Anxiety Sucks!

Welcome to the twelfth Takeover Episode of It's Okay to Feel!

2020 has been a crazy year to say the least, and in times like these, self-love and self-care are more important than ever. In this episode of It's Okay to Feel, Asha Bhattacharya discusses how we can implement self-love and true self-care into our daily lives. We learn how the power of putting our own needs first is more impactful in helping our peers and community, even when we feel like we need to make others happy. Asha also dives into the importance of positive self-talk in addition to allowing ourselves to be imperfect.  Sharing practical and tangible ways to apply self-love and true self-care everyday, Asha reminds us we can practice self-awareness through affirmations, journaling, and meditating.

In this episode, Asha talks about:

• The importance of prioritizing your needs 
• Letting go of the need to please other people 
• The power of speaking kindly to yourself
• Letting go of the need to be perfect 
• Self-affirmations
• Journaling
• Self-love meditations

Resources: 

• Meditative Apps: Calm, Headspace
• Asha's Instagram
• Asha's YouTube
• NAMI Orange County
• NAMI-OC's Instagram
• NAMI-OC's Teens and Young Adult's 
• NAMI-OC's Media Masterclass
• NAMI-OC's Peer Connector Program
• Crisis Line, Warmline, and Crisis Groups

Disclaimers:  It’s Okay To Feel is for informational/educational and/or entertainment purposes only and is not a substitute for medical or psychiatric advice, diagnosis, or treatment.  

It’s Okay to Feel is Funded by the Orange County Health Care Agency (OCHCA), Behavioral Health Services, Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. 

Welcome to the eleventh Takeover Episode of It's Okay to Feel!

On this episode of It's Okay to Feel Asha Bhattacharya shares three life-changing lessons she has learned throughout her mental health journey. She shares that living with mental illness is not easy. However, our podcast host believes that even the most negative situations can teach us the most life changing lessons. Join us as Asha shares with us the three most life changing lessons that she has learned on her journey. These lessons include the power of acceptance, the strength that comes with cultivating awareness, and the revolutionary change that happens when we challenge our negative thoughts.

In this episode, Asha talks about:

• The power of acceptance 
• Letting go of self-judgement 
• Cultivating self-awareness
• Challenging your thoughts  
• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Cultivating gratitude 

Resources: 

• Feeling Good by Dr. David Burns
• Asha's Instagram
• Asha's YouTube

Disclaimers:  It’s Okay To Feel is for informational/educational and/or entertainment purposes only and is not a substitute for medical or psychiatric advice, diagnosis, or treatment.  

It’s Okay to Feel is Funded by the Orange County Health Care Agency (OCHCA), Behavioral Health Services, Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. 

Welcome to the tenth Takeover Episode of It's Okay to Feel!

On this episode of It's Okay to Feel Asha Bhattacharya courageously shares her mental journey with us and motivates us to keep fighting. Starting from the age of four to a panic attack at the age of fifteen which led to her overall diagnosis. Through her journey and learned awareness she found her love for mental health. She touches on the values of therapy and educating ourselves. As an avid advocate for mental health awareness she volunteers as an In Our Own Voice presenter and WarmLine volunteer with NAMI Orange County since she was 15. She even has a YouTube channel where she creates wellness-based content to help her subscribers all across the globe. However, her journey to get to this point was not easy, yet she has been able to find the beauty through the pain.

In this episode, Asha talks about:

• Physical symptoms of anxiety 
• Overcoming the stigma of mental illness
• The benefits of going to therapy 
• How to reach out for help 
• Overcoming "dark" days
• The light at the end of the tunnel 

Resources: 

• Psychology Today
• Asha's Instagram
• Asha's YouTube

Disclaimers:  It’s Okay To Feel is for informational/educational and/or entertainment purposes only and is not a substitute for medical or psychiatric advice, diagnosis, or treatment.  

It’s Okay to Feel is Funded by the Orange County Health Care Agency (OCHCA), Behavioral Health Services, Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. 

Welcome to the ninth Takeover Episode of It's Okay to Feel!

This episode of It's Okay to Feel is guest-hosted by breast cancer survivor Mariam Tariq and her best friend Roxana Akbari. They are community activists in Orange County whose mission is to deconstruct society's barriers to mental health. Join their discussion on hope and healing as Roxana facilitates a meaningful conversation about the challenges Mariam faced and how she was able to not only cope, but thrive. 

