"We knew in our bones that mental health had to be woven into what was being offered in community life, just as we had done with cancer screenings or diabetes education ... we built on the same everyday tools we had used before: creating safe spaces to talk and breaking down stigma. When community takes care of each other that's when you can see changes." Building trusted individual-centric care is the first step to supporting mentally healthy communities.

Mental Health Matters Washington believes that mental health is the foundation for well-being and overall health. This community-centric program uses evidence-backed, culturally informed strategies to educate and train Peer Mental Health Navigators that provide mental health support in their own communities. Co-Founder, Sandra Huber, and Peer Navigator, Calvin Trinh, join us to discuss how they prioritize groups and communities most impacted by behavioral health disparities, to change the stigma about mental health.

Coping 101 is an award-winning student-led podcast from c89.5, presented in partnership with Seattle Children's, Forefront Suicide Prevention, 4Culture and other community-minded partners, where Seattle area high school students get real about mental health. Through honest conversations with peers, Artists and behavioral health professionals, they break down stigma and share tools for coping with life's challenges — because no matter your age or background, we all struggle sometimes, and there are healthy ways to cope.

Get started with more episodes, and find community-centric resources online at c895.org/coping101

• Forefront Suicide Prevention: https://intheforefront.org/
• Forefront in the Schools: https://intheforefront.org/programs/forefront-in-the-schools/
• Forefront on social: https://www.instagram.com/intheforefrontwa/
• Mental Health Matters Washington: https://mentalhealthmatterswa.com/
• MHMW Peer Navigator Training: https://mentalhealthmatterswa.com/train-to-become-a-peer-mental-health-navigator/

"Harm reduction is a really useful term, but it's a bit of a misnomer. Some people are moving toward the phrase Risk Reduction. Risk is always present, but if you play a good game you can eliminate your risks entirely." This special episode of Coping 101 is hosted by Madlon, c89.5's host of Color Theory, DJ, mental health advocate, and longtime raver. DanceSafe's Richard Hartnell joined Madlon to explore the current state of affairs in the nightlife and festival scene, when it comes to responsible partying, drug policy, and the various ways we can look out for ourselves and each other. Fentanyl specifically is in the spotlight these days, as an increasing cause of overdose and death among young people. It can be dangerous, but it's also become this catch-all for drug culture. Here we cover what people should know about fentanyl, how prevalent it is, how and when to use narcan - or naloxone - and some of the common misconceptions around it. We invited DanceSafe to guide us through this loaded subject matter, as they're a drug checking, earplug slinging, party servicing nonprofit that was founded on social justice principles. Programs include drug education, sexual health and consent deep-dives, political advocacy, and event outreach. Presented by c89.5 in partnership with Seattle Children's, Coping 101 is an ongoing series led by students in Nathan Hale High School's Podcast Club. The project destigmatizes mental health from a teen's perspective, and is made possible with support from Friends For Life. No matter our age or background we all face challenges, and there are healthy ways to cope. Get started with more episodes, and find community-relevant resources online at c895.org/coping101

• Friends For Life: https://wafriendsforlife.com/
• DanceSafe: https://dancesafe.org/
• more about Madlon: https://www.madlonmusic.com/

*This content is for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Listeners are encouraged to consult qualified health professionals regarding any health or safety concerns. DanceSafe is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to support public health information. DanceSafe neither condones nor condemns drug use, instead it provides evidence based information to promote informed decisions. The information shared, including references to fentanyl test strips, Narcan training, and other harm reduction tools, is provided as part of DanceSafe's mission to empower individuals and communities knowledge through honest, non-judgmental drug education. Statements made by podcast guests or hosts may reflect personal experiences and do not necessarily represent the official views of DanceSafe. Nothing in this episode should be interpreted as medical advice, legal advice or a guarantee of safety.

Coping with life's stresses and trauma manifests in the decisions we make. Contrary to some widely held assumptions, 90% of young adults in Washington State aren't driving under the influence, and most aren't using Marijuana on a regular basis. We need to emphasize the positive decisions these young people are making, and this episode dives into practical ways more of us can follow their lead. If everybody takes care of their friends and family, traffic deaths will decrease and we can make a real difference in saving lives across our communities.

Seattle high school seniors Dylan, Estelle, and Gavin explore these themes with David Cruz who represents the Most Steer Clear campaign, which spotlights stories and data that show the positive decisions that keep our roads - and loved ones - safe. Tune in for some education, inspiration, and some real talk from today's youth.

• Most Steer Clear: https://www.moststeerclear.org/
• Stats: https://www.moststeerclear.org/stats/
• Resources: https://www.moststeerclear.org/resources/

"Just talk about it, normally. Having more open conversations about mental health, bringing it up more, allows people to be more comfortable and open to talking about that topic. Since it can be really hard, the more regular that it is, the easier that it is to talk about." Teens have a lot to teach us, when we're ready to listen.

