Mental Health Download: Exploring Mental Illness, Suicide, Homelessness and Incarceration

To honor Mike Brose's 27 years with the Association - and to support our ongoing statewide mission - donate at mhaok.org/mike-brose. Thank you in advance for your generosity!

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You’re listening to the Mental Health Download from the nonprofit Mental Health Association Oklahoma. I’m Matt Gleason.

Welcome to the fourth and final episode in our series featuring Mike Brose reflecting on the history of the organization he has served for 27 years as CEO.

Knowing that this would be the last in the series, I wanted Mike to tell the story of the Zarrow Mental Health Symposium that started in 1995, just a few years after he was named CEO in 1993.

Of course, the Symposium’s story is powerful and remarkable part of the Association’s history, but the reason I saved the Symposium for the last episode is because the conference themes touch on so many of the ideas and concepts that Mike has championed all these years.

So, you’ll hear stories about the Symposium, but then we get into a variety of topics, including Mobile Medical Intervention Team, Criminal Justice Reform, Advocacy and his successor as CEO, Terri White. In addition, this was my opportunity for Mike to explain why he’s always said Mike-isms like Association is like a high-wire act with no net, why we should use judo instead of karate, and my personal favorite, we ride the bike as we build it.

OK, let’s get this history lesson started. The Mental Health Download starts … now.

"To give somebody a place to live, to give them a home, is one of the most therapeutic, wonderful gifts you could ever give to someone. And now they don't have to worry about where they're sleeping tonight. Now they don't have to worry about where their next meal is coming from. They have a place to live." - Mike Brose

Listen to part three of our multi-part series featuring the Association’s longtime CEO, Mike Brose, as he looks back on the history of the Mental Health Association > mhaok.org/mike-brose.

In this episode, Mike will share behind-the-scenes stories of the Association's once-controversial Yale Avenue Apartments. He also shares the origin stories of our peer-run drop-in centers. Mike closes out the podcast talking about the Association's statewide expansion in April 2014.

To honor Mike’s 27 years with the Association - and to support our ongoing statewide mission - donate and listen to episode two today. Thank you in advance for your generosity!

"The enormous pride that we've had to be, really, a national leader in housing, a national leader in employment of people who live in recovery and have them be important and valuable members of the team, be a part of our family. I mean, that gets to the heart and soul of Mental Health Association Oklahoma." -- Mike Brose

Listen to part two of our multi-part series featuring the Association’s longtime CEO, Mike Brose, as he looks back on the history of the Mental Health Association.

In this episode, Mike will share behind-the-scenes stories of how the Association was able to develop sustainable and affordable housing solutions for ending homelessness.

Mike also talks about how employment is treatment.

In addition, Mike explores the history of the Association’s suicide prevention initiatives, including Question, Persuade, Refer better known statewide as QPR.

To honor Mike’s 27 years with the Association - and to support our ongoing statewide mission - donate and listen to episode one today at mhaok.org/mike-brose. Thank you in advance for your generosity!

"It occurred to me really early on that you don't get this job -- you're entrusted with this job"

- Mike Brose, CEO of Mental Health Association Oklahoma

This Mx. Eden Nay quote says everything that needs to be said about this episode of the Mental Health Download:

To learn more about the Prism Project, visit http://www.ou.edu/tulsa/about/diversityandinclusion/lgbtq

On today’s episode, we’re going to explain why you should vote Yes On State Question 802 on June 30. Mental Health Association Oklahoma has joined the Yes on 802 Oklahomans Decide Healthcare movement to get Medicaid expansion passed in 2020 for nearly 200,000 Oklahomans.

Learn more at yeson802.org. Full disclosure, much of the statistics we’ll share today are straight from this brilliant website.

Your vote matters, so here are the days and times where early voting will be open at County Election Boards 

Friday, June 26: 8am - 6pm

Saturday, June 27: 9am - 2pm

Click the link  to find the early voting location closest to you - https://www.ok.gov/elections/documents/CEB_Physicial%20Addresses_%286-3-2020%29.pdf

Please vote, spread the word, and let’s win Medicaid expansion on June 30.

On this episode, we’re going to be talking about how Medicaid expansion would benefit the people Mental Health Association Oklahoma serves.

So my guests today are Selena Stockley, who serves as Mental Health Association Oklahoma’s new Chief Administrative Officer. She also oversees our advocacy efforts.

I’ve also invited Jacob Beaumont, the Association’s Director of Criminal Justice Reform, to be a part of the conversation.

OK, let’s get started. The Mental Health Download starts...now.

On today’s episode, the Association’s very own Matt Dean and Michael Huber discuss how the adult animated Netflix series "BoJack Horseman" does, in fact, tell the story of an anthropomorphic horse named BoJack. But it also has a unique perspective on depression and addiction. And since we are all still spending time at home due to the COVID-19 pandemic, now would be a perfect time to binge 6 seasons on Netflix.

In addition, Michael Huber courageously shares his own journey with depression and anxiety and why Bojack does such a remarkable job of destigmatizing mental health and addiction.

Quick background on Matt Dean, he’s the Association’s brilliant graphic designer and Michael keeps the Association’s IT running smoothly, especially as we all work virtually from home these day.

OK, let’s get the conversation started. The Mental Health Download starts...now.

"We're all struggling. We're not alone. We at the Mental Health  Association have always been here for you. We're going to be here for  you again now and in the future. This support group is just one way  we're offering to be with you through this difficult time." -- Dr. Al Carlozzi

NEW EPISODE > "Shannon Phillips: She Can Be Free" > mhaok.org/podcast

"There's nothing that's going to stop me because I love women. I want to be able to share my story to help them, to point them to the solution and say, 'Hey, come this way. Don't go down that path anymore. There's another path for you.' "

Shannon Phillips and her friend Melissa Baldwin talk about Shannon's podcast, "She Can Be Free." It's all about women helping other women walk towards freedom and recovery from the things that are holding them back.

Listen to the She Can Be Free Podcast at: https://www.shecanbefree.com/

On today's episode, we are featuring audio from a special Facebook Live event about the Mental Health Association Oklahoma support group  "Coping with Trauma from Racial Injustice." It features the group's facilitator Carmen White Janak and Rebecca Hubbard, the Association's director of Outreach, Prevention and Education.

Group begins June 15, 2020

This support group is for people dealing with the trauma and stress related to the racial injustices and the ongoing racial crisis in America. This will be a safe healing place for listening, sharing, growing and learning. Now is the time for change. Join us as we provide space for truth and healing.

To register for this support group, visit https://mhaok.org/racial-injustice