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

Podcasting is a powerful way to raise awareness about critical issues near and dear to nonprofits of all kinds. The mission today is to explain why -- and how -- more nonprofits can launch their own podcast.

Today, we're honored to be joined by fellow podcaster, Jesse Ulrich, who co-hosts Pod4Good and is the CEO of the podcast production company Rant9 Productions. And we asked our friend, Daniel Billingsley, of the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits, to join us to explain the importance of storytelling for nonprofits, especially now during the time of COVID-19 and protests related to the tragic deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery.

In addition, we're joined by Mickey Desai from Atlanta, Georgia.  Mickey is a veteran podcast producer.  He produces three podcasts currently:

Mickey also runs Podcast Wizardry, a firm dedicated to helping others tell their stories through their own podcasting efforts.

Your mind wants to label me as a person with the disability, but I'm a guy out here trying to change the world by changing one person at a time." - Emeka Nnaka

***

On today’s episode, I’m joined by my co-host, Avarie Wilson. She serves as the Association’s Assistant Director of Development.

Avarie and I are going to interview our guest and, actually, Avarie’s very good friend, Emeka Nnaka.

As so many Oklahomans know, Emeka has been in a wheelchair since he was 21. He was playing for a semi-pro football team when he tackled an opponent during a game in Arkansas. The opponent got to his feet. Emeka, sadly, was unable to move. Partially paralyzed, his life has never been the same.

Despite his challenges in life, Emeka has become an inspiration through his determination, grit, compassion and his exemplary volunteer work. Most notably, he’s been an amazing advocate and volunteer for Mental Health Association Oklahoma, the Tulsa Area United Way, the Center for Individuals with Physical Challenges, among others.

In late 2018, Emeka was invited to be on Ellen DeGeneres’ show after 50 people wrote letters to let her know how “incredible” Emeka is.

While on the show, Ellen read aloud a letter that described Emeka as a Tulsa treasure. Avarie and I could not agree more. And we’re so thrilled that Ellen and Cheerios gifted him with a check for $100,000 to celebrate his work in the community.

On today’s episode, I’m joined by my co-host, Tiffany Ramirez. She serves as the EmpowerOKC Program Manager at Lilyfield. Lilyfield's EmpowerOKC program is designed to transform families and communities into places where children are safe and can thrive.

Tiffany and I are going to interview our guest Malika Cox. She is passionate about criminal justice reform, restorative justice and policy changes that impact marginalized communities. Malika is the Pastor of Spiritual Formation, Justice and Community Life at The Table in Oklahoma City. Malika speaks and teaches on anti-bias, diversity and inclusion, race and reconciliation, and transitional and restorative justice practices.

Before we get to the interview, I want to tell you about Mental Health Association Oklahoma’s new virtual support group, Coping with Trauma from Racial Injustice. It begins June 15. The free virtual support group via Zoom is specifically for people dealing with the trauma and stress related to the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery and the ongoing crisis in America.

It is facilitated by Carmen White Janak. She is a diversity, equity, and inclusion professional and a non-denominational minister who understands the unique needs of people during this time.

More details are available at mhaok.org/supportgroups.

Ok, let’s get this conversation started.

On today’s episode, Rebecca Hubbard and Mark Davis are going to discuss how the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery have had profound traumatic effects on individuals and families, and especially people in the African American community. This is why Mental Health Association Oklahoma launched its free virtual support group via Zoom that is specifically for people dealing with this ongoing crisis in America. The Coping with Trauma from Racial Injustice support and open dialogue group will start at 7 p.m. June 15. More details are available at mhaok.org/supportgroups.

In addition, Mental Health Association Oklahoma encourages people to contact its free Mental Health Assistance Center at 918-585-1213 and 405-943-3700 for help and support. It is open Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. People may also send emails to [email protected].

OK, so just a bit of background on our guests: Rebecca is the Director of Outreach, Prevention and Education for Mental Health Association Oklahoma. And Rebecca is joined by Mark Davis, who serves as the Chief Programs Officer for the Association.

The Mental Health Download starts ... now.

Listen to the 100th Episode! This has been an amazing journey podcasting and sharing lessons with you all. We could not think of a better way to celebrate this milestone episode than to invite our dear friend Jacob Beaumont to talk all things meditation. Be sure to hang around for the end of the pod so you can hear the first session of Jacob's free meditation series available right now at mhaok.org/meditation. Thank you for listening! 

On today's episode, we are saying goodbye to our dear friend and leader, Wendi Fralick, who is Mental Health Association Oklahoma's chief administrative officer. We're both sad that she's leaving, but we're excited that she's also off to a new adventure with the Center for Individuals with Physical Challenges. Wendi is going to be the Center's new executive director! 

We love Wendi very much, and so we invited her on today's episode to look back on the highlights of her career with the Association and to just say "goodbye and we'll see you soon."

You’re listening to the Mental Health Download from the nonprofit Mental Health Association Oklahoma. 

Chef Justin Thompson joins Mike Brose and Matt Gleason for a discussion about life during COVID, his sobriety, his hopes for the mental health of his staff and, yes, the healing powers of baking. 

To connect with mental health services, call Mental Health Association Oklahoma's free Mental Health Assistance Center at 918-585-1213 or 405-943-3700.

Tiffany Ramirez, of EmpowerOKC, joins Rebecca Hubbard and Matt Gleason to discuss serving people whose first language is not English. Also, they talk about how EmpowerOKC has partnered with Westwood Elementary School, an Oklahoma City Public School, to identify at-risk students and provide support to students and their families to help prevent them from entering the child welfare system.