July is BIPOC Mental Health Month in the US. It exists to “bring awareness to the unique struggles that underrepresented groups face regarding mental illness” in this country. While mental health challenges impact humans regardless of race, body size, sexual orientation, gender, socioeconomic status, and so on, we also recognize that racism, colonization, police brutality, and white supremacy—among other things—are events and harsh realities that affect BIPOC in a significant way that can not and should not be ignored or dismissed.    In this episode, to help us lean into those things, we’re joined by Ricky Neal, Crisis Text Line’s Volunteer Experience Manager. As a Black man growing up in Laurens, South Carolina, he’ll share his personal mental health experience when it comes to racial identity and cultural stigma, and from a professional lens, Ricky will talk about the importance of having the people on the other end of a call, text, or counseling appointment be able to identify with the unique struggles BIPOC communities face on a daily basis.   Show Notes (Links of ours and guests):   Download a transcript of this episode at twloha.com/podcast.   Follow TWLOHA on social media at:   twitter.com/TWLOHA instagram.com/twloha/ facebook.com/towriteloveonherarms/   Visit our FIND HELP page of mental health resources at twloha.com/find-help/.   Get connected for free, 24/7 to a trained crisis counselor via Crisis Text Line by texting TWLOHA to 741741.   Connect with our team by emailing podcast@twloha.com.   Learn more about the podcast and previous episodes at twloha.com/podcast.   For a collection of articles, books, and videos on learning and practicing antiracism, visit  twloha.com/blog/an-invitation-to-learn-and-practice-antiracism/.    For a list of BIPOC-specific mental health resources go to  twloha.com/blog/bipoc-mental-health-resources/.    Visit store.twloha.com/ to purchase merchandise that supports TWLOHA’s mission.   Download The Hopeful, a free daily-use self-care app from TWLOHA, at twloha.com/thehopeful/.   Credits:   This episode of the TWLOHA podcast was hosted by Chad Moses and produced by Rebecca Ebert. Music assistance was provided by James Likeness and Ben Tichenor.

Episode 412: “On Self-Awareness, Representation, & Defying Stigma” with Ricky Neal (from Crisis Text Line)

From the nonprofit To Write Love on Her Arms comes a new podcast about mental health and the things that make us human. Each episode will cover topics we tend not to talk about, including depression, addiction, self-injury, and suicide.

