The traditional wisdom of indigenous cultures often contradicts modern views about a mental health crisis. Is it a ‘calling’ to grow or just a ‘broken brain’? The documentary CRAZYWISE explores what we can learn from people around the world who have turned their psychological crisis into a positive transformative experience.  In episode four of Mad Wisdom I talk to Phil Borges, the documentary's director about what he learnt making the film - particularly in following the film's two main characters, Adam and Ekhaya - and the powerful lessons ancient Eastern wisdom can teach us in the West. In this episode we discuss:How such a stark contrast between Eastern and Western treatments of mental health came aboutWhat can we learn from the shamansWhat a combination of East and West might look like in modern mental health treatmentTo watch CrazyWise or learn more about Phil's work, please go to: www.crazywisefilm.com, or visit Phil's own website at: www.philborges.com.            

Phil Borges - Is it a mental breakdown or is it a spiritual wake up?

My name is Debs and I want to welcome you to Mad Wisdom, a podcast designed to investigate and create a new conversation around mental health. One filled with compassion and hope. Having been on a long journey with my mental health (including a number of different diagnoses and various medications) I decided to turn my back on the mental health system and take the wellbeing of my mind into my own hands. More and more of us are being diagnosed with mental illnesses and disorders and being put on medication (1 in 4 people in some communities in the west are now on anti-depressants) and this podcast is for anyone who wants to challenge the belief that we are suffering from a 'chemical imbalance'  and find other ways to handle the emotional distress which comes as part of being human.I'll be looking at the language of mental health (disorder, illness, diagnoses, drugs), the ways in which the mental health 'sector' has grown and how we can create a new way of describing what most of experience at some point in our lifetime.  I'll be talking to doctors, psychaitrists, authors, scientists, people with lived experience of diagnosis, those who have recovered, and those determined to do so.  I'll also be looking at how different cultures and societies view mental health, and learning from parts of the world where rates of depression and anxiety are particularly low.  I believe we are born with innate mental health and that our societal structures are taking us further and further away from this norm.  I hope you'll join me and we can take our minds into our own hands.

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In episode 3 of Mad Wisdom I talk to Eric Maisel PHD, therapist, coach and author of 'The Future of Mental Health' and 'Humane Healing' (out on 19 October). In this powerful and sometimes shocking conversation, Eric talks about:The relentless power of the DSM and the collusion in the current mental health systemThe terrifying news that mental 'illnesses' may soon be treated BEFORE they are diagnosed - based on prediction and family historyHow we should drop the idea of the 'psychologist and 'psychiatrist' and instead move towards a 'human experience specialist' - someone who understands all of human life.My thanks to Eric for his honesty and depth of insight.   

Eric Maisel - Our Broken Mental Health System

In this second episode of Mad Wisdom I talk to James Moore who hosts and produces the Mad in America Podcast.  James has experienced the psychiatric system and psychiatric drugs first hand following a stress related breakdown. Believing himself to be fundamentally broken, he spent many years on psychiatric medications before awakening to the reality that psychiatry has few answers for human difficulties. James campaigns to raise awareness of the difficulties that many have when they want to stop taking their psychiatric medications. In this episode James talks about the stuggles involved in speaking up at work, how being honest about how you feel is crucial, and how his creativity could have been the only therapy he ever needed. 

James Moore, Mad in America

In episode 1 I introduce myself, my story, and share why I am passionate about challenging the myths of mental illness and empowering people to take the health of their mind into their own hands. (NB; I call the podcast 'Mental' in this episode which was the original name before becoming 'Mad Wisdom'. )

Phil Borges - Is it a mental breakdown or is it a spiritual wake up?

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