Podcast description

The intense fear and social upheaval that gripped much of the world due to the 2020 COVID pandemic has mostly subsided three years on. How did strict social distancing mandates impact the wellbeing of our youth? And how did children cope when the adults around them were themselves anxious and stressed out about world events? 

Today, our guest is a youth crisis counselor, Coreetha Anthony, MS, who witnessed firsthand the numerous issues that young people faced. One of the most important takeaways from this discussion is that it’s never too late to seek help–even if many years have passed since a traumatic or upsetting event took place.

The mental wellbeing of young people before, during, and after COVID restrictions is a multifaceted issue with long-term impacts. Undoubtedly over time, we’ll get a clearer picture of the extent of those impacts. 

But something we can do right now is to realize the importance of advocating for accessible and affordable mental health resources, to destigmatize mental health challenges, and to create spaces where youth can safely share their experiences and receive the support they need. 

Although we can't go back and change what happened during an unprecedented global pandemic, we can choose to learn from past events if we want to forge a mindful path toward health and healing.  

References:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0890856720303373

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.02201/full

https://www.fcc.gov/988-suicide-and-crisis-lifeline

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/tween-and-teen-health/in-depth/teens-and-social-media-use/art-20474437#:~:text=A%202016%20study%20of%20more,levels%20of%20anxiety%20and%20depression.

Helpful Links:

TogetherWell Website: https://www.togetherwell.org/

Join our free emotional well-being workshop every Wednesday: https://www.togetherwell.org/wellnesswednesday

Donate: https://secure.givelively.org/donate/togetherwell-inc

Become a Volunteer: https://www.togetherwell.org/volunteer

Are you a mental health professional? Offer workshops: https://www.togetherwell.org/become-a-professional

Join us on social:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/togetherwellorg/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/togetherwellorg/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/togetherwellorg

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13625381/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCU5IYy3v0UepcZpJKtnAALQ

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@togetherwellorg?

The online video gaming industry is on a boom trajectory. Global video games and esports is expected to grow from $216B in revenue in 2021 to $324B by 2026 according to findings from PwC’s Global Entertainment & Media Outlook 2022-2026. All genders from all over the world play, from young through advanced age.

By far, it’s young males who love spending time playing video games. A 2017 Pew Research Center survey found that seventy-two percent of American males 18-29 years old either often or sometimes play video games. It’s young men in particular who sometimes struggle with the disparity between their online lives versus their offline lives. But this isn’t the only challenge related to video games, and neither is it solely this demographic that struggles with negative issues related to gaming. Over time, gaming habits for some players may start becoming problematic in other ways as well. When does it become unhealthy? 

As online gaming becomes increasingly enticing, it's up to each individual to practice self-awareness and develop what TogetherWell member and therapist, Mark Edwards, calls the "psychological muscle" to build controls around certain impulsive behaviors. If you notice that gaming behaviors are impacting your daily activities, your work, or your relationships, getting educated about this topic or seeking professional support may be helpful. 

Mark Edwards is a psychotherapist in private practice, a clinical supervisor and an adjunct member of the Master's in counseling program at Sonoma State University. He's also a licensed marriage and family therapist and resides in San Rafael, California. As a professor, he teaches aspects of psychotherapy and counseling at the graduate and postgraduate levels and leads community seminars for parents and employees. He provides psychotherapy for children, teens, adults, and families. One of his areas of focus is online life, which includes online gaming. 

References:

* https://thedecisionlab.com/thinkers/neuroscience/donald-hebb

* https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6212519/

* https://neuroquotient.com/en/pshychology-and-neuroscience-hebb-principle-rule/

* https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2022/07/gaming-pandemic-lockdowns-pwc-growth/

* Global Entertainment & Media Outlook 2022-2026 (pwc.com)

* Who plays video games? Younger men, but many others too | Pew Research Center

Helpful Links:

* TogetherWell Website

* Join our free emotional well-being workshop every Wednesday

* Donate

* Become a Volunteer

* Are you a mental health professional? Offer workshops

Join us on social:

* Facebook

* Instagram

* Twitter

* LinkedIn

* Youtube

* TikTok

The online video gaming industry is on a boom trajectory. Global video games and esports is expected to grow from $216B in revenue in 2021 to $324B by 2026 according to findings from PwC’s Global Entertainment & Media Outlook 2022-2026. All genders from all over the world play, from young through advanced age.