This unique takeover episode is a feature of the NAMI-OC Media Masterclass which teaches teens and young adults the basics of podcasting and growing their social media presence.  Takeover episodes feature Media Masterclass students who want to start their own podcast.

In this episode, we talk about: 

•  Finding hope during a difficult time
• Making a change in the healthcare system
• The importance of mental health
• Being authentic in awkward conversations
• Self-reflection and self-care 
• Courage and vulnerability

Resources:

• Alliance for Proton Therapy Access
• American Cancer Society
• Nevertheless She Podcast Instagram (Coming Soon)
• NAMI-OC's Instagram
• NAMI-OC's Peer Connector Program
• NAMI Orange County
• Crisis Line, Warmline, and Crisis Groups

Disclaimers:  It’s Okay To Feel is for informational/educational and/or entertainment purposes only and is not a substitute for medical or psychiatric advice, diagnosis, or treatment.  

It’s Okay to Feel is Funded by the Orange County Health Care Agency (OCHCA), Behavioral Health Services, Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. 

Welcome to the eighth Takeover Episode of It's Okay to Feel!

This Takeover Episode of It's Okay to Feel is guest hosted by Roxana Akbari and Mariam Tariq, Orange County residents, community activists, and best friends, who discuss how they adapted to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, including how they've navigated safety and boundaries in their social lives and their journey towards growth and self-love at a time of sudden, difficult change.

In this episode, we talk about: 

•  Navigating relationships and communication during the COVID-19 pandemic
•  Speaking up for ourselves
•  Processing uncomfortable feelings
•  Boundaries
•  Emotional and physical safety
•  Self-reflection and self-care 
•  Courage and vulnerability

Resources:

• Talkspace Online Therapy
• Nevertheless She Podcast Instagram (Coming Soon)
• The Mindful Movement (Youtube Channel)
• Control Your Inner Critic and Stop Your Stinkin Thinkin 
• Mariam's email

Disclaimers:  It’s Okay To Feel is for informational/educational and/or entertainment purposes only and is not a substitute for medical or psychiatric advice, diagnosis, or treatment.  

It’s Okay to Feel is Funded by the Orange County Health Care Agency (OCHCA), Behavioral Health Services, Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. 

Welcome to the seventh Takeover Episode of It's Okay to Feel!

On this Takeover Episode of It’s Okay to Feel, Tazmeen Rashid joins us again  as she differentiates between what it means to be surviving versus living. She goes in great depth to how she personally feels she is surviving as a student, especially during the pandemic. As the episode progresses, Tazmeen explains what living life with a YOLO (you only live once) mentality can do to promote overall wellness. By taking advantage of this one life we have we learn to love ourselves and listen to our true desires, thus enabling a life worth living versus a life of survival. 

Our takeover host Tazmeen is a 19-year-old first-generation Pakistani-American college student pursuing a pre-medical education. She is extremely passionate about mental health and an advocate for Uyghur Muslims. She uses her experiences to highlight the toll expectations can take on one’s mental health.

This unique takeover episode is a feature of the NAMI-OC Media Masterclass which teaches teens and young adults the basics of podcasting and growing their social media presence.  Takeover episodes feature Media Masterclass students who want to start their own podcast.

In this episode, Tazmeen talks about:

• Explaining the difference between surviving and living
• The cycle of life
• Real-life checkboxes
• Is YOLO (You Only Live Once) overrated?
• Requirements of “living”
• And More!

Resources:

• Tazmeen Rashid’s Instagram 
• NAMI-OC's Instagram
• NAMI-OC’s Happy Hour 
• NAMI-OC's Peer Connector Program
• NAMI Orange County
• Crisis Line, Warmline, and Crisis Groups

Disclaimers:  It’s Okay To Feel is for informational/educational and/or entertainment purposes only and is not a substitute for medical or psychiatric advice, diagnosis, or treatment.  

It’s Okay to Feel is Funded by the Orange County Health Care Agency (OCHCA), Behavioral Health Services, Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. 

Welcome to the sixth Takeover Episode of It's Okay to Feel!

