daughter Told Me She Wanted to Die I Gave Her Permission to End It," and how it drew attention.
• Brenda explains her struggle to get the article published and the importance of sharing stories about mental health.
• The article resonated with numerous readers who were also dealing with similar challenges but not openly discussing them.

Faith's Early Mental Health Journey:

• Faith shares her early experiences with mental health challenges, beginning as early as kindergarten.
• Her separation from her twin brother in kindergarten triggered feelings of abandonment and a belief that she was simultaneously "too much and not enough."
• Faith describes her first expression of suicidal thoughts at the age of nine.

Middle School Challenges:

• Faith's mental health struggles intensified during middle school, leading to self-harm and a need for validation.
• She discusses how sexting and self-harm were intertwined and her mother, Brenda's, response to her behavior.
• Brenda recalls her perspective as a parent during these challenging times, experiencing shame and confusion.

Friendship and Betrayal:

• Faith opens up about her friendship with a group of girls who also engaged in self-harm.
• After Faith's mother alerted their parents about their self-harming, the girls turned against Faith, and her friends stopped speaking to her.
• Faith recounts the social isolation and betrayal she felt in the aftermath of her mother's actions.

Seeking Help:

• Brenda and Faith discuss the critical importance of communication between parents and children regarding mental health.
• Brenda shares the moment she discovered Faith's self-harming and the supportive approach she took.
• Faith emphasizes the significance of open communication and her mother's positive response.

The Path to Recovery:

• Faith and Brenda reflect on Faith's journey toward recovery.
• Brenda acknowledges that understanding the role of mental illness was challenging at times.
• They emphasize the importance of not dealing with these challenges alone and building a support network.

Context Setting:

• The conversation continues between Faith Ferber, Brenda, and Susie Gurley as they delve into their experiences with Faith's struggles and Brenda's emotional journey.

Faith's Eighth Grade Experience:

• Faith discusses how her life in eighth grade took a significant toll on her mental health. Her distress reached a point where she contemplated suicide.
• She opens up about her hospitalization for suicidal ideation during this time, though it didn't eliminate her suicidal thoughts.

Turning Point in Hawaii:

• Faith's parents sent her to an outdoor behavioral health program in Hawaii, where she lived on an organic farm. This experience was transformative for her as she learned to care for the land, plants, and, in turn, herself. It marked the first time she felt she had some worth and could imagine loving and valuing herself.

Enrolling in a Boarding School:

• Faith shares how she decided to attend an all-girls boarding school in Connecticut, seeking a fresh start. The school offered a required class on social justice, which ignited Faith's passion for activism.

Coming Out as Gay:

• At 16, Faith came out as gay while attending the boarding school. She noticed that the school had different rules for gay and straight students, leading her to confront the issue and fight for equal treatment.

Challenges and Rule Breaking:

• Faith's frustration with the school's rules led her to break a major school rule related to sexual activity. This incident made her feel like she was making her life worse.
• A further misstep, involving an older girl, who was in college, and Faith's attempt to stay at her house after texting her advisor about feeling suicidal, led to drastic consequences.

Psychiatric Hospitalization:

• Faith's text about feeling suicidal triggered a response that resulted in her being sent to a psychiatric hospital. Her mother, Brenda, had to fly to Connecticut to pick her up, and Faith was dismissed from the school due to liability concerns.

Return to an Unchanged Environment:

• Faith returned to the same community she had left in eighth grade, where people had not changed, and she felt like she was still the same person from eighth grade. This intensified her depression and suicidal thoughts.

Conversations about Suicide:

• Brenda shares the pivotal moment when Faith told her that she wanted to die by suicide. Brenda recounts their emotional conversation and how it ultimately led to an agreement that, if all else failed, Faith could choose that path. She discusses how this revelation was like a wake-up call for her.

Safety Measures:

• Brenda mentions that if a gun were present in their house, it would have been an unsafe conversation to have. She emphasizes the importance of keeping a gun out of a household with a mentally ill person.

Faith's Perspective:

• Faith admits that, at the time, the validation she received from her mother didn't make her feel hopeful that things would get better. Instead, it felt like a ticket out that allowed her to contemplate different treatments.