Self-Help

Health

Health & Fitness

The truth is that we lose someone to suicide every 45 seconds. It impacts every community on the planet. Suicide isn’t a bad word. We can and should talk about it because talking about it is how we quell stigma and silence the shame that has latched on to it for ages. Suicide has impacted and will impact so many. There are those we’ve lost to suicide, there are those who are thinking about suicide, there are those who attempt and survive, there are those who are grieving because of suicide, and there are those who are worried about someone they love considering it. We believe we all have a role to play in working to prevent these tragedies.    One piece of the puzzle that is suicide prevention is giving space for those who have been directly impacted by this epidemic, and that includes people who have lost those they love to suicide. Within the grief of losing someone, there are waves of guilt and waves of shame. Those continuing on in the aftermath are left with questions and often little to no answers. They might wonder why, they might ask what they could have done differently, and they might think it’s wrong for them to smile or laugh or hope ever again.    There is a common thread between the two individuals joining us on today’s episode. They have both lost sisters to suicide and they are both wanting and willing to exist in this awkward and vulnerable space for the sake of healing and hope and help. While they go about it in different ways, their goals are similar. Our two guests are none other than Billy Dwyer and Austin Andrew, and we are eager to introduce you to them.   Billy Dwyer (he/him) is a Licensed Social Worker who works as a Legislative Assistant for his personal Member of Congress in Washington, D.C. As a suicide loss survivor, he is passionate about sharing his sister's story and advocating for headache disorders. Billy is a proud TWLOHA intern alum and has helped represent the organization at events across the US. Beyond professional work, Billy enjoys being outside, drinking coffee, cooking, and lounging by the nearest body of water.   Austin Andrew (he/him) has studied outdoor adventure leadership and when he is not guiding, he can typically be found (or rather not found) outside riding his bike or climbing some mountain. Austin is the founder of a non-profit called We Shall Continue with Style, and is an ambassador for Kona Bikes and the Maxx G Foundation. Austin shares his story of living with grief after loss and works to support others through their own grief. At the present moment, he is cycling through the Americas on a bike.   Show Notes (Links of ours and guests):   Download a transcript of this episode at twloha.com/podcast.   Follow TWLOHA on social media at:   twitter.com/TWLOHA instagram.com/twloha/ facebook.com/towriteloveonherarms/   Visit our FIND HELP page of mental health resources at twloha.com/find-help/.   Get connected for free, 24/7 to a trained crisis counselor via Crisis Text Line by texting TWLOHA to 741741.   Connect with our team by emailing podcast@twloha.com.   Learn more about the podcast and previous episodes at twloha.com/podcast. Download TWLOHA’s daily-use self-care app, The Hopeful, at twloha.com/thehopeful/.  To read Billy Dwyer’s blog, go to https://twloha.com/blog/author/billy-dwyer/.  To read Austin Andrew’s blog, go to https://twloha.com/blog/author/austin-andrew/.  To learn about We Shall Continue With Style, visit https://www.weshallcontinuewithstyle.com/.  For support for survivors of suicide loss, check out https://afsp.org/ive-lost-someone/.  Purchase a copy of Brene Brown’s “Daring Greatly” at https://brenebrown.com/book/daring-greatly/.    Credits:   This episode of the TWLOHA podcast was hosted by Chad Moses and produced by Rebecca Ebert. Music assistance was provided by James Likeness and Ben Tichenor.

Episode 607: "Suicide Loss, Sibling Grief, and Silencing Shame”

Whether it’s our own perceptions or what the media has designated, when it comes to fashion and clothing choices, we make quick assumptions based on what someone is wearing. All black? You must be emotional or depressed or troubled. Bright and light? You must be carefree and happy. We see people’s mental well-being placed into boxes based on what’s in their closets and on their bodies. At the same time, there’s also space for our fashion choices to express who we are and what we like.    To help us address the woes of using fashion as a mental health check, we’re joined by TWLOHA staff members Alex Jones and Amber Gardner.    Alex Jones (he/him) is an Ohio native and has been a designer at TWLOHA for seven years and counting. Alex grew up doodling on any scrap of paper that came his way and still enjoys creative pursuits like photography, illustration, and lettering. When he’s not slinging designs at work or at home, he can often be found at the nearest theater watching the latest Oscar winners or nominees or playing games like “Up and Down the River” with friends.   Amber Gardner (she/her) works as TWLOHA’s Director of Partnerships, and is originally from the Northeast but currently calls Nevada home. When she isn’t cultivating relationships with both companies + individuals invested in mental health advocacy, you can find her hiking with her dog Lola, growing her plant collection (she used to name them but no longer does), or traveling the world (her favorite place thus far is Snowdonia National Park in Wales). As for this year, Amber is most looking forward to visiting Italy.   Show Notes (Links of ours and guests):   Download a transcript of this episode at twloha.com/podcast.   Follow TWLOHA on social media at: twitter.com/TWLOHA instagram.com/twloha/ facebook.com/towriteloveonherarms/   Visit our FIND HELP page of mental health resources at twloha.com/find-help/.   Get connected for free, 24/7 to a trained crisis counselor via Crisis Text Line by texting TWLOHA to 741741.   Connect with our team by emailing podcast@twloha.com.   Learn more about the podcast and previous episodes at twloha.com/podcast. Download TWLOHA’s daily-use self-care app, The Hopeful, at twloha.com/thehopeful/.    Credits:   This episode of the TWLOHA podcast was hosted by Chad Moses and produced by Rebecca Ebert. Music assistance was provided by James Likeness and Ben Tichenor.   