Every year, Forefront in the Schools welcomes nearly 150 students and staff from schools across the Puget Sound region for the Day of Hope summit at University of Washington. Hailing from Kennedy Catholic High School, Muckleshoot Tribal School, Shorecrest, South Whidbey High School, Mt. Si, Roosevelt High School, The Bush School, Evergreen Public Schools, Lakewood School District, Ballard High School and Eastside Catholic and more, student advocates gather to share their work on comprehensive suicide prevention in their communities, including stories of belonging, care, and resilience. In this special episode of Coping 101, we asked these student leaders to share their WHY's for joining in this life-saving work, what they're doing to help themselves and their peers, and what adults can do to maintain effective mental health conversations with young people.

Coping 101 is an award-winning student-led podcast from c89.5, presented in partnership with Seattle Children's, Forefront Suicide Prevention, 4Culture and other community-minded partners, where Seattle area high school students get real about mental health. Through honest conversations with peers, Artists and behavioral health professionals, they break down stigma and share tools for coping with life's challenges — because no matter your age or background, we all struggle sometimes, and there are healthy ways to cope.

Get started with more episodes, and find community-centric resources online at c895.org/coping101

• Forefront Suicide Prevention: https://intheforefront.org/
• Forefront in the Schools: https://intheforefront.org/programs/forefront-in-the-schools/
• Forefront on social: https://www.instagram.com/intheforefrontwa/

Teen Dating Violence isn't talked about enough, and yet it's all too common. Toxic relationships can happen to any of us at any age, and some cross the line into abuse, manipulation, and violence.

Dylan and Estelle, students at The Bush School in Seattle, sat with Audrey Comber to dismantle stigmas around violence in teen relationships, and discuss ways to recognize warning signs before problems take hold. Audrey is a licensed social worker and Trauma Therapist at LightHeart Associates with a background in interpersonal violence and sexual assault, and as a survivor she shares her own journey from recovery to resiliency.

LightHeart Associates is committed to providing tailored mental health treatment including therapy and psychiatric medication management to individuals of all ages and walks of life—from children and teenagers to adults, couples, and families. LightHeart offers telehealth and in-person care at their locations in Redmond, Edmonds, Federal Way and Northgate along with two new clinics opening in Fremont and Bothell later this year. With immediate availability for new clients, their intake team is committed to supporting you in navigating your personal mental health journey, with more at lightheartassociates.com/

Presented by c89.5 in partnership with Seattle Children's, Coping 101 is an ongoing series led by students in Nathan Hale High School's Podcast Club. The project aims to destigmatize mental health from a teen's perspective, and is made possible with local support from LightHeart Associates, Hansmire Builders, and 4Culture. No matter our age or background we all face challenges, and there are healthy ways to cope. Get started with more episodes, and find community-relevant resources online at c895.org/coping101

Before there were influencers, Donald Byrd was busy influencing art and culture through his countless contributions in Dance. As an established force on both coasts with Seattle now his home, the iconic choreographer shares stories, insights and deep feelings that are the culmination of an artist's life well lived. In this honest conversation with high school senior Gavin M., the legend articulates the significance of an Artist in 2025. He also debunks Drug use and addiction from a years-long struggle that he successfully overcame. He discusses Blackness in America, and how Black people are alchemists that turn pain and oppression into gold. And together they explore the ways that we can achieve more balance, growth and compassion through work on Self. Donald Byrd has been the Artistic Director of Spectrum Dance Theater since December 2002. Formerly, he was Artistic Director of Donald Byrd/The Group, a critically acclaimed contemporary dance company, founded in Los Angeles and later based in New York, that toured both nationally and internationally. His career has been long and complex, and his choreographic and theatrical interests are broad. The New York Times describes him as "a choreographer with multiple personalities ... an unabashed eclectic." He received a Tony-nomination for his choreography for The Color Purple and a Bessie Award for The Minstrel Show. Co-presented by 4Culture, Coping 101's Artist Mental Health Stories amplify voices from King County's cultural sector to empower individual artists, uplift the creative community and destigmatize mental health from a teen's perspective. No matter our age or background we all face challenges, and there are many healthy ways to find balance. Get started with more episodes and resources hosted at c895.org/coping101

• more about Donald Byrd: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donald_Byrd_(choreographer)
• more about Spectrum Dance Theater
• 4Culture - 4culture.org

After a "voice of God" moment in 2012, Vee Hua set about making their first film—a process that has taken years.

Vee Hua 華婷婷 (they/them) is a writer, filmmaker, and organizer. They're currently the Editor-in-Chief of REDEFINE, a Co-Chair of the Seattle Arts Commission, and until recently, the Interim Managing Editor of the South Seattle Emerald. Prior to that, they were the Executive Director of the interdisciplinary community hub, Northwest Film Forum, where they played a role in making the space more welcoming and accessible for diverse audiences.

Their latest short film, Reckless Spirits (2022), is a metaphysical, multi-lingual POC buddy comedy; the feature film version is slated for production in 2025. Vee is also in post-production on a short documentary film about Hunt's Trading Post in Southern Utah, just outside of the Navajo and Ute Nations.

c89.5's Podcast Club Advisor Gavin Reub joined Vee to explore the experience of filmmaking in a town like Seattle, the connection between cultural spaces and community mental health, and how their status as a second generation American has impacted their approach to art making, politics, and expression.