Exploring Crisis Management:

• Susie Gurley and Brenda delve into a critical topic: how to approach conversations with a loved one who might be contemplating suicide. Brenda shares insights on how her perspective has evolved and what she wishes she knew back then.

The Conversation You Wish You Had:

• Brenda reveals that if she could go back in time to when Faith was struggling, she would have asked her point-blank questions about her suicidal thoughts, plans, and means of carrying them out. The goal would be to engage in open, non-judgmental dialogue to assess the level of risk and create a safety plan.

Addressing the Stigma:

• The conversation highlights the stigma surrounding suicide and mental illness, which can make it difficult for people to discuss the topic openly. Faith emphasizes that asking someone if they're thinking about suicide does not increase the risk; it's essential to engage in these conversations.

Changing the Narrative:

• Brenda emphasizes the need to change the stigma surrounding mental illness. She notes how people often question why something like this happens to families like hers, as if mental illness has selective criteria.

Different Approaches to Treatment:

<...

Beth tells listeners that parents need to have open communication, and if you feel that something is wrong with your child you need to reach out for help. While Beth grieves the loss of her son every day, she is grateful for the last year and a half of his life and sees Zach every day in his daughter, Kinley.

I am so grateful that Kristina was open to having a conversation for The Just A Mom podcast. In this episode, Kristina talks about the beginnings of Harry’s mental illness at a young age and all the things she did to help him. We discuss the tremendous pressure on student athletes, particularly high-profile ones. Kristina also shares about the day she received the call that Harry was contemplating suicide and rushing from Georgia to Ohio to be with him, and how difficult it was to leave him there after six weeks. 

https://www.granthalliburton.org/calendar/wlhyt-att7a-dpbpm) on September 28, 2023. In this episode, Sonya Parker Goode talks about the work of the Foundation as well as “When Life Hands You Teenagers.” Early bird registration ends August 31, so register today and come see me at the resource tables!

Make sure you visit the Grant Halliburton Foundation website (

https://www.granthalliburton.org/) to learn about their programs, donate or volunteer. 

TheraPlay

PCIT - Parent-Child Interaction Therapy

What is CBT Therapy?

What is EMDR?

Accelerated Resolution Therapy

Problematic Sexual Behavior Therapy 

ABA Therapy 

Neurofeedback Therapy 

 "safe room" - sometimes called a seclusion room

- neuro-psych testing

- Thompson Center (Columbia, MO)

- "Alternative School" - this is a school within a public school district, which is still considered free and public schooling, but has increased levels of services for students with specific accommodations and high levels of need.

- pharmacogenetic testing 

- FosterAdopt Connect

- CASA

PCIT - Parent-Child Interaction Therapy

What is CBT Therapy?

What is EMDR?

Accelerated Resolution Therapy

Problematic Sexual Behavior Therapy 

ABA Therapy 

Neurofeedback Therapy 

 "safe room" - sometimes called a seclusion room

- neuro-psych testing

- Thompson Center (Columbia, MO)

- "Alternative School" - this is a school within a public school district, which is still considered free and public schooling but has increased levels of services for students with specific accommodations and high levels of need.

- pharmacogenetic testing 

- FosterAdopt Connect

- CASA

Dr. Caroline Danda (http://www.carolinedanda.com/) is a licensed clinical psychologist with specialized training in children and adolescents and health conditions. Stephanie credits Dr. Danda and her work with Stephanie’s family in the transformation of their household. 

This episode is chock full of challenges and hope and reminds us that people with special needs have feelings, too. Dr. Danda developed The Invisible Riptide with Carron Montgomery to create resources to help fill in the gaps because so many parents don’t know what to do (www.theinvisibleriptide.org).

No matter where you live, I promise you will find this episode informative and encouraging. These two women are passionate about helping people, and their enthusiasm for doing so is contagious. If you do not have such robust county mental health services in your area, or you are unaware of what your county offers, I encourage you to listen to this episode and use it as a springboard for action in your own community.

https://tellmystory.org/our-programs/for-schools/.

