Mental Health Download: Exploring Mental Illness, Suicide, Homelessness and Incarceration (MHAOK)

Today our guest is Kristy K. Boone. Kristy is from Oklahoma City but she’s kindly come to Tulsa to record this episode in our studio.

Kristy’s primary passion is teaching others how to communicate with empathy and authenticity in a digital age. Her passion also translates into her corporate interactive workshops, adapting improv-based exercises. Kristy is also a professional improviser, actor, writer and badass. I added the badass part to her bio.

On this episode, Kristy’s going to explain how improv soothes anxiety and builds resilience, something we could all benefit from.

She’s also going to give you tips on how to be a better co-worker by realizing that the secret of thriving in any workplace is compassion. But that’s a lot easier said than done, so Kristy has an amazing two-hour Connectivation training she’s offered to businesses of various sizes and even nonprofits like Mental Health Association Oklahoma.

During her Connectivation training here at the Association, Kristy highlighted areas in which our staff could interject improv to improve their work lives and beyond. I’ve never heard people rave more about an All Staff training like that one.

I’m excited she’ll be presenting a 90-minute version of the Connectivation training at our Zarrow Mental Health Symposium coming up October 3 & 4 in Tulsa. This year’s theme is RESILIENCE. RECOVERY. RETHINK MENTAL HEALTH. Register at zarrowsymposium.org.

This week’s episode is sponsored by The Anne and Henry Zarrow Foundation, a philanthropic entity dedicated to lifting Tulsans out of poverty by supporting housing and shelter resources, social services and basic human needs, accessible healthcare, and programs that empower and inspire community members to improve their lives.

Today, we have Mental Health Association Oklahoma’s Chief Programs Officer, Mark Davis talking with Dr. Xavier Amador, Co-Founder and CEO of the Henry Amador Center on Anosognosia and Founder of the LEAP Institute. 

Dr. Amador is an internationally renowned clinical psychologist and forensic expert, and he is the author of 9 books, including the best seller, “I AM NOT SICK, I Don’t Need Help!”

Additionally, he is a keynote speaker at the 2023 Zarrow Mental Health Symposium, themed New Horizons in Brain Science.

We are grateful to have Dr. Amador on today, and we’re excited to share this insightful and engaging conversation between him and our own Mark Davis.

On today’s episode, we’re in Oklahoma City to interview three city councilors about the historic Maps 4 vote.

The 1-cent sales tax that passed will be used to fund 16 civic projects estimated to cost nearly $978 million. This includes $50 million for affordable housing. $40 million will provide new mental health and substance abuse services designed to relieve pressure on the Oklahoma County jail. And $17 million will be used for a “diversion hub” to also relieve pressure on the Oklahoma County jail. This hub will work with low-level offenders to provide a diversion away from jail.

Now, to introduce our guests,

James Cooper, of Ward 2, formerly served as an Oklahoma City Public Schools teacher, and is a published writer. An AVID middle school college preparation teacher, James also works as an adjunct Film Studies professor at Oklahoma City University, where he serves on OCU’s Arts and Sciences Advisory Board.

JoBeth Hamon serves Oklahoma City's Ward 6. Many of you also probably know JoBeth, or JB as we call her, as the amazing Education Coordinator for Mental Health Association. She plays a pivotal role in organizing our annual Zarrow Mental Health Symposium coming up October 1 and 2, 2020 in Tulsa. Learn more about the Symposium at zarrowsymposium.org

And finally, Nicki Nice serves Ward 7. She's the 10th woman, and the second woman of color, to serve on the Council since the City's incorporation in 1890. She is a well-known television and radio personality with nearly 15 years of on-air experience in the Oklahoma City market.

I am probably one of the most blessed people to come out of the building alive. I say that because I have no memory of that day and in getting to know others that were there, they seem to have a much harder time recovering from their memories than I did from my physical injuries. — Susan Walton, OKC Bombing Survivor

In this podcast, you’ll hear stories from a survivor of the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing, a firefighter and the grandmother of a survivor who was just a baby that horrible day. We are grateful for their courage and willingness to share these heartbreaking stories with us.

We’ve invited Tahira Taqi back to talk about her work as the Senior Project Manager for Urban Strategies on the Eugene Field choice neighborhood project here in Tulsa.

Tahira will give us all the details, but, in short, within 5 years, 25 acres of land will be cleared and rebuilt, as the Tulsa Housing Authority carries out the mandate of the $30 million federal grant to transform the neighborhood on the west side of the Arkansas River.

The plans call for a mix of apartment styles, built around a neighborhood designed for walking, with a 5-acre park and a grocery store. The housing authority residents who are moving out during reconstruction will have the first chance to return once it's done.