By far, it’s young males who love spending time playing video games. A 2017 Pew Research Center survey found that seventy-two percent of American males 18-29 years old either often or sometimes play video games. It’s young men in particular who sometimes struggle with the disparity between their online lives versus their offline lives. But this isn’t the only challenge related to video games, and neither is it solely this demographic that struggles with negative issues related to gaming. Over time, gaming habits for some players may start becoming problematic in other ways as well. When does it become unhealthy? 

As online gaming becomes increasingly enticing, it's up to each individual to practice self-awareness and develop what TogetherWell member and therapist, Mark Edwards, calls the "psychological muscle" to build controls around certain impulsive behaviors. If you notice that gaming behaviors are impacting your daily activities, your work, or your relationships, getting educated about this topic or seeking professional support may be helpful. 

Mark Edwards is a psychotherapist in private practice, a clinical supervisor and an adjunct member of the Master's in counseling program at Sonoma State University. He's also a licensed marriage and family therapist and resides in San Rafael, California. As a professor, he teaches aspects of psychotherapy and counseling at the graduate and postgraduate levels and leads community seminars for parents and employees. He provides psychotherapy for children, teens, adults, and families. One of his areas of focus is online life, which includes online gaming. 

Reference

https://thedecisionlab.com/thinkers/neuroscience/donald-hebb

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6212519/

https://neuroquotient.com/en/pshychology-and-neuroscience-hebb-principle-rule/

https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2022/07/gaming-pandemic-lockdowns-pwc-growth/

Global Entertainment & Media Outlook 2022-2026 (pwc.com)

Who plays video games? Younger men, but many others too | Pew Research Center

Helpful Links:

TogetherWell Website: https://www.togetherwell.org/

Join our free emotional well-being workshop every Wednesday: https://www.togetherwell.org/wellnesswednesday

Donate: https://secure.givelively.org/donate/togetherwell-inc

Become a Volunteer: https://www.togetherwell.org/volunteer

Are you a mental health professional? Offer workshops: https://www.togetherwell.org/become-a-professional

Join us on social:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/togetherwellorg/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/togetherwellorg/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/togetherwellorg

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13625381/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCU5IYy3v0UepcZpJKtnAALQ

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@togetherwellorg?

In this episode we talk with TogetherWell volunteer, Kashan Masud, about how his experience raising an 8-year-old son with special needs raised his awareness about caring for his own well-being. Kashan’s son was diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder with an array of associated symptoms, from heart problems to autistic behavior. 

Kashan initially struggled to accept his son’s special needs. But over the years, he has adopted many strategies that enabled him to face the challenges surrounding his son’s situation. By engaging in activities that support Kashan’s own physical and mental well-being, he’s able to more effectively cope and support the needs of his family. 

This episode includes discussions about caring for someone with a genetic disorder. Viewpoints expressed represent the unique lived experience of our guest. If you are interested in getting more in-depth information about genetic or neurodivergent disorders, a great place to start is by contacting your medical doctor, a mental health professional, or the National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI).

TogetherWell’s Gratitude Resources:

https://www.togetherwell.org/articles?q=gratitude

The neuroscience of gratitude

The power of gratitude

Practicing Gratitude - Part One

Practicing Gratitude - Part Two

Home | NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gtr/conditions/C2675369/

https://22q.org/

22q11.2 duplication syndrome - About the Disease - Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center (nih.gov)

Helpful TogetherWell Links:

TogetherWell Website: https://www.togetherwell.org/

Join our free emotional well-being workshop every Wednesday: https://www.togetherwell.org/wellnesswednesday

Donate: https://secure.givelively.org/donate/togetherwell-inc

Become a Volunteer: https://www.togetherwell.org/volunteer

Are you a mental health professional? Offer workshops: https://www.togetherwell.org/become-a-professional

Join us on social:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/togetherwellorg/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/togetherwellorg/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/togetherwellorg

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13625381/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCU5IYy3v0UepcZpJKtnAALQ

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@togetherwellorg?