On this Takeover Episode of It’s Okay to Feel, Tazmeen Rashid discusses what expectations are and the sources of such pressures. She touches on familial roles and how societal and cultural expectations can increase anxiety, stress, and more. Tazmeen elaborates on why we should steer away from the expectations that do not align with our individual desires, thus allowing ourselves to explore. Throughout the episode she reminds us that there is power in following your own path and being true to your interests and curiosity. By perceiving ourselves as individuals and less of a group, we enable space to tap into our potential. 

Our takeover host Tazmeen is a 19-year-old first-generation Pakistani-American college student pursuing a pre-medical education. She is extremely passionate about mental health and an advocate for Uyghur Muslims. She uses her experiences to highlight the toll expectations can take on one’s mental health.

This unique takeover episode is a feature of the NAMI-OC Media Masterclass which teaches teens and young adults the basics of podcasting and growing their social media presence.  Takeover episodes feature Media Masterclass students who want to start their own podcast.

In this episode, Tazmeen talks about:

• Expectations as a student
• Pressure from family and society  
• Self-pity 
• Social media impact
• It is okay to feel overwhelmed  
• And More!

Resources:

• Tazmeen Rashid’s Instagram 
• SoCal Students for Uyghur Justice’s Instagram
• Lenox Hill
• NAMI-OC's Instagram
• NAMI-OC’s Happy Hour 
• NAMI-OC's Peer Connector Program
• NAMI Orange County
• Crisis Line, Warmline, and Crisis Groups

Disclaimers:  It’s Okay To Feel is for informational/educational and/or entertainment purposes only and is not a substitute for medical or psychiatric advice, diagnosis, or treatment.  

It’s Okay to Feel is Funded by the Orange County Health Care Agency (OCHCA), Behavioral Health Services, Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. 

Welcome to the fifth Takeover Episode of It's Okay to Feel!

On this Takeover Episode of It’s Okay to Feel, high school seniors Kara Chu and Lily Freeman dive into a discussion on the immense pressure that high school students face. They cover the struggles of their generation and how they are working towards overcoming them. They then transition to the impact that COVID-19 has had on the well-being of teens and how they are coping with the anxiety, stress, loss, and disappointment due to the pandemic. 

Our takeover co-host Kara is currently a senior and the ASB Student Government President of her high school. During these stressful and unprecedented pandemic times, Kara has dedicated herself to creating strong connections among students, faculty and the community. By launching all new school-wide virtual events, donation drives and a thriving Youtube channel with her amazing ASB. To put a smile on everyone’s faces, Kara created a multilingual PSA animation reposted by the Orange County Health Care Agency with the hope of making face masks less scary for young children in the COVID-19 Public Health Campaign. During quarantine, she has found new ways to prioritize self-care and pursue her passions. She enjoys making balloon animals, snacking on churros at Disneyland, and hanging out with her fun-loving friends and family!

Lily, our other co-host is currently the Student Government Vice President and a senior in high school. Experiencing both the ups and downs of high school throughout the past four years, she realized that bringing attention to the importance of mental health and self-compassion is severely lacking and especially needed during these times. She finds passion in advocating for these topics, aiming to find new outlets to facilitate these tough conversations regarding teen mental health. In her free time, she loves to spend time with her family and dogs, and plays the guitar to decompress! 

This unique takeover episode is a feature of the NAMI-OC Media Masterclass which teaches teens and young adults the basics of podcasting and growing their social media presence.  Takeover episodes feature Media Masterclass students who want to start their own podcast.

In this episode, Kara and Lily talk about:

• Academic pressure and the “Irvine Mentality”
• Not allowing grades to define us 
• COVID-19’s impact on teens
• Finding things we are passionate about 
• Sharing ways we reduce our stress  
• And More!

Resources:

• Student Guide to Surviving Stress and Anxiety in College & Beyond
• COVID-19 Resource Guide for Students, Teens, and Young Adults
• NAMI-OC's Instagram
• NAMI-OC’s Happy Hour 
• NAMI-OC's Peer Connector Program
• NAMI Orange County
• Crisis Line, Warmline, and Crisis Groups

Disclaimers:  It’s Okay To Feel is for informational/educational and/or entertainment purposes only and is not a substitute for medical or psychiatric advice, diagnosis, or treatment.  

It’s Okay to Feel is Funded by the Orange County Health Care Agency (OCHCA), Behavioral Health Services, Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. 