Tahira is here to give us behind-the-scenes details about the project. And we asked Mark Davis to host this episode for two reasons. One is that he is the Association’s Chief Programs Officer. The other is because he once lived in an apartment complex in the Eugene Field neighborhood. And Mark understands the challenges people have faced there for decades.

NEW EPISODE > Vote Yes on SQ805 & Help End Decades-Long Prison Sentences for Nonviolent Crimes > mhaok.org/podcast

Prison is a band-aid. It doesn't solve anything for nonviolent offenses, for our low-level property and drug offenses.

The more resources that we can devote to actually stop criminal behavior and stop the cycle of crime, the stronger we are going to be as a state and the better off our children are going to be. — Sarah Edwards, president of Yes on 805 campaign

On this episode, Sarah Edwards, president of the Yes on 805 campaign, explains State Question 805.

SQ 805 does not give anyone a free pass. People convicted of nonviolent crimes can still receive the maximum punishment allowed, and judges and juries will still take previous crimes into account when sentencing. But piling on years of prison time far beyond the maximum for a nonviolent crime is unfair and doesn’t make us safer.

The Association has endorsed the Yes on 805 campaign.

Learn more at www.yeson805.org

Tahira Taqi is a proud American Muslim, community member and social justice advocate. She works as the Senior Project Manager for Urban Strategies on the Eugene Field choice neighborhood project and continues to be involved in area nonprofits and advocacy efforts.

In this episode, Mike Brose, CEO of Mental Health Association Oklahoma, talks with Tahira about racism, inclusion, mental health and what she hopes for the future.

Michelle Hand, a mother of two,  shares what it was like experiencing postpartum depression after having her second child. Her advice to mothers is to reach out for help if they're experiencing depression even if it is hard. 

Dr. Chandini Sharma, a geriatrician at Geriatric Center of Tulsa, talks with her friend and today's host, Jane Mudgett, about how food and fitness play a role in preventing dementia.

M.J. Clausen and Shelah Farley are two of our phenomenal staff members based in Oklahoma City. Together, they talk about what life is like for our street outreach team in a time of COVID-19 as it continues to reach out to people experiencing mental illness and homelessness. 

At the five score anniversary [of the Tulsa Race Massacre,] let us exhale and let us breathe freely, oxygenating our efforts on three fronts. One, healing our history, Two, making an appreciative inquiry into our past. And, three, recommending to diversity, equity and inclusion. If we do this, we will have honored the memory of one of our darkest days by illuminating it with a bright new light. — Hannibal B. Johnson

On today’s episode, we’re re-sharing Hannibal B. Johnson’s keynote address at the 2020 Zarrow Mental Health Symposium - Healing from Historical Trauma.

In Hannibal’s keynote titled "The 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre and Historical Racial Trauma," he explored the history of racial historical trauma in the United States and Oklahoma and discussed how we must think critically about our strategies for addressing the present legacy of historical racial trauma in America to pursue justice and healing.

People can move from homelessness to housing and self-sufficiency and employment, to all kinds of possibilities in the future. We can't do any of this without our unique donors now or in 2021. I'm so proud and grateful to let them know how valuable they are to us and the impact that they're having on their community. -- Terri White

We’re celebrating the end of 2020 by reflecting on the bright side of an unprecedented year we are so glad is almost over. To celebrate, Kristy  Sturgill, the Association’s director of Marketing, talks with the  Association's CEO, Terri White, about just a few of the ways our supporters' compassion and generosity made a difference during the pandemic.

DONATE TO MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION OKLAHOMA'S RELIEF FUND AT MHAOK.ORG

On today's episode, our guest is Becky Gligo, who is the Housing Policy Director for the City of Tulsa. Greg Shinn, our Associate Director and Chief Housing Officer, interviews his friend and collaborator, Becky. 

Be sure to tune in around the 17-minute mark to hear Becky talk about the City of Tulsa's response to helping people experiencing homelessness during this challenging time.

Our guest is the internationally known portraitist Joel Daniel Phillips. His 2018 hardcover book of brilliant art is called “No Regrets in Life.” It includes his larger-than-life drawings of people “living on the margins” in San Francisco. Joel’s drawings have been exhibited at institutions and galleries across the United States as well as abroad, including the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery and, of course, in Tulsa.

Joel is currently a Fellow at the Tulsa Artist Fellowship. The Tulsa Artist Fellowship was established in 2015 by the George Kaiser Family Foundation with a vision to recruit and retain professional artists to Tulsa.

Learn more about Joel at https://www.joeldanielphillips.com/

Today we’re talking with award winning journalist Joshua Dulaney. He joined The Oklahoman in November 2016. In both 2018 and 2019 he earned newspaper writer of the year honors from the Great Plains Journalism Awards.

