How to Deal With the Holiday Blues
Have you ever been less than enthusiastic about the holiday season? If so, please tune in to this episode. Jessica Krakowsky, a Licensed Clinical Clinical Professional Counselor with the Genesis Therapy Group discusses the “Holiday Blues” and provides strategies for coping during the holiday season.
Strength in Healing: A Conversation About Suicide
Lisa Guardiola and Veronica Cullinan, Sertoma Centre Community Outreach and Education Traners, interview Jennifer Arreola, a volunteer with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Illinois. Tune in to learn more about AFSP, suicide prevention resources, how to discuss suicide with children and Jennifer’s own story of how the death of a high school friend led to her becoming an advocate for suicide prevention..
Mental Health and the Female Soldier
Nicole Bowden and Nekohl Johnson bravely served their country, and both experienced some of the invisible wounds of war. In this episode, these women discuss their military experiences, challenges experienced, transitioning to civilian life, learning to address their own mental health and then using their experiences to help their fellow veterans. These women have learned how resilient they really are. Jess Heise, Community Engagement and Partnerships Coordinator at the Jesse Brown VA later joins the podcast to discuss some of the resources available to veterans.
TRIGGER WARNING: This podcast discusses military sexual trauma.
Veteran Podcast Resource List »
The Importance of Mental Health Advocacy
Dayna Lei first began to experience mental health struggles as a 14 year old high school student. The struggles continued as she navigated the adjustment to college. In this interview, Dayna discusses how stigma played a role in her delay in treatment, how parents might support their child who is struggling, and how she has used her experiences to advocate not only for herself but for others as well. Dayna has survived thoughts of ending her life and learned what she needs to do to take care of herself. Dayna also discusses the role NAMI (www.nami.org) has played in her recovery journey.
Depression and the College Student
Up to 30 percent of college students experienced depression in the last year. In this episode, Madison Myers, a senior at Trinity Christian College, discusses her extensive research on depression and shares her personal experience as a college student. Learn more about statistics, signs and symptoms, self care tips, resources accessible on campus, and much more. Join in today to be a part of the conversation!
Let’s Talk About the Impact of Alcohol Use Disorder
Listener Discretion- When Anthony was 10 years old, he began to experiment with alcohol and marijuana. By the time he was 15, he had an alcohol use disorder. Tune in to hear Anthony describe how his use of alcohol led him to make a decision that not only forever changed his life, but also significantly changed the lives of his family and friends.
Seeing Beyond the Label of Autism
As we wrap up Autism Awareness month, here is the latest podcast that includes an interview with Laura Pedro, the mother of a son with autism. When her son Geordon was first diagnosed, Laura knew nothing about autism outside of the movie “Rainman”. She quickly learned to advocate for her son and to set goals for him. Please share this episode with anyone you know who has a loved one with autism.
Let’s Talk About Maternal Mental Health
Up to 20 percent of women experience post partum depression within a year of giving birth. So how do we support new moms who may be struggling? Is it possible for the partner to also experience depression after a birth? Dr. Caren Cooper of Cooper Counseling in Houston, TX answers these questions and more in this important discussion about perinatal mental health.
Resources:
Cooper Counseling and Wellness »
Postpartum Support Interntional (PSI) »
The Myth of Self-Care
Is self-care a luxury or a necessity? Join Veronica Cullinan and Lisa Guardiola, Outreach and Education Trainers at Sertoma Centre, as they explore common misconceptions about self-care and also provide strategies for implementing a self-care plan to manage the stress associated with both the pandemic and the holiday season.
Let’s Talk About Improv
Angela Nino and Lisa Bany of the Improv therapy Group discuss the therapeutic benefits of Improv, some of the activities used in Improv and how they have personally benefitted from Improv.
Let’s Talk About Youth Suicide
Dr. Ucehnna Umeh, also known as Dr. Lulu, is a Youth Suicide Prevention Advocate. Dr. Lulu is an acclaimed author who has written several books and also hosts the podcast “Suicide Pages”. This episode features an interview with Dr. Lulu, who discusses her own childhood trauma, suicidal ideation, and how her life experiences with suicide have fueled her passion for working with youth who are struggling.
Let’s Talk About Recovery
Peer Support Specialist Ashley Staresinich grew up in a home with a father who returned from the Vietnam War with PTSD and a Substance Use Disorder. Ashley shares memories of what her childhood was like as well as her recovery journey as she dealt with her own mental health and substance use challenges.
Let’s Talk About OCD With Author Nora Carpenter
Highly acclaimed author, Nora Carpenter, speaks with host Gia Washington about Nora’s latest novel The Edge of Anything. This groundbreaking YA novel features a character living with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. Nora also discusses her own experiences living with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. If you would like more information about Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, please refer to the link below.
Resources on Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder »
Let’s Build Bridges: The Police Response to Mental Illness
Mental Health Advocate April Tolar and Officer Pete Hennessy of the Oak Lawn Police Department discuss police interactions with individuals living with mental illness.
How to Choose a Counselor and Why It’s Up to You
Gia Washington, LPC and Kurtis Simonich, LPC. Intern Supervisor at Sertoma Centre, Inc. explore what it’s like to go to counseling, how to choose a therapist, and how to actively participate in the therapeutic process.
Let’s Talk About Suicide
Gia Washington, LPC talks with Lisa Guardiola and Veronica Cullinan, Outreach and Education Trainers at Sertoma Centre, about the suicide epidemic. Veronica and Lisa discuss warning signs of suicide and how to support a person struggling with suicidal ideation.
Suicide Hotline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
Crisis Text Line: Text “Home” to 741741
Let’s Talk About Mental Health in the Midst of COVID-19
In this episode, Gia Washington, LPC and Sarah Wiemeyer, PsyD, LCPC, MT-BC, Director of Mental Health and Counseling at Sertoma Centre, Inc. discuss the impact of COVID-19 on mental health as well as one can manage stress and/or support a loved one who may be struggling. Below are some of the tips they discuss.
Tips for Managing Stress and Mental Health during COVID-19
Sarah Wiemeyer, PsyD, LCPC, MT-BC, Director of Community Mental Health and Counseling
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