This episode includes discussions of sexual health and wellness. It is intended for mature audiences only.

TogetherWell Member Dr. LaWanda Hill takes us on a journey while we explore the importance of normalizing women’s experience of pleasure. There's a lot of complexities around this topic and for many it's not easy to talk about … with anyone. Our powerfully ingrained belief systems send messages – both conscious and unconscious – that impact how we allow ourselves to pursue the idea of experiencing sexual pleasure.

For many, sex ed class in high school was formative ass it was our first serious introduction to the concept of sex – yet it skipped the pleasure part focusing instead purely anatomy, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and the wonders of abstinence. It’s no wonder most women don’t have an orgasm during sex while most men do – known as the “pleasure gap.” While sexual pleasure is important to our wellbeing many women do not give themselves permission to enjoy this pleasure. Licensed psychologist Dr. LaWanda Hill offers tips and insights to help us understand our own self-determination in accessing sexual pleasure – you don’t want to miss it.

Helpful Links:

TogetherWell Website: https://www.togetherwell.org/

Book a Workshop with Dr. LaWanda Hill: https://www.togetherwell.org/workshops/discover-your-pathway-to-pleasure

Dr. LaWanda Hill’s Website: https://www.drlawandahill.com/ & IG: drlawandahill

Join our free emotional well-being workshop every Wednesday: https://www.togetherwell.org/wellnesswednesday

Donate: https://secure.givelively.org/donate/togetherwell-inc

Become a Volunteer: https://www.togetherwell.org/volunteer

Are you a mental health professional? Offer workshops: https://www.togetherwell.org/become-a-professional

Join us on social:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/togetherwellorg/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/togetherwellorg/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/togetherwellorg

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13625381/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCU5IYy3v0UepcZpJKtnAALQ

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@togetherwellorg? 

Citation:

Herbenick D, Fu TJ, Arter J, Sanders SA, Dodge B. Women's Experiences With Genital Touching, Sexual Pleasure, and Orgasm: Results From a U.S. Probability Sample of Women Ages 18 to 94. J Sex Marital Ther. 2018 Feb 17;44(2):201-212. doi: 10.1080/0092623X.2017.1346530. Epub 2017 Aug 9. PMID: 28678639.

In this episode, Dr. Michele Haley, founder of TogetherWell, shares with co-hosts Beth and Michelle how her personal traumatic losses eventually led to building a platform for mental health education. TogetherWell is a nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating the systemic barriers to mental health education, resources, and tools. Its goal is to improve the well-being of all communities by making critical information and support more accessible and affordable through free and low-cost mental health workshops. It also provides resources for mental health professionals that support their mental health, too. 

This episode is for you if you’re interested in knowing the who, what and why behind the TogetherWell organization. Get to know the driving force behind the movement making mental health awareness more accessible to communities everywhere. 

Calls to action

* Learn more about TogetherWell: https://www.togetherwell.org/

* Join our free emotional well-being workshop every Wednesday: https://www.togetherwell.org/wellnesswednesday

* Donate: https://secure.givelively.org/donate/togetherwell-inc

* Become a Volunteer: https://www.togetherwell.org/volunteer

* Are you a mental health professional? Offer workshops: https://www.togetherwell.org/become-a-professional

* Join us on social:

* Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/togetherwellorg/

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/togetherwellorg/

* Twitter: https://twitter.com/togetherwellorg

* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13625381/

* Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCU5IYy3v0UepcZpJKtnAALQ

* TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@togetherwellorg?