We asked Josh to be on the show today because he’s the host of the Oklahomans’ podcast, the United States of Oklahoma, a podcast exploring the people of Oklahoma. 

We’ll also talk about the stories he’s told over the years, including those about Oklahoma’s criminal justice system, among other topics.

Esmé Weijun Wang is the author of the New York Times-bestselling essay collection The Collected Schizophrenias and the novel The Border of Paradise, which was one of NPR's Best Books of 2016. Born in the Midwest to Taiwanese parents, Esmé lives in San Francisco. She will be a keynote speaker at our Zarrow Mental Health Symposium in October. We are thrilled that Esmé joined us for our two-part exploration of psychosis.  For this episode, we asked JoBeth Hamon to interview Esmé. JoBeth works for the Association, but she’s also a huge Esmé fan and was actually elected as a City Councilor in Oklahoma City.  OK, the mental health download starts … now.

Today, we're talking with Genaro - affectionately known as G - Pratcher, Employment Specialist for our Oklahoma City A Better Way program at Mental Health Association Oklahoma.

G is a longtime professional in the mental health field who had decided to leave the profession before being recruited by an Association case manager. In researching us, he saw that we were, in his words, “doing the work” and couldn’t help but join the team.

He just celebrated his one year anniversary with us, and since that time, he’s helped to make the A Better Way program the success that it is - employing hundreds of participants..

We are grateful to have G on, today, as he dives into the nitty gritty of what makes A Better Way work so well and what could help expand its reach.

On this week’s episode, our guest is the ever-amazing Dr. Jedediah Bragg, of the Anne and Henry Zarrow School of Social Work.

We asked Jedediah to be on the show because he is training his wonder dog, Koa, to be a therapy dog.

To be clear, Jedediah is not training Koa to be his personal therapy dog. Rather, he’s training Koa to be a therapy dog for the community. In essence, Koa is a furry social worker. 

You’re listening to the Mental Health Download from the nonprofit Mental Health Association Oklahoma. I’m Matt Gleason.

On today’s episode, our guest is Dr. Benjamin F. Miller, who serves as the Chief Strategy Officer for Well Being Trust. The Well Being Trust is a national foundation committed to advancing the mental, social and spiritual health of the nation. He’s also serves as a board member for Mental Health Colorado.

And Dr. Rebecca Hubbard, who serves as Mental Health Association Oklahoma’s Director of Outreach, Prevention and Education, is joining me today to interview Dr. Miller.

We asked Ben to be on the Mental Health Download because the Well Being Trust collaborated with the Kaiser Family Foundation on the fascinating research brief titled, “The Implications of COVID-19 for Mental Health and Substance Use.”

Key takeaways from the research include:

• Recent data shows that significantly higher shares of people who were sheltering in place (47%) reported negative mental health effects resulting from worry or stress related to coronavirus than among those not sheltering in place (37%). Negative mental health effects due to social isolation may be particularly pronounced among older adults and households with adolescents, as these groups are already at risk for depression or suicidal ideation.
  
• And the research shows that job loss is associated with increased depression, anxiety, distress, and low self-esteem and may lead to higher rates of substance use disorder and suicide.
  
• Additionally, poor mental health due to burnout among front-line workers and increased anxiety or mental illness among those with poor physical health are also concerns. Those with mental illness and substance use disorders pre-pandemic, and those newly affected, will likely require mental health and substance use services. The pandemic spotlights both existing and new barriers to accessing mental health and substance use disorder services.
  

READ THE RESEARCH BRIEF HERE: https://www.kff.org/health-reform/issue-brief/the-implications-of-covid-19-for-mental-health-and-substance-use/

Today we have Licensed Professional Counselor, Stacy King, interviewing Zarrow Mental Health Symposium keynote speaker, William Zangwill.  

Stacy has been in the mental health field for 29 years, where she has provided care for a diverse population. Stacy is trained in EMDR training and is currently working at a family-based treatment center and her private practice in Tulsa.  

Dr. William Zangwill is one of the original EMDR trainers, certified by Dr. Francine Shapiro. He has trained therapists in EMDR and other methodologies across the US, Europe, Asia and the Middle East; and his publications include “Combining EMDR and Schema Focused Therapy,” “The Need to Strengthen the Mindfulness Component of EMDR” and a chapter on sexual victimization in “Our Sexuality.” Currently, Dr. Zangwill practices in New York where he conducts EMDR trainings and specializes in the treatment of PTSD and sexual, marital and family problems 

We are thrilled that he is one of our keynote speakers at this year’s Zarrow Mental Health Symposium, and we are so excited that he joined us on the podcast. 

It is important to note that the conversation includes a brief story regarding sexual assault. While it’s valuable and relevant dialogue, we understand that it can be difficult for some listeners.  The Mental Health Download starts now. 

