Dissect & Connect

Erine Cressell's life has been profoundly impacted by overdose.

Erine, who is in long-term recovery, openly shares her own struggles with substance use and addiction, and recalls the deeply painful experience of losing not just one - but two - loved ones to overdose.

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance use, there is help available. If you live in the New River Valley, call NRVCS at 540-961-8400 or visit nrvcs.org for more information.

SAMHSA's National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
SAMHSA National Helpline website: https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline

#EndOverdoseNRV

Minister Michelle Mathis is co-founder and Executive Director of The Olive Branch Ministry, a faith-based harm reduction agency serving nine counties in North Carolina’s Foothills/Piedmont region.

In our conversation, Michelle discusses the mission of her organization and the approach they use to meet drug users ‘where they’re at’ – choosing love and compassion over shame and judgement.

Resources mentioned in this episode:
The Olive Branch Ministry website - http://olivebranchministry.org/
Points of Hope website – http://pointsofhopenc.org/

Books:
American Fix: Inside the Opioid Addiction Crisis – And How to End It by Ryan Hampton (Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/American-Fix-Inside-Opioid-Addiction/dp/1250196264)

Dopesick: Dealers, Doctors, and the Drug Company that Addicted America by Beth Macy (Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/Dopesick-Dealers-Doctors-Company-Addicted/dp/0316551309/ref=pd_lpo_14_t_1/139-3780230-8765003?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=0316551309&pd_rd_r=0ca7ccda-7e90-4b18-89b2-66d3a4a0a6da&pd_rd_w=EogmO&pd_rd_wg=cQS0e&pf_rd_p=7b36d496-f366-4631-94d3-61b87b52511b&pf_rd_r=0Y6DJCAF368YCEV2VK1E&psc=1&refRID=0Y6DJCAF368YCEV2VK1E)

Sponsor Information:
Teen Connections https://www.plannedparenthood.org/pla...

Contact: Malinda Britt, PPSAT Community Health Educator [email protected] / (540) 315-2130

Jen Scott and Jennifer Bertollo are with the Virginia Tech Autism Clinic and Center for Autism Research (VTAC/CAR). Jen the Rural Outreach and Grants Coordinator for VTAC/CAR. Jennifer is a doctoral student in the Clinical Psychology Program at Virginia Tech, who completes much of her clinical and research training at the Clinic/Center.   In our discussion, the two give an overview of autism, as well as associated risk factors and some of the common misconceptions about individuals living with autism spectrum disorder. They also share how the VTAC/CAR’s Mobile Autism Clinic is used to help connect families in rural communities.   Resources mentioned in this episode:
Contact information for the Virginia Tech Autism Clinic and Center for Autism Research: Phone: 540-231-2053 Email: [email protected]   Websites: VT Autism Clinic and Center for Autism Research (VTAC/CAR) -http://www.vtcar.science.vt.edu/   VT Child Study Center - http://childstudycenter.wixsite.com/c...   VT Psychological Services Center - http://support.psyc.vt.edu/centers/psc   CA Human Services (based in Richmond, VA) education, trainings and services - http://cahumanservices.org/   Virginia Autism Council – provides a clearinghouse of a variety of information - http://autismtrainingva.vcu.edu/   National organizations that provide advocacy, education, information and referral, and support: Autism Society - http://www.autism-society.org/   Autism Speaks - http://www.autismspeaks.org/   Organization for Autism Research: parent-led, science-focused; offers information and resources for those with ASD looking for jobs, as well as safety information and information specifically for military families - http://researchautism.org/   Other resources: Spectrum News - A leading source of news and expert opinion on autism research - http://www.spectrumnews.org/   Book:
Overcoming Autism: Finding the Answers, Strategies, and Hope That Can Transform a Child's Life by Lynn Kern Koegel and Claire LaZebnik - https://www.amazon.com/Overcoming-Aut...   Sponsor Information:
Teen Connections https://www.plannedparenthood.org/pla...
Contact: Malinda Britt, PPSAT Community Health Educator [email protected] / (540) 315-2130      

Our latest podcast features an interview with Dr. Brandy Faulkner, the Gloria D. Smith Professor of Africana Studies in the Department of Political Science at Virginia Tech.

In our discussion, Dr. Faulkner addresses issues around poverty, class and socioeconomic status. She challenges the long-held notion that anyone living in the United States with a ‘bootstraps’ mentality can be successful and argues that much of the nation’s growing problem with poverty should be blamed on systemic causes and not the actions (or inaction) of individuals and families who struggle to meet even the most basic of needs.

Resources mentioned in this episode:
U.S. Census Bureau data website – http://www.data.census.gov

United Way – http://www.unitedway.org

Southern Poverty Law Center - http://www.splcenter.org/

Virginia Organizing - http://virginia-organizing.org/

Sponsor Information:
Teen Connections https://www.plannedparenthood.org/pla... Contact: Malinda Britt, PPSAT Community Health Educator [email protected] / (540) 315-2130

In our latest episode, we go one-on-one with Beth O'Connor, Executive Director of the Virginia Rural Health Association since 2005.

