Dawes & Holden (2017) assert, "There's no health without mental health." In order to raise awareness about the mental health issues affecting the BIPOC community, July has been observed as "National Minority Mental Health Awareness" month. Minoritized and marginalized individuals experience a number of challenges in addressing mental health issues such as: racism, discrimination, inadequate resources to access health care, well founded distrust of the medical system and cultural stigma. In lieu of such barriers, prioritization of our mental health is not a luxury we can't afford, it's a necessity. Tune into the podcast via www.talkingwithdrtoy.com

Have you ever asked the question, why there seems to be a pattern of attracting the same toxic people in your life? We must remember we are flawed human beings and therefore we all have issues. However, does a pattern persist in your life where there's a struggle in attracting and maintaining healthy, not perfect, relationships? Sometimes, it may appear that life giving and mutually satisfying relationships allude you so the question is why? Tune into the podcast via www.talkingwithdrtoy.com

Interpersonal boundaries have been defined as a "rules or limits we set for ourselves within relationships." Boundaries are not the same as walls but can provide aspects of protection especially within toxic relationships. Some struggle with implementing boundaries for various reasons such as low self-esteem, insecurity, fear of conflict, or in some cases fear of abandonment or neglect, etc. Some assume boundaries are antithetical to care and love, but on the contrary, implementing boundaries demonstrates a level of care, wellbeing, and love for self and others. Tune into the podcast via www.talkingwithdrtoy.com

Detoxification is not only good for the body, but it is also good for the mind. Sometimes we just need a good mental health cleanse to rejuvenate our holistic selves. However, we must make space and time to conduct an assessment of the things or individuals in our lives that breed toxicity. Once identified, the time to take action is now and it must start with self and migrate towards others. Tune into the podcast via www.talkingwithdrtoy.com

Happy Father's day to all of those who have stood in the gap to be present for their families. This day similar to Mother's day can trigger a variety of emotions from happiness, gratitude, and thankfulness to resentment, bitterness, anger, grief, and sadness. My hope is that you make room for all of it because those emotions provide important messages to your being. Despite some of the biased gendered stereotypes regarding men and mental health, please take care of your holistic selves. Just like unresolved woundedness can infect relational dynamics, healing and well-being can also positively affect those same relationships. Tune into the podcast via www.talkingwithdrtoy.com

Unlike physical abuse, the wounds and scars from emotional abuse are often not visible to the naked eye, but internally the pain is just as real and debilitating. Relationships whether personal or professional are some primary sources where emotional abuse takes place. Emotional abuse such as gas lighting, manipulation, unrelenting criticizing, shame, and embarrassment can be very detrimental to individuals' self esteem, mental health, and perception of their own reality. Emotional abuse has been defined as a consistent pattern of abusive words and bullying behaviors which can be very subtle. Tune into the podcast via www.talkingwithdrtoy.com.

"Let us lay aside or let go of every weight...that so easily entangles us and run with patience the race before us." At first glance we may think it is as simple as putting down the weights, however, the issue may be limited insight regarding the weights we bear. For example, you may be able to name people pleasing as the issue, but what about the core belief the lies beneath such as, "I'm unlovable or unworthy of love and care", therefore you utilize accomplishment as a shied for validation and acceptance. It may be time to identify what lies beneath to move towards liberation. Tune into the podcast via www.talkingwithdrtoy.com.

Mental health issues are a reality and nurturing and cultivating protective factors are very important in preventing and improving mental health issues/symptoms. Protective factors have been defined as something that prevents problems and influences that make it less likely for individuals to develop mental health issues. There are various types of protective factors such as: Biophysical, psychological, social, and spiritual. For more information tune into the podcast via www.talkingwithdrtoy.com.

Mental health issues are a reality and awareness and attending to risk factors are very important in improving mental health. Risk factors have been defined as anything that creates problems and make it more likely for the development of mental health issues. There are various types of risk factors such as: Biophysical, psychological, social, and spiritual. For more information tune into the podcast via www.talkingwithdrtoy.com.

So many emotions, thoughts, and memories emerge when acknowledging particulate dates on the calendar. Mother's Day represents one of those days whether it be joy, love, admiration, inspiration, grief, disappointment, hurt, rejection, betrayal, hate, unadulterated heartache and pain. Hallmark may provide some beautiful expressions but somehow, it doesn't quite capture the complexity of this day that many experience. Motherhood and relational dynamics are complicated and it's okay to acknowledge the good, the bad, and the ugly. Tune into the podcast via www.talkingwithdrtoy.com.