Prior to the Zarrow Symposium, I thought Milwaukee was pretty far along but Milwaukee and many other American communities can learn so much from the work underway in Oklahoma: racist historical trauma; indigenous historical trauma; white rural Okie dustbowl historical trauma. — John Schmid, journalist and historical trauma expert

***

On this episode, we talk with John Schmid, an award-winning writer from Milwaukee. John is a historical trauma expert who attended this year's Zarrow Mental Health Symposium.

Pat Cawiezell, of Magic City Books, joins Matt Gleason as they talk about some of their favorite books on the Magic City Books' list of Mental Health Association Oklahoma recommended books. 

See the list here! 

https://bookshop.org/lists/mental-health-association-book-list

On today's episode, we are featuring audio from a special Facebook Live event about the Mental Health Association Oklahoma support group  "Coping with Trauma from Racial Injustice." It features the group's facilitator Carmen White Janak and Rebecca Hubbard, the Association's director of Outreach, Prevention and Education.

Coping with Trauma from Racial Injustice Support Group Meets at 7 p.m.

Group begins June 15, 2020

This support group is for people dealing with the trauma and stress related to the racial injustices and the ongoing racial crisis in America. This will be a safe healing place for listening, sharing, growing and learning. Now is the time for change. Join us as we provide space for truth and healing.

To register for this support group, visit https://mhaok.org/racial-injustice

"I tell everyone, the question isn't, 'Why are so many opioids available in Oklahoma?" The question should be, "Why do so many Oklahomans want to take opioids?' " -- Dr. Jason Beaman

Our guest is Dr. Jason Beaman, chair of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences.

We talk about the university's virtual Addiction Medicine Conference. Click for details. 

 and Dr. Beaman's Zarrow Mental Health Symposium session titled “Historical Trauma & Addiction.”

Register today for the Zarrow Mental Health Symposium at zarrowsymposium.org.

On today's episode, our guest is Andrew Funderburk. Andrew is the mastermind behind "Underpass — The Musical," which will be on stage at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center this summer.

"Underpass" is Andrew's original musical about two individuals, one stuck in one place in life experiencing homelessness and the other one stuck in one place at work. The musical is all about them coming together over the commonality of being human. And before we get started, and just encourage everyone to go search for underpass, the musical on Facebook, be sure to like that page and, and do everything you can to support this musical and support the idea that yes, we are all humans.

Listen and read transcript highlights at mhaok.org/podcast.

Shannon Stephens is an Oklahoma City based yoga and meditation teacher. Shannon is a 500 hour registered yoga teacher, therapeutic specialist, and assistant teacher with the globally-recognized Yoga Medicine School. She is the owner of This Land Yoga, a yoga studio located in the heart of the Paseo Arts District in northwest Oklahoma City and co-founder of Awake OKC, a nonprofit whose mission was to bring mindfulness and meditation into the community. 

Shannon's twenty-plus years of practicing, studying, and teaching helps her cultivate compassionate awareness, both for herself and her students, and today, she will be sharing that same awareness with us. We have a short, but valuable conversation followed by a guided meditation intended to help us find focus.

Today, we're talking with Shay Seals, Service Coordinator for MHAOK’s Long Term Supportive Housing program in Oklahoma City. 

Shay recently celebrated her one-year anniversary with the Association after two bouts of homelessness and the realization that she wanted a more meaningful career.  

She and her young daughter spent too many months living out of her car (before a willful surrender), shelters and motels when she had the money. Shay’s story highlights the importance of financial management education and how so many people are only a paycheck or two away from homelessness 

Her story also shows how honest self-reflection, hard work, and most importantly, a solid support system, is integral to rebuilding your life. 

Her demeanor is grounding, her outlook inspiring.

We really appreciate how Shay uses her experiences for the benefit of others – both in her openness here and in the work she does every day. If you see someone experiencing homelessness, you let us know via the Street Outreach and Rapid Response page of our website: www.mhaok.org. 

On today’s episode, we’re going to explain why you should vote Yes On State Question 802 on June 30. Mental Health Association Oklahoma has joined the Yes on 802 Oklahomans Decide Healthcare movement to get Medicaid expansion passed in 2020 for nearly 200,000 Oklahomans.

Learn more at yeson802.org. Full disclosure, much of the statistics we’ll share today are straight from this brilliant website.

Your vote matters, so here are the days and times where early voting will be open at County Election Boards 

Friday, June 26: 8am - 6pm

Saturday, June 27: 9am - 2pm

Click the link  to find the early voting location closest to you - https://www.ok.gov/elections/documents/CEB_Physicial%20Addresses_%286-3-2020%29.pdf

Please vote, spread the word, and let’s win Medicaid expansion on June 30.