Episode 606: "The Woes of Using Fashion as a Mental Health Check”

The term “therapy desert” is relatively new. Or at least, many people are learning about it for the first time. Because while talking about and even going to therapy has become way less stigmatized over the course of the last three years, there are still places without the resources, necessary infrastructure (like internet access and public transportation), and even the language to be able to access it. Therapy costs money, a lot of money, but how can you address the financial barrier when there isn’t even a counselor within a 60-mile radius of where you live? And to put this into a number perspective: There are currently 570 counties in the US without psychologists, psychiatrists, or counselors. That’s 17% of counties in the country.   To assist us in answering some questions about therapy deserts like: What are they? Where are they? And what can we do to address them? We’re joined by two wonderful folks that are bringing professional and personal experience to the mic.    Our first guest is JoAnn or “Jodi” Davis, who is an MS, LPC, and NCC that currently works at a comprehensive homelessness program in Texas. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences from Texas A&M; University and a Master of Science in Counseling from the University of North Texas. When not providing therapy or doing advocacy work, Jodi often volunteers at local therapeutic horsemanship programs. Jodi's favorite hobbies include drinking way too much coffee, cruising down backroads, and taking selfies with various dogs and farm animals.   And our second guest is no stranger to this podcast. Bianca Mujica is TWLOHA’s Community Care Coordinator, which means her work focuses on finding inclusive and creative ways to connect with supporters online. She is a Mexican-American queer woman from Texas with a background in journalism and a love for language. Outside of work, she can be found eating lots of pasta, cuddling with her dog, and creating colorful pieces of art.   Show Notes (Links of ours and guests):   Download a transcript of this episode at twloha.com/podcast.   Follow TWLOHA on social media at: twitter.com/TWLOHA instagram.com/twloha/ facebook.com/towriteloveonherarms/   Visit our FIND HELP page of mental health resources at twloha.com/find-help/.   Get connected for free, 24/7 to a trained crisis counselor via Crisis Text Line by texting TWLOHA to 741741.   Connect with our team by emailing podcast@twloha.com.   Learn more about the podcast and previous episodes at twloha.com/podcast. Download TWLOHA’s daily-use self-care app, The Hopeful, at twloha.com/thehopeful/.  To read blogs penned by JoAnn Davis, go to https://twloha.com/blog/author/joann-davis/  To read blogs penned by Bianca Mujica, go to https://twloha.com/blog/author/bianca-mujica/.    Credits:   This episode of the TWLOHA podcast was hosted by Chad Moses and produced by Rebecca Ebert. Music assistance was provided by James Likeness and Ben Tichenor.  

Episode 605: "Therapy Deserts: What Are They? Where Are They? What Needs to Change?”

Even before social media and influencers, celebrity culture has permeated our senses through magazines, billboards, advertisements, TV shows, and movies. We’re told what is and isn’t attractive or desired when it comes to the way we look on the outside. And now, with technology at our fingertips, with filters on nearly every image our eyes take in, and with products and routines that will supposedly transform us into the individual we’re admiring, it’s no wonder so many of us deal with dysmorphic thinking when it comes to our bodies.    In addition to body dysmorphia, there’s also body positivity and more recently, body neutrality. To explore all three of those things and more, we’re joined by Alex Jones and Auslyn James.    Alex Jones (he/him) is an Ohio native and has been a designer at TWLOHA for seven years and counting. Alex grew up doodling on any scrap of paper that came his way and still enjoys creative pursuits like photography, illustration, and lettering. When he’s not slinging designs at work or at home, he can often be found at the nearest theater watching the latest Oscar winners or nominees or playing games like “Up and Down the River” with friends.   Auslyn James (she/her), TWLOHA’s Director of People Operations, has spent a number of years honing her craft and is a Senior Certified Professional in Human Resources as well as Certified in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. When she isn’t doing all things HR, she can be found traveling, walking along the beach, hanging with friends, or video-chatting with her family. Auslyn is originally from the small island of Antigua but has spent the majority of her life living in NY before moving to Central Florida seven years ago.    Show Notes (Links of ours and guests):   Download a transcript of this episode at twloha.com/podcast.   Follow TWLOHA on social media at:   twitter.com/TWLOHA instagram.com/twloha/ facebook.com/towriteloveonherarms/   Visit our FIND HELP page of mental health resources at twloha.com/find-help/.   Get connected for free, 24/7 to a trained crisis counselor via Crisis Text Line by texting TWLOHA to 741741.   Connect with our team by emailing podcast@twloha.com.   Learn more about the podcast and previous episodes at twloha.com/podcast. Download TWLOHA’s daily-use self-care app, The Hopeful, at twloha.com/thehopeful/.  To read the blog by Claire Biggs mentioned in the episode, go to  https://twloha.com/blog/demi-lovato-is-only-human-recovery-relapse-and-response/.    Credits:   This episode of the TWLOHA podcast was hosted by Chad Moses and produced by Rebecca Ebert. Music assistance was provided by James Likeness and Ben Tichenor.   

