In this episode of the 2025 NAMI New York State Next Gen Podcast, host Taylor Locke speaks with Victoria Treadwell – a student at the University at Albany, certified surgical technologist, pilot trainee, marathon runner, and 2023 Miss New York State for America Strong. As an overdose survivor and passionate advocate, Victoria shares her powerful story of hope, determination, and using her platform to challenge stigma around substance use disorder.

In the first episode for the 2025 NAMI New York State NextGen Podcast, host Taylor Locke sits down with Isaac Lara - NAMI National NextGen Advisor, full-time research assistant at Harvard Medical School's Mental Health for All Lab, and advisor to the World Health Organization. From his personal healing journey to leading global mental health initiatives, Isaac shares powerful insights on peer support, youth advocacy, and the future of mental health. Don't miss this inspiring conversation on how young voices are at the front of empowering change.

NAMI NextGen member Daniella Ivanir interviews Ava Smithing, a youth advocate for safer tech and youth mental health. Ava shares what it was like growing up as part of the first social media generation, her struggles with online harms, and the turning point that led her to protect future generations. They discuss the toll of advocacy, pushing back against profit-driven systems, and mobilizing a youth-led movement.

Produced by Daniella Ivanir, Haley Amering, and Brad Gage

Compared to other generations, I think youth have come a very long way in acknowledging and working to better mental health. However, there are certain trends we see on social media with good intentions, but harmful consequences. Today we're talking about self- diagnoses of mental illnesses and the prominence of "therapy speak." We had the pleasure of talking with Lorenzo Lorenzo-Luaces who is Associate Professor Psychology at Indiana University, and is giving their input on the subject. Those on tiktok and other social media platforms have likely seen some version of both these things, but why are these harmful and what can we do to address them? It's an important area of mental health to discuss because of its incredible accessibility, and one doesn't even need to search to find information about it. While social media has done great things for advocacy and awareness, it may have gone too far, which we will discuss and think about on this week's podcast!

Produced by: Alyssa Sawicki, Brad Gage, and Haley Amering

Edited by: Brad Gage

Can modern mental health practices coexist with your religious beliefs? NAMI New York NextGen member Sarah Dorme dives into understanding why mental health issues aren't accepted within Christian culture, and other stereotypes that churches may hold against psychology. This episode will cover the stigma between religion and mental health. Harnessing the spirit of the next generation, this podcast explores personal experiences through the lens of how NAMI and the mental health community are serving their community. This Episode is Produced by Sarah Dorme, Haley Amering, and Brad Gage. It features the voices of Sarah Dorme and Shenia Thompson. NAMI NYS NextGen Council is: Ijeoma Okoro, MacKenzie Wood, Connor Dalgaard, Georgie D'Avanzo, Sarah Dorme, Shannon Goria, Ian Gray, Daniella Ivanir, Tamahina Pierrot, and Alyssa Sawicki

In this episode, NextGen NYS member Mackenzie Wood interviews Shannon Goria (24) on her recovery journey with Anorexia Nervosa as a high school and Division I cross country and track athlete. Shannon's story includes signs and symptoms that someone is struggling as well as going more in depth on the pressure to perform and how that can exacerbate the development of eating disorders among athletes. The episode goes in detail about body image within the world of sports, the long term effects and consequences that eating disorders can leave on the athlete, and prevention strategies that can be taken within sports organizations and institutions to prevent the development of eating disorders among athletes. Shannon and MacKenzie also cover what support systems can be helpful for the recovery process, and why it is so important to break the stigma surrounding eating disorders in sports culture.

Harnessing the spirit of the next generation, this podcast explores personal experiences through the lens of how NAMI and the mental health community are serving their community.

This Episode is Produced by Shannon Goria, MacKenzie Wood, Haley Amering, and Brad Gage

NAMI NYS NextGen Council is: Ijeoma Okoro, MacKenzie Wood, Connor Dalgaard, Georgie D'Avanzo, Sarah Dorme, Shannon Goria, Ian Gray, Daniella Ivanir, Tamahina Pierrot, and Alyssa Sawicki

It's no secret that college students are stressed. In this episode, NAMI-New York State NextGen member Connor Dalgaard is joined by Wesley Dixon (Vassar College) to investigate the intersection between college students, mental health, and institutions of higher education themselves. The episode features discussion about changes to the climate surrounding mental health on campus, possible institutional interventions, and the barriers to care that students face. Taken with the empirical evidence and literature, it has become increasingly important to foster dialogue surrounding college students and their mental health. Further work to center student and employee perspectives on mental health on college campuses is crucial.

Harnessing the spirit of the next generation, this podcast explores personal experiences through the lens of how NAMI and the mental health community are serving their community.

This Episode is Produced by Connor Dalgaard, Brad Gage and Haley Amering

NAMI NYS NextGen Council is: Ijeoma Okoro, MacKenzie Mae, Connor Dalgaard, Georgie D'Avanzo, Sarah Dorme, Shannon Goria, Ian Gray, Daniella Ivanir, Tamahina Pierrot, and Alyssa Sawicki

Welcome to the first episode of "Youth Voices in Mental Health" - a podcast produced by and about the personal experiences of NAMI New York State's NextGen Youth Council. NAMI NYS NextGen is a 10-person, lived-experience young adult advisory group dedicated to guiding the world toward kinder, innovative, and inclusive outcomes for mental health youth and young adults.

This episode is a discussion about the ways social media is changing the behavior, style, and self-image of Gen Z, and what can be done to find healthier habits. The group shares tips on how to effectively take a break from social media, and how to reframe your relationship with your phone so you can be more self-aware when using it.

Harnessing the spirit of the next generation, this podcast explores personal experiences through the lens of how NAMI and the mental health community are serving their community.

Produced by Brad Gage and Haley Amering

NAMI NYS NextGen Council is: Ijeoma Okoro, MacKenzie Mae, Connor Dalgaard, Georgie D'Avanzo, Sarah Dorme, Shannon Goria, Ian Gray, Daniella Ivanir, Tamahina Pierrot, and Alyssa Sawicki