On this episode, we’re going to be talking about how Medicaid expansion would benefit the people Mental Health Association Oklahoma serves.

So my guests today are Selena Stockley, who serves as Mental Health Association Oklahoma’s new Chief Administrative Officer. She also oversees our advocacy efforts.

I’ve also invited Jacob Beaumont, the Association’s Director of Criminal Justice Reform, to be a part of the conversation.

OK, let’s get started. The Mental Health Download starts...now.

Jacob Beaumont starts off this meditation session, "Noting," with a powerful quote that helped change his life.

"Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom" ― Viktor E. Frankl, an Austrian neurologist and psychiatrist, and a Holocaust survivor

Welcome to part 2 of our exploration of psychosis. Today I’m so excited that our guest is psychosis expert, Dr. Jessica Bernard, of Texas A&M University.

Dr. Bernard’s research supports the theory that problems in a particular brain circuit contribute to the disorganized thinking seen in patients with schizophrenia.

She’s here to talk in detail about psychosis and to give us tips for people experiencing psychosis and their loved ones.

OK, let’s get to the interview. The Mental Health Download starts now.

On today’s episode, our guest is Katherine Sellery. She is a 3-time TEDx speaker, who has taught thousands of parents in Conscious Parenting Revolution and executives on conscious communication for over 16 years.

Her message is “Nobody teaches us how to manage our minds and we have got to get upstream.”

We’re going to talk with Katherine about meditation and mindfulness and psychological safety in families.

You can learn more about Katherine at https://www.consciousparentingrevolution.com/

OK, let’s get the conversation started. The Mental Health Download starts .. now.

Kassie McClung joined the staff of The Frontier nonprofit journalism organization in July 2016. In this conversation, Kassie talks about what it's like to report from the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic in Oklahoma. She also talks about taking care of her own mental health by, among other things, baking delicious bread.

DONATE TO MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION OKLAHOMA AT MHAOK.ORG/DONATE

"It occurred to me really early on that you don't get this job -- you're entrusted with this job"

- Mike Brose, CEO of Mental Health Association Oklahoma

Listen to episode one of "Mike Brose Reflects of Association History," our new multi-part series featuring the Association’s longtime CEO, Mike Brose, looking back on the history of the Mental Health Association dating back to 1955. 

Mike announced his retirement in late 2019 and he's talked about recording this oral history of the organization ever since. Now that his retirement nears, Mike took time out to discuss, among other things, how tragedies in his own life led him to become a social worker. Mike also talks about the father of our housing program, Bill Packard.

To honor Mike’s 27 years with the Association -- and support our ongoing statewide mission -- donate today at mhaok.org/mike-brose. Thank you in advance for your generosity!

On this episode, special guest host Jane Mudgett talks with Mark Wilson & Alison Anthony about Mark's addiction to alcohol, how their family helped Mark in his recovery, and the power of yoga. 

On today's episode, our guest is Sarah Bacon. She is a writer, rare disease patient & advocate. Most recently, New York Magazine published her covid-19 related story titled "I’m in the High-Risk 2 Percent. It’s Exhausting." LINK: https://www.thecut.com/2020/03/im-in-the-high-risk-2-percent-its-exhausting.html

We asked Sarah, who lives in New York City but is taking refuge in a Florida hotel, to talk about life during covid-19.

Additionally, I was particularly excited to talk about her truly remarkable Washington Post story titled "Anxious and depressed as a scary disease destroyed her lungs, she turned to ecstasy for relief. Here’s what happened." 

LINK: https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/anxious-and-depressed-as-an-ultrarare-condition-destroyed-her-lungs-she-turned-to-ecstasy-for-relief-heres-what-happened/2019/11/15/cda32bb8-da49-11e9-ac63-3016711543fe_story.html

In the story, Sarah explains that a healer she sees from time to time to quell her anxiety suggested she try MDMA-guided therapy.

The drug, which was banned in 1985, does have risky side effects, Sarah wrote.

In 2017, however, the Food and Drug Administration granted MDMA-assisted psychotherapy a breakthrough-therapy designation for post-traumatic stress disorder, setting it on a fast track for review in clinic trials and potential approval.

As of November 2019, when the story was published, Phase 3 clinical trials were underway across 16 sites in the United States, Canada and Israel. Participants have included first responders, military vets, and flood and sexual assault victims.

As Sarah explained, "During previous, smaller-scale phase 2 clinical trials, for which the data are complete, 68 percent of patients no longer “qualified” for PTSD diagnosis after 12 months, according to the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), a nonprofit research group that has funded the trials and worked with the FDA on the program. LINK: https://maps.org/

In the story, Sarah goes on to write that, quote, "My first MDMA-guided therapy session was among the more intense days of my life."

