Surfacing - The Meaning in the Story

Join us as Maryrose Mercurio and Moira Trachtenberg share about an exciting project that MHA has had the opportunity to get involved in.  Maryrose is coordinating the Fair Street USA exhibition, and Moira is one of the artists helping to produce the art, which will be utilized to convey critical information about fair housing and discrimination.  The goal is to raise awareness and provide resources to promote fair housing for all.  Listen in to get a behind-the-scenes view of how this is all coming together and visit the art installation at the end of the month! See below for more details:

Fair Street USA Art Exhibition and Block Party
White Plains Library Plaza
June 29th at 5:30 PM
Art, Music, Food, Information, Community and more!

Follow @cd_whiteplains on Instagram and @Fair Street USA on Facebook for more info and updates!

Jim Coyle is the musician behind the incredible music you hear in Surfacing's intro and outro.  In addition to his musical talent, he is also a dedicated employee of MHA's OnTrackNY program.  He works with young adults newly experiencing symptoms of psychosis, supporting them in pursuing their educational and employment goals.  His mission is to inspire hope in each individual and their family so that nobody experiences the damaging message that a mental health diagnosis means life stops moving forward.  He infuses his work with music, and after listening to this episode, you'll understand how his own family's experience gave him the passion to spread hope for recovery.

Learn More About MHA here: www.mhawestchester.org

Emily Grossman shares her powerful journey from struggling with bipolar disorder to thriving with bipolar disorder.  In addition to sharing how her greatest struggle became a springboard to her best self, her story also demonstrates the importance of instilling hope that recovery is available to all.  Her story illustrates how powerful the messages are that we receive about mental health and how these can be harmful or harnessed for good.  Emily talks about experiencing thoughts of suicide in this episode, so we want to remind all of our listeners that help is always available and that it's never the wrong time to reach out. 

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
Learn more about the Pathway Home program Emily discussed: Pathway Home™ – CBC (cbcare.org)
Learn more about MHA here: www.mhawestchester.org

Sharon McCarthy is the volunteer Program Coordinator at NAMI Westchester.  NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) is an organization that provides support and education in the community to individuals and families impacted by mental health concerns.  Sharon uses her own story of supporting her daughter through her recovery to illustrate the impact on families when a loved one is struggling with mental health.  She shares insights on common experiences for caregivers and the importance of family peer support. 

This episode includes discussion of suicide and we want to remind you that help is always available at the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.    Lifeline (suicidepreventionlifeline.org)
1-800-273-TALK

Learn more about NAMI Westchester: National Alliance on Mental Illness | Health Organization (namiwestchester.org)

Learn more about MHA Westchester: www.mhawestchester.org

Mike Ahearn from Wellbridge Addiction Treatment and Research joins us today to discuss his journey to recovery and how this has influenced his career today.  He covers a lot of ground during the episode, from his struggles with identity development in adolescence, to the challenges of entering adulthood, and how these and other factors contributed to a battle with addiction.  He then shares how he found self-esteem, meaning and joy in his recovery. He reflects on his gratitude for the life he has, while also offering genuine reflection on the grief and survivors guilt that co-exists with that gratitude.  His contagious energy and genuine emotion will pull you in and leave you feeling uplifted, hopeful and perhaps better able to understand the complex experience of those facing addiction.

To learn more about Wellbridge: www.wellbridge.org

To learn more about MHA: www.mhawestchester.org

China Darrington joins Jenna and Dillon today to share a powerful story of recovery that turned into a passion for advocacy.  China is the Director of Advocacy and Public Policy at Thrive Peer Recovery Services in Ohio, where she uses her knowledge, voice and passion to impact the larger systems that influence how behavioral healthcare is delivered.  Her story delves into some sensitive topics that we want listeners to be aware of, including sexual trafficking.  It’s incredibly important to have these conversations so that we can improve our responses and prevention efforts. China’s story also beautifully illustrates the impact of asking what happened instead of what’s wrong with you?  She weaves in powerful metaphors that bring her experiences to life and offers her thoughtful views on how we can do better as a nation to respond to those with behavioral health challenges. 

Here’s where you can find out more about Thrive Peer Recovery Services and some helpful resources: 

Thrive Peer Recovery Services: https://thrivepeersupport.org 

Human Trafficking Help and Resources: https://ovc.ojp.gov/program/human-trafficking/overview 

Find out more about MHA here: www.mhawestchester.org

Dillon Browne is the Coordinator of Peer and Recovery Services at the Sterling Community Center, a program of MHA Westchester, which is located in White Plains, NY.  Dillon came to MHA 7 years ago as an intern, and since then has dedicated his time to creating community amongst the participants of Sterling so that everyone can experience the transformative power of meaningful connection.  He describes how his own life experience taught him the importance of connection and community, and it becomes clear through his story where his passion and commitment come from.

Learn more about MHA here: http://www.mhawestchester.org

State Senator Chris Kolker was a prime sponsor of the 988 legislation that would implement the three digit number for crisis response services in Colorado, making the suicide prevention lifeline even more accessible for those experiencing a behavioral health crisis.  While there was broad support for this legislation, hearing the story of why it is so meaningful to Senator Kolker will bring a whole new appreciation to his work in suicide prevention.  Listen in as he shares his story, including a lifelong struggle with depression, battling stigma, and using his political platform to normalize conversations and education on mental health.

This episode contains discussions about suicide and suicide prevention.  Please know that if you or someone you know is experiencing thoughts of suicide, help is always available through the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. 

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

Find out more about Senator Kolker: Chris Kolker | Colorado General Assembly

Find out more about MHA: www.mhawestchester.org

We have another amazing MHA employee on the podcast today, Eric Teitelbaum, a clinician in our Children’s Services division.  It is always so inspiring to learn what drives a person to seek a career in helping others, and Eric’s story makes it clear why he’s so passionate about what he does.  His story reflects the power of resilience and demonstrates the reason why Eric has the hope and belief that resilience is possible for anyone. 

Find out more about MHA here: www.mhawestchester.org

Martin Gromulat, MHA Peer Specialist, shares the compelling journey that took him from lawyer, to environmental conservationist, to peer specialist.  He shares how his own lived experience turned him into a fierce advocate for mental health.  His passion for ensuring that those in mental health crisis receive the right care at the right time is what changes lives and systems.

Find out more about Martin on his Linkedin profile https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-a-gromulat-esq-1a408758/

Find out more about MHA here: www.mhawestchester.org