*Trigger warning - this episode is a candid discussion about suicide and suicide prevention * Please take care of yourself, and if you need to, don’t be afraid to reach out and ask for help. You can find resources below in the show notes. 

Hello everyone, my name is Abu Iqbal and I am a 17-year-old Pakistani American Muslim who is QPR Suicide Prevention certified. I have my own personal battles with suicide ideation as well as know people who have died by suicide, ultimately making me willing and motivated to discuss this topic. I love to connect with people and I hope this podcast episode helps you!

In this episode we talk about:

• Stigmas around Suicide
• Warning signs and risk factors
• Suicide Prevention
• How to start and maintain healthy conversations regarding suicide
• Importance of listening
• How to be there for one another and yourself
• Grounding activities
• Resources to use or refer to people

Facts and figures included in this podcast come from the following sources:

• QPR Institute (Suicide Prevention Training)
• (Video) How do you help a grieving friend? 
• National Suicide Hotline - 800-273-8255
• Didi Hirsch Suicide Prevention - 714-547-0885 
• Didi Hirsch Crisis Chat
• Text home to 741741
• National Institute of Mental Health
• American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
• helpguide.org
• American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP)
• NAMI Orange County
• Peer Connector Program 
• NAMI-OC Warmline Call or text: (714) 991-6412
• American Muslim Health Professionals (AMHP)
• You, Me, Empathy (Non's podcast)
• The Feely Human Collective
• Rainy Day Diaries (Jenipher’s podcast)
• Naseeha
• Khalil Center
• Instagram accounts @realdepressionproject, @didi Hirsch, @dlcanxiety 

This unique takeover episode is a feature of the NAMI-OC Media Masterclass which teaches teens and young adults the basics of podcasting and growing their social media presence.  Takeover episodes feature Media Masterclass students who want to start their own podcast.

Disclaimers:  It’s Okay To Feel is for informational/educational and/or entertainment purposes only and is not a substitute for medical or psychiatric advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
 
It’s Okay to Feel is Funded by the Orange County Health Care Agency (OCHCA), Behavioral Health Services, Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. 

Welcome to the third Takeover Episode of It's Okay to Feel!

On this Takeover Episode of It’s Okay to Feel, Vivian Le & Dr. Matthew Quinlan discusses how stress is universal as we all deal with it day to day. From the broad spectrum of stress that we all experience to the importance of recognizing when you need help, you may find that you relate to some of the topics at hand. Our host and guest reminds us that with awareness we can better understand our triggers and stressors, thus improving our overall mental, physical, psychological and emotional wellness. Through education and awareness we can work together to decrease the stigma associated with mental health. 

 Our Takeover Host today is Vivian Le. She is a passionate mental health advocate and a high school student in Orange County. Vivian hopes to explore her studies within the medical field.

 Our guest today is Dr. Matthew Quinlan a Psychology professor at Coastline College in Orange County. Dr. Quinlan shares his expertise with stress and best practices in dealing with stress. With a degree in neuroscience he shares his knowledge on the effects stress can have on our brain and the impacts of both substance abuse and chronic stress. 

This unique takeover episode is a feature of the NAMI-OC Media Masterclass which teaches teens and young adults the basics of podcasting and growing their social media presence.  Takeover episodes feature Media Masterclass students who want to start their own podcast.

 
In this episode, Vivian and Dr. Quinlan talk about:

• Stress is universal 
• Importance of asking for help and reaching out to loved ones and friends
• Different responses to stress: physical, emotional, behavioral 
• Resources and tools for stress 
• Progress made in the psychological field and mental health awareness 
• Types of treatment for stress: insight, behavior, and biomedical therapies 
• And More!

Resources:

• Theories of Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences
• Psychoanalysis: A Brief History of Freud’s Psychoanalytic Theory 
• NAMI-OC's Instagram
• NAMI-OC’s Happy Hour 
• NAMI-OC's Peer Connector Program
• NAMI Orange County
• Crisis Line, Warmline, and Crisis Groups

Disclaimers:  It’s Okay To Feel is for informational/educational and/or entertainment purposes only and is not a substitute for medical or psychiatric advice, diagnosis, or treatment.  

It’s Okay to Feel is Funded by the Orange County Health Care Agency (OCHCA), Behavioral Health Services, Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.