You can find Sarah online here: Twitter: @SarahHogate and Instagram: @Baconiste

"What we have, because brains wire in response to what happens between us - between me and another person, between me and my community, between me and my place of work - the locus of the dysfunction is not necessarily only in our brain. It may not even be mainly in our brain it's between us. And when we can heal what's sick between us, then the brain actually has a chance to use the biological things we're giving it. And the psychological tools that we're giving it to actually change. The implications of a bio-psycho-social disease is, if you are only treating the biological and psychological, then the unmet social, relational needs are like a weight or like an anchor and the boat can't move. We can't move to better waters because we're being weighed down. The system is constantly encountering more and more challenges to it."

On today’s episode, we interview Dr. Rachel Wurzman. Dr. Wurzman will be a keynote at this year’s virtual Zarrow Mental Health Symposium. She is the Director of Science for SeekHealing, a non-profit that is providing social connection-based interventions to make individuals and communities more resilient to opioid addiction and overdoses. Her ongoing research addresses the neuroscience of social health and how the biopsychosocial spectrum has for addiction treatment and policy. 

The theme for this year’s Symposium is Cultivating Community Connections and is coming up September 29 - October 1. You can register to attend the event at www.zarrowsymposium.org

We’d like to thank two of our Sponsors -  the Maxine and Jack Zarrow Foundation and the George Kaiser Family Foundation - for their ongoing support of the Zarrow Mental Health Symposium. 

"You're the only one of you that there is, and it's precious and beautiful and uniquely wired and deserves a break right now. So whatever that looks like, just go easy on yourself and take good care of you." -- Janetta Cravens

__________

On today’s episode, our guest is Janetta Cravens, vice president of programs for the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits.

The reason we invited Janetta on the podcast is that she wrote a beautiful COVID-19 related mental health story for the Center called, "Maybe It's the Weather, Maybe not: Mental Health For Leaders in a Season of Uncertainty."

Read that story now online at: https://www.oklahomacenterfornonprofits.org/maybe-its-the-weather-maybe-not-mental-health-for-leaders-in-a-season-of-uncertainty/

Andy Moore is the executive director of Let's Fix This in Oklahoma City. He's also the co-host of the Let's Pod This Podcast. Additionally, Andy is a licensed professional counselor. Andy joins us to talk about his Nondoc media story, "During the COVID-19 Crisis, Consider Your Mental Health."

Read the story here: https://nondoc.com/2020/03/27/amid-public-health-crisis-dont-forget-mental-health/

Today, we're talking with Collin Walke, Oklahoma House Representative of District 87 and local attorney.

Collin is a native Oklahoman, and attended Oklahoma State University before graduating magna cum laude at Oklahoma City University School of Law. A true public servant, he was a long-time volunteer with City Rescue Mission before both serving and chairing their board of directors. Additionally, Collin serves on the Oklahoma Autisim Center Foundation, as well as the Oklahoma City Philharmonic Associate Board.

Collin is a 20+ year meditation practitioner who was inspired by his own experience to study further and begin teaching. In 2019, he and recent Mental Health Download guest, Shannon Stephens, co-founded Awake OKC - a nonprofit centered on bringing mindfulness and meditation to the community.

We are excited to have Collin on, today, and have him lead us through a meditation centered on compassion and forgiveness.

It’s Monday, August 5, 2019 and we’re still reeling from the mass shootings that claimed 20 lives in El Paso on Saturday and another nine in Dayton, Ohio on Sunday.

A Surgeon General's Report on Mental Health found that the contribution of mental health conditions to violence in our society is very small. But  Gallup polling data from January, 2013 showed that 48% of adult Americans blame the mental health system “a great deal” for mass shootings in the United States. When there is an  incident of mass gun violence, mental illness is routinely discussed as a likely cause, and the rights and liberties of the up to 25% of Americans with mental health conditions are placed in jeopardy. 

In the aftermath of the tragedies, the news media often turns to our guest, Mike Brose, for ways the general public can cope with such dark events. Sadly, Mike has been answering these types of questions for decades, including in the aftermath of Columbine, Sandy Hook and, honestly, too many others.

Today, Mike explains the dangers of linking mass violence with mental illness.

On this episode, Greg Shinn, of Mental Health Association Oklahoma, discusses Tulsa's annual Point-in-Time Count of people experiencing homelessness. It was officially released during the recording of this podcast. This is the second of a two-part series on point-in-time counts in Oklahoma. The first episode featured Greg interviewing Dan Straughan, of the Homeless Alliance in Oklahoma City.