Episode 604: "Body Dysmorphia in the Age of Filters + Celebrity Culture"

Mental Health Month is upon us and we’re in the midst of our Show Up For Yourself campaign which focuses on finding 20 minutes a day to care for things that relate to your heart, mind, body, and community. This can look like gentle movement, calling a friend, journaling, and deep breathing. While we’re putting an emphasis on small, accessible, and tangible ways that we can all show up for ourselves, there’s obviously a bigger avenue for us, if we have the resources, to tend to our mental well-being: Therapy.    So that’s what we’re talking about today. But this isn’t just about the rather cliche vision we all have when we think about therapy. A shrink sitting upright in a chair taking notes across from their patient who’s sharing their thoughts. Of course, there’s great value to talk therapy, but there are more options. And that’s a good thing because therapy is not one-size-fits-all. We all have varying experiences, varying abilities, and varying needs, so naturally the therapy that suits us best might look different than what we are familiar with and what TV shows and films project out into the world.    In today’s episode, we have the honor of exploring alternative therapy options, like Art Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy in particular, with the guidance of the wonderful and creative Alyse Ruriani.    Alyse Ruriani (she/they) is a queer femme art therapist, licensed professional counselor, illustrator, and person with lived experience. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design and a Masters in Art Therapy and Counseling. Alyse’s work aims to communicate information, provide tangible tools, and validate the human experience through engaging illustrations and designs. They live in a colorful apartment in Chicago with their black cat/co-therapist Boo. When Alyse is not working, you can likely find her swimming in some body of water, making art with friends, or hyper fixating on some new ideas.   Show Notes (Links of ours and guests):   Download a transcript of this episode at twloha.com/podcast.   Follow TWLOHA on social media at: twitter.com/TWLOHA instagram.com/twloha/ facebook.com/towriteloveonherarms/   Visit our FIND HELP page of mental health resources at twloha.com/find-help/.   Get connected for free, 24/7 to a trained crisis counselor via Crisis Text Line by texting TWLOHA to 741741.   Connect with our team by emailing podcast@twloha.com.   Learn more about the podcast and previous episodes at twloha.com/podcast. Download TWLOHA’s daily-use self-care app, The Hopeful, at twloha.com/thehopeful/.  Follow Alyse Ruriani on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/alyseruriani/.    Keep tabs on Alyse by visiting https://alyseruriani.com/.    Purchase a copy of The Big Feelings Survival Guide at  https://store.twloha.com/collections/accessories/books-and-journals.    Listen to “Look Up” by Paramore by going to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=By8xCnMkAQM.    Credits:   This episode of the TWLOHA podcast was hosted by Chad Moses and produced by Rebecca Ebert. Music assistance was provided by James Likeness and Ben Tichenor.   

Episode 412: “On Self-Awareness, Representation, & Defying Stigma” with Ricky Neal (from Crisis Text Line)

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