Co-presented by 4Culture, Coping 101's Artist Mental Health Stories amplify voices from King County's cultural sector to empower individual artists, uplift the creative community and destigmatize mental health from a teen's perspective. No matter our age or background we all face challenges, and there are many healthy ways to find balance. Get started with more episodes and resources hosted at c895.org/coping101

• more about Reckless Spirits
• more about Vee: https://vivianhua.com/about-vee/
• 4Culture - 4culture.org

Loving kindness can be one of the most transformational practices for individuals, and for societies at large. As a practice, it sounds like this: May I be loved. May I be cared for. May I be healthy. May my heart know peace. And then for someone you love: May they be loved. May they be cared for. May they be healthy. May their heart know peace.

Damithia Nieves lives a life informed by intentional practices. As Co-Director of Space Between, she helps facilitate human and school transformation through mindfulness practice. She is also a teacher, a mother of 4, and the founder of Thrive Centered, whose mission is to continue the work of decolonizing wellness and improving access to healing practices for BIPOC communities and youth. High school senior Gavin M. sat with Damithia to discuss Damithia's journey, creating space for mindfulness practice in students, and how we can foster wellness and inclusion in communities.

Presented by c89.5 in partnership with Seattle Children's, Coping 101 is an ongoing series led by students in Nathan Hale High School's Podcast Club. The project aims to destigmatize mental health from a teen's perspective, and is made possible with local support from The Community Foundation of Snohomish County, Hansmire Builders, Compass Health, and 4Culture. No matter our age or background we all face challenges, and there are healthy ways to cope. Get started with more episodes, and find community-relevant resources online at c895.org/coping101

• Space Between: www.spacebetween.community/our-story
• More about Damithia, and Thrive Centered: thrivecentered.com/
• This episode is made possible by The Community Foundation of Snohomish County: https://www.cf-sc.org/learn/who-we-are-what-we-do/

What does a crisis look like? It's up to youth and their families to define that answer. One thing, however, is for sure: Crisis is never convenient. Crises don't pick the most opportune time and place to strike, and so for any help to be effective, it needs to be flexible - and in many cases, mobile. When your brain goes off the tracks, getting help is much more feasible if someone can come to you... someone like Compass Health Program Manager Rick Deluga.

Rick Deluga manages the new Child, Youth, and Family Crisis Team in Snohomish County for Compass Health. He holds a Masters in Social Work, and previously worked with the Downtown Emergency Service Center - which led to the innovative Crisis prevention work he does today - including mobile crisis response for youth across the county. Students in Nathan Hale High's Podcast Club sat with Rick to discuss how he got into this unique line of work, explore what crisis can look like, and identify actionable ways to get help when and where it's most urgently needed.

Presented by c89.5 in partnership with Seattle Children's, Coping 101 is an ongoing series led by students in Nathan Hale High School's Podcast Club that destigmatizes mental health from a teen's perspective, made possible with local support from 4Culture, Hansmire Builders, and Compass Health - NW Washington's Behavioral Healthcare leader. No matter our age or background we all face challenges, and there are healthy ways to cope. Get started with more episodes, and find community-centric resources online at c895.org/coping101

• more about Compass Health's Mobile Crisis Outreach Team (MCOT): https://www.compasshealth.org/services/mcot/

• 988 Crisis Line, a resource for anyone in WA experiencing emotional crisis: wa988.org
• Compass Health's Mental Health Toolkit: https://www.compasshealth.org/mental-health-toolkit/

Plant Medicine ceremonies... Vision Quests... sensory deprivation float tanks... sound pretty far out?? For Andrew Ginn - Freelance Producer, Author and co-owner of Float Seattle - these are very real practices that inform a holistic lifestyle centered in healing. The life of a Freelance concert and events Producer is a physically rigorous one. The life of a business owner can be mentally stressful in many various ways. Andrew has developed a holistic approach to living that not only helps him deal with and recover from these challenges, but also empowers him as a guide for countless others on their own pathways to healing. In this episode of Artist Mental Health Stories, Andrew shares how working with plant medicines can help us go internal and heal trauma, daily life practices that introduce more balance, and how Floating can help with things like stress and anxiety, physical recovery, sleep, body perception, and mental acuity. His practice of free-journaling daily without ever reading a word has been a source of self discovery, leading him to author his first book, Solution Seekers - sort of a how-to for building a skill set by leaning into your curiosities. Co-presented by 4Culture, Coping 101's Artist Mental Health Stories amplify voices from King County's cultural sector to empower individual artists, uplift the creative community and destigmatize mental health from a teen's perspective. No matter our age or background we all face challenges, and there are many healthy ways to find balance. Get started with more episodes and resources hosted at c895.org/coping101

• Solution Seekers book: https://www.solutionseekersbook.com/opt-in
• more about Andrew: www.helloandrewlane.com
• Float Seattle: https://www.floatseattle.com/
• 4Culture - 4culture.org