On today's episode, we're spotlighting the Tulsa Ballet Studio's production of "Between US 2 - Rewind." Based on true events, it captures the reality of show creator Nina Madsen Puckett’s struggle with mental illness, and incorporates author Francesco Granieri’s experience as a family member of someone with mental illness (as portrayed in his book, “Pavarotti and Pancakes”.)

Get all the show details here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/between-us-2-rewind-tickets-148685051993

On today’s episode, our guest is Theresa Nguyen. Theresa works for Mental Health America (MHA) to help people across the nation have greater access to mental health care through policy and programming. Along with supporting MHA’s federal and state policy agenda, Theresa manages various programs including MHA Screening, The State of Mental Health in America, and Workplace Wellness. 

Theresa’s also a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Her clinical experience focused on working with children and adults with serious mental illness, homelessness, dual diagnosis treatment, and early intervention of psychosis.

And, finally, Theresa co-hosts Mental Health America’s podcast called In the Open. It's where Theresa and her co-host, America, have open conversations about mental health. Some of their episodes include "Medication Makes Me Feel Worse," "Why Am I So Hard On Myself?" and "Am I Sad or Depressed?"

To listen to the podcast online, visit https://mentalhealthamerica.podbean.com/

To read Mental Health America's "The State of Mental Health in America," visit https://mhanational.org/issues/state-mental-health-america

Ashley Gunnells is hilarious but she's also experienced seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Ashley and our host, Matt, talk about how they cope with both the happy and the SAD. They offer plenty of tips from the National Institute of Mental Health and do a fair bit of giggling. This is one you don't want to miss.

"I couldn't help to think that, man, my great-great grandfather was running with my great-great grandmother and my great-grandfather in her belly during this time. They were running. They were experiencing what these people are experiencing in this series." —  Nehemiah D. Frank, The Black Wall Street Times

On today’s episode, we’re exploring the acclaimed HBO series, "Watchmen," and how it relates to Healing from Historical Trauma, which is the theme of this week’s virtual Zarrow Mental Health Symposium in Tulsa, Oklahoma. As many fans know, the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre plays a key part in the series.

Our guest is Nehemiah D. Frank. The Tulsan is the founding publisher and editor-in-chief of The Black Wall Street Times.

Read Nehemiah's piece on "Watchmen" by clicking here.

And you can register for the Zarrow Mental Health Symposium by clicking here.

On this episode of the Mental Health Download, Jake Glantz, Mental Health Association Oklahoma's advocacy specialist, reviews Oklahoma's 2019 legislative session. You'll hear about the state of mental health funding, criminal justice reform and more. 

Today our guest is our friend Joe Hight. Joe is a journalism professor, columnist, writer, consultant and a bookstore owner. His newspaper career as an editor, director, managing editor or reporter spanned for 35 years. His new book is “Unnecessary Sorrow: A Journalist Investigates the Life and Death of His Oldest Brother: Ordained, Discarded, Slain by Police.” It took Joe more than a decade to write and publish. The book will be launched at a special event in Tulsa, followed by an event in Edmond. Part of the proceeds from book sales will benefit Mental Health Association Oklahoma. At both events, Elena Hight, Joe Hight’s daughter, will perform “My Uncle, a song she wrote based on the book. LINK TO "MY UNCLE" VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfEeBkubhNg All the details are in this episode’s show notes. To give some background on the book, Joe has always wondered what happened to his oldest brother, Paul Hight, a Roman Catholic priest purged from the Church because of his mental illness and who was killed by police on his front doorstep. Joe weighed through thousands of pages of documents, including his brother’s own writings and a 150-page police report about his death. In the book, Joe spotlights the days when our mental health system often misdiagnosed and mistreated people suffering the most. BOOK LAUNCH INFO The book will be launched at a special event in Tulsa, followed by an event in Edmond. Part of the proceeds from book sales will benefit Mental Health Association Oklahoma. The official launch will be during an event with Magic City Books at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 17, at The University of Tulsa’s Allen Chapman Student Union, 3035 E 5th.  Matt Gleason will conduct an interview with Hight about his book. The Oklahoma City-area launch will be at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 19, at Best of Books, 1313 E Danforth in the Kickingbird Square Shopping Center. Hight and his family own the bookstore.

On this episode of the Mental Health Download, the CEO of Mental Health Association Oklahoma, Mike Brose, and host Matt Gleason talk with Sophie Pazzo. She's a Tulsa teenager who shares her thoughts on the stigma of mental illness, suicide and the critical role teens like her play in making a difference in the community.

Today's episode features Dr. Chan Hellman on the power of hope during the quarantine.

You’re listening to the Mental Health Download from the nonprofit Mental Health Association Oklahoma. I’m Matt Gleason.

On today’s episode, my co-host is fellow podcaster Anne Heinrich. She’s the vice President Of Development at Mental Health America of Eastern Missouri.