As a certified addiction specialist, Dr. Barash gives a strong warning to parents. He is staunchly against the legalization of marijuana and warns parents about the dangers of kids mixing alcohol and antidepressants and the potential disastrous outcomes that could bring.

Ronda recounts the moment things changed when they realized her son had been hiding a fentanyl addiction for 31/2 years in college, the failed rehab stent, followed by a 2.5-year successful recovery journey. Ronda’s message to parents is this: addiction can happen to anyone.

Ronda’s son celebrates six years of recovery on May 21, five days after the release of this episode. Sam has turned to extreme sports in his recovery, is partnering with SAFE (Stop the Addiction Fatality Epidemic), and is competing in an Ironman race in Tulsa, OK, too. If you are so inclined, you can donate by clicking this link to support Sam’s efforts for SAFE ( https://www.safeproject.us/race/?fbclid=IwAR04Jh9XJWGFHVeL3ftt9HdObWb-i7-LF1uNr_VwcnCXKtgR7m7zY0AnXzg).

Ronda recently shared her story at a recovery group. You can watch that here:   https://online.brushfire.com/cor/recovery/wb8xm9yc5r

The Brightest It's Ever Been is an incredible portrayal of dealing with a mental illness.  Anxiety is an actual character in the play.  Unique and creative, The Brightest It's Ever Been helps audience members who have not personally struggled with mental illness truly understand what it must be like to do so.  In this episode, Will and Kayli talk about the challenge and rewards of writing, performing, directing, and producing a show like this. For more information about the show, see Brightest's Instagram or Facebook or The Father's Club's Instagram and Facebook. 

Listen as these remarkable leaders talk about the work they are doing to make systematic changes in regards to mental health in our local community.  For those who live outside of Johnson County, Kansas, you will want to listen as well—you may be inspired to start something similar in your community.

For those in Johnson County, all are invited to the Good Faith Network’s Nehemiah Assembly on May 2, 2023 at 6 pm at the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection. 

Sylvia and BJ also talk about their family foundations, Keep the Spark Alive (https://ktsa.org) and Shifting Gears for Reagan (https://shiftinggearsforregan.com/). These women and their families work tirelessly to end teen suicide in our community.

Dr. Quick refers to FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act), which parents and students should become familiar with before sending a student to college. He also suggests some resources like the Sanvello app (www.sanvello.com).

If you are interested in starting a Father’s Club in your area/school, please go to 

https://fathersclub.org.

In this episode, Danna Dahl, Licensed Clinical Marriage and Family Therapist and Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, shares invaluable information about how to find help, what kind of help your child might need and how to know you’re getting qualified help. Here are some helpful websites if you need to find a qualified therapist/counselor:

Psychology Today (https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists)-- the Therapist Locator through the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy (https://www.therapistlocator.net//), or through the American Association for Christian Counselors (https://connect.aacc.net/?search_type=distance). 

Danna also references Apria Healthcare but then realized later she said the wrong organization—it’s actually Acadia Healthcare (https://www.acadiahealthcare.com/programming-treatment/behavioral-health/).

Trevor was at the top of his profession, being named National Digital Principal of the Year in 2021, when, for the sake of his mental health, he made a significant career move to the world of E-Sports.  His passion for teaching and reaching kids through e-sports is inspiring, and he even gives us a glimpse into how e-sports can be a great activity for many kids.

Kristen’s story is one of fear, patience, endurance, love, and hope.  It’s also another example of how the mental health battle is a journey—more of a marathon than a sprint.  Kristin and her husband have gone to great lengths to help their son with his mental illness.  You will no doubt be both impacted and encouraged by their journey.  

Tourette Syndrome is a neurological disorder (https://tourette.org/), but often those with Tourette also battle mental illness.  Shana talks about the challenges of raising her son with Tourette syndrome and his accompanying mental health struggles.

Shana shares several valuable nuggets in this episode, my favorite of which is “You don’t have to wait until it’s crisis enough” to call 988.  988 is the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, and wants people to know that if you are concerned about someone, please call them.