In our conversation, Beth discusses the challenges of accessing healthcare in rural communities, including the closures of hospitals and associated clinics. We also talk about the impact of the opioid epidemic and Beth previews new legislation being proposed by Senator Tim Kaine designed to address the health of expectant mothers and newborns living in rural areas.

Resources mentioned in this episode:
Virginia Rural Health Association website - www.vrha.org

VRHA's podcast: The Rural Health Voice Podcast - https://vrha.org/rhv-podcast/

National Rural Health Association website - www.ruralhealthweb.org

National Association of Rural Mental Health website - www.narmh.org

Rural Health Information Hub - www.ruralhealthinfo.org

 

Our latest podcast features an interview with New York Times best-selling author Beth Macy, author of “Dopesick: Dealers, Doctors, and The Drug Company That Addicted America.” Macy is also creator of the Audible Original audio documentary, “Dopesick: Finding Tess."

In our conversation, we discuss the overwhelming response to “Dopesick” and some of the spinoff projects inspired by the book. Macy also shares what she’s personally gained from the experience and what it was like to grow up with a parent who struggled with addiction.

Resources mentioned in this episode:
Beth Macy’s website: https://intrepidpapergirl.com/
Beth Macy on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorBethMacy/
Beth Macy on Twitter: https://twitter.com/papergirlmacy

Recommended Books:
In Pain: A Bioethicist's Personal Struggle with Opioids by Travis Rieder
Long Bright River (A Novel) by Liz Moore
Pain Killer: An Empire of Deceit and the Origin of America's Opioid Epidemic by Barry Meier
Dreamland: The True Tale of America's Opiate Epidemic by Sam Quinones
American Overdose: The Opioid Tragedy in Three Acts by Chris McGreal
Fentanyl, Inc.: How Rogue Chemists Are Creating the Deadliest Wave of the Opioid Epidemic by Ben Westhoff

Sponsor Information: Teen Connections
https://www.plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthood-south-atlantic/education-programs/teen-connections

Contact: Malinda Britt, PPSAT Community Health Educator
[email protected] / (540) 315-2130

Emil Morris is a Community Outreach Specialist with the Women's Resource Center of the New River Valley and helps facilitate the organization's Inclusion Council.

In our conversation, we discuss a variety of issues affecting the LGBTQ community - including the prevalence of discrimination, abuse and sexual violence that is often perpetrated against this population. Emil, who identifies as non-binary, also shares insight from her own journey of transitioning.

Resources mentioned in this episode:
Women's Resource Center of the New River Valley website: www.wrcnrv.org
GLAAD website: www.glaad.org
PFLAG website: www.pflag.org

Other recommended resources (books):
Stone Butch Blues by Leslie Feinberg
Boots of Leather, Slippers of Gold by Elizabeth Lapovsky Kennedy and Madeline Davis

Dr. Dana L. Cunningham serves as Vice-President of Community Outreach and Engagement for Black Mental Wellness, a Washington, D.C.-based group founded by clinical psychologists whose mission is to address mental health issues that are prevalent and unique to the experiences of black people.

In our conversation, Dr. Cunningham reflects upon current events around social unrest and racial injustice, as well as stigma toward mental health disorders in the black community. We also discuss health disparities, the importance of culturally competent care, and the lack of diversity among behavioral healthcare providers.

Resources mentioned in this episode:
Black Mental Wellness website - www.blackmentalwellness.com

Dr. Cunningham's book, A Day I'll Never Forget, on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Dana-L-Cunningham-Ph-D/dp/1518847587/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=A+Day+I%27ll+Never+Forget+book+by+Dana+L.+Cunningham&qid=1594227227&sr=8-1

Leanna Craig is the West Region Director with the Virginia Department of Veterans Services Virginia Veteran and Family Support Program (VDVS VVFS).

Leanna leads a regional team that monitors and coordinates behavioral health, rehabilitative, and support services for veterans, service members, families and caregivers (SMVF). She shares an overview of her program and the barriers to providing services to veterans and families in southwest Virginia.

We also discuss the most common behavioral health issues among this population and the importance of military cultural competency.

Resources mentioned in this podcast:
Virginia Department of Veterans Services website: www.dvs.virginia.gov

Upcoming Military Cultural Competency Trainings offered by VDVS VVFS: http://www.nrvcs.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/MCC-Flyer-July-Sept-2020.pdf

Leanna Craig's contact information: [email protected]

 

Sarah Wilson has worked for NAMI Virginia since 2009 after interning with the organization. Since that time, Sarah has served in a variety of roles with NAMI Virginia, including: Director of Adult and Family Programs, Director of Children & Youth Programs and Director of Events and Outreach. It’s fair to say that she has had her hand in almost every aspect of the organization. In 2018, Sarah was named NAMI Virginia’s Assistant Director.

In our conversation, Sarah shares her thoughts on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing social unrest. She also addresses the importance of staying connected with others and closely monitoring our own mental health. Sarah also explains why she chose a career in mental health.

Resources mentioned in this episode:
NAMI Virginia Helpline: 1-888-486-8624 (non-emergency)

NAMI Virginia Main Number: 1-8040285-8264

NAMI NRV Helpline: 1-540-585-1627 (non-emergency)

Calm app: www.calm.com