DBSAlliance

Have you lost a friend to suicide? OR Are you someone longing to bust mental health stigma at your school? Hear some comforting words from Reed for suicide survivors and practical tips for students who wish to make a difference in the world of mental health. Reed is the Co-President of his high school's Erika's Lighthouse (EL) chapter. Reed is the second student from EL featured in the Impact Series. You can hear the first EL interview with Ann here, Impact Series Pt 8: Teen Channels Grief from Brother's Suicide into Force for Good. Interested in bringing Erika's Lighthouse to your school? Visit www.erikaslighthouse.org for more information.

Your Thoughts?:

What are the most comforting words someone ever told you after losing someone to suicide?

Can you use Reed's advice to make an impact at your school (get other students involved, get a teacher/faculty member involved, remember that no difference is too small)?

How do you move on when everyone around you has seen you at your lowest? Would you keep your friend's secret no matter the cost? Helping us with these two riddles is 17-yo Kelsey and her mom. We'll hear about Kelsey's journey from survivng severe depression to becoming a successful mental health advocate. Kelsey is a student leader at Erika's Lighthouse. Interested in bringing Erika's Lighthouse to your school? Visit www.erikaslighthouse.org.

Your Thoughts:

Can you use Kelsey's advice on helping a suicidal friend (getting an approprite adult involved--not keeping a secret at any cost)?

Hear from Alison Malmon, the Founder of Active Minds Inc., an organization that destroys mental health stigma on campuses. Malmon will talk about why she started Active Minds, and how it's grown from 3 students to 300 chapters. Malmon will also give tips for those of us with mentally ill siblings & advice for people who have survived the suicide of a loved one. To bring Active Minds to your campus, visit www.activeminds.org.

Your Thoughts?:

Can you use Alison's advice on loving a sibling (trust your instincts, trust your relationship, and get support for yourself)?

Were you inspired by Alison's story?

In this short podcast, I finish my interview with Alison Malmon, the Executive Director of Active Minds, a booming organization that busts sitmga on college campuses across the U.S. Alison shares 1) practical ways teachers and professors can help students that are battling mental illness and 2) how you can help a depressed family member or friend. For more information on Active Minds, visit www.activeminds.org.

Your Thoughts?:

Are you a teacher or professor who can use some of these ideas (1. tell students you care about more than grading their papers 2. put the school's mental health resources on the syllabus 3. listen to students/treat mental illness with the same consideration you give physical illness)?

Are you a friend or family member who can use Alison's advice on also finding support for yourself?

In this podcast, we broach the difficult subject of rape--what NOT to say and what TO say to a friend who has been raped or sexually assaulted. 1 in 4 women in the U.S. have been raped or sexually assaulted. 1 in 6 men have experienced sexual abuse or rape. At the end of the podcast, I also list resources for survivors and their loved ones. April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month in the U.S.

Your Thoughts?:

Can you use these two lists to help you support a friend or loved one?

Can you use some of the resources in the podcast to find help for yourself or a friend?

In this Flipswitch interview, I talk to the author of children's book, Bipolar Bears, Sue Hueston. Through the story of a family of polar bears, easy to understand language, and beautiful illustrations, this book helps children with parents who have bipolar disorder make sense of the illness. Sue talks about how a manic episode following the birth of her first child in 2008 inspired her to write Bipolar Bears and helped her come to terms with a sexual assault that happened many years ago. Sue also shares her tools for being happy and successful while living with bipolar disorder. Her story is one of hope over despair! Visit her website here: www.bipolarbears.net.au.

Your Thoughts?:

Has lack of sleep ever triggered a manic episode for you?

Can you use Sue's advice for staying stable (monitoring sleep patterns, exercising regularly, eating healthy)?

What happened the last time you reconnected with a friend? You'll hear the surprising thing that happened when two childhood friends found each other after 30 years on Facebook. This is my interview with talented actress, Meredith Simesen, from Chicago theater company, Erasing the Distance. Meredith is starring in the world premiere of Good Enough, a production from Erasing the Distance, which can be seen on May 14, 15, 21, or 22. Visit www.erasingthedistance.org for more info.

Your Thoughts:

Were you encouraged by Meredith and April's story?

Do you have similar story of friendship in the face of mental illness?

Linea Johnson talks about the book she wrote with her mom (Cinda Johnson) Perfect Chaos, which chronicles her journey through bipolar disorder. The 26-year old reads 4 passages from the book on depression, mania, ECT (electroconvulsive therapy), and how a friend helped her during a crying spell. Linea shares her message of comfort for people who are managing bipolar disorder.

Your Thoughts?:

Could you relate to Linea's story?

Has a friend ever made you feel less alone during depression or mania?

Hear from Amelia, a "story collector" at the theater company Erasing the Distance. Amelia is one of the writers of Good Enough, which has shows on May 14, 15, 21, and 22 in Chicago. Good Enough features the true stories of five remarkable women who are experiencing depression or bipolar disorder. Amelia will read a passage from the play. She will tell us why Good Enough is a great production for audience members with and without mental illnesses. For more information about watching Good Enough or submitting your own life story, you can visit www.erasingthedistance.org.

Your Thoughts:

Will you watch the show?

Do you ever struggle with feeling good enough?

Hear from a woman who has overcome it all--abuse, homelessness, addiction, and undiagnosed mental illness (bipolar disorder) to help thousands! Sharon Wise is a successful artist, author, and mental health advocate. I met her when we both won honors from the National Council--she won 1st place in Artistic Contribution. To order her artwork or read her books, email her at [email protected]. In this interview, Sharon shares the tools of her bipolar survival kit.

Your Thoughts?:

Does Sharon's life give you hope?

Is there someone you can share this story with--someone who needs hope?