Anne and I are going to interview Anne’s friend, Jason Medows. Jason is the host of the podcast called Ag State of Mind. His podcast focuses on mental health and how it affects people involved in agriculture. He interviews both professionals and producers about addressing mental health in ag and how to adequately remedy the stresses.

Jason is a husband, father of 4 boys, rancher, and pharmacist. He lives in Crawford County Missouri and operates a 120 head cow and calf operation. He also works full time as a pharmacist at a regional hospital.

The Mental Health Download starts ... now.

Lea Speight, an ORU senior, and Cynthia Mooney join us to give their perspectives on what life is like for COVID-era youth and their parents. They offer tips and plenty of real talk.

Also, listen for details about this week's Empowered Voices listening sessions, April 21st and April 23rd from 4:30- 5:30p.m. via Zoom.

We want to improve youth and young adult’s quality of life through sharing experiences and working together for change.

Each person interested in participating must email lspeight@mhaok.org to receive the meeting ID and passcode.

Listen to the live audio from a special media event this morning in Tulsa at Friendship Church featuring Xavier Becerra, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, and local dignitaries. Together, they fought hard for voter-approved Medicaid expansion. More Oklahomans across the state will finally have health care coverage starting today, July 1. And more than 124,000 Oklahomans have already qualified for Medicaid benefits under the expansion. It's estimated that of the 200,000 Oklahomans who are now eligible for coverage, approximately 92,000 are in need of mental health and addiction treatment services.

Oklahoma City Councilmembers James Cooper, JoBeth Hamon and Nikki Nice hosted a Virtual COVID-19 Town Hall on mental health, accessing care and more.

In this episode, JoBeth Hamon and M.J. Clausen, both of Mental Health Association Oklahoma, talk about participating in the town hall. They also offer their highlights of the event.

To watch the full Facebook Live of the town hall, visit: https://www.facebook.com/cityofokc/videos/525844598107909/

Links to Resources in OKC:

https://heartlineoklahoma.org/

This Mx. Eden Nay quote says everything that needs to be said about this episode of the Mental Health Download:

"Focus on Black lives. Focus on queer Black lives. That's what I'm doing."

Mx. Eden Nay 
(Them, They)

To learn more about the Prism Project, visit http://www.ou.edu/tulsa/about/diversityandinclusion/lgbtq

In this mindfulness meditation, Jacob Beaumont focuses on self-compassion. 

"We may think of compassion as the solely outward-facing part of who we are and how we behave, but in reality, our ability to be genuinely compassionate towards others is linked closely to how compassionate we can be towards ourselves."

Listen to more sessions at Mental Health Association Oklahoma's website at mhaok.org/meditation.

Our guest is Jasha Lyons Echo-Hawk. She is a life-long justice seeker, community builder, and part-time marathoner. She is Two-spirit and a proud tribal citizen of the Seminole Nation, as well as a member of the Pawnee, Iowa, Omaha, and  Creek Nations. She carries the name Ti-tatatsiks-stariiku.

Jasha’s advocacy has largely been focused in rural Oklahoma and she has organized around such issues as healthcare access, violence against women, breast/chestfeeding advocacy, body sovereignty and birth justice,  food sovereignty, gun violence prevention, criminal justice reform,  Census & Natives Vote 2020, and as a former political candidate.

Jasha’s recent concentration is in the reclamation of birthkeeping and she has been honored to hold space for families and community as a trained  Birthworker and a student midwife. She has recently joined the team at the Tulsa Birth Equity Initiative as a Community-Based Doula &  Native Service Coordinator.

Additionally, Jasha has also helped to found Native Breastfeeding Week and is in pursuit of a Master of Legal Studies in Indigenous People’s Law at the University of Oklahoma’s College of Law. She maintains an active lifestyle with her spouse, Bunky, and their four children.

On today's episode, we are saying goodbye to our dear friend and leader, Wendi Fralick, who is Mental Health Association Oklahoma's chief administrative officer. We're both sad that she's leaving, but we're excited that she's also off to a new adventure with the Center for Individuals with Physical Challenges. Wendi is going to be the Center's new executive director! 

We love Wendi very much, and so we invited her on today's episode to look back on the highlights of her career with the Association and to just say "goodbye and we'll see you soon."

Damion Shade, of the Oklahoma Policy Institute, and Jacob Beaumont, Director of Criminal Justice Reform for Mental Health Association Oklahoma, discuss compassionate release from incarceration during era of COVID-19 

"The people who built Greenwood did so in an era where, you know, their options and their opportunities were very limited, but they were able to take, you know, something, and in many cases it was literally nothing, you know, it was bare ground, and turned it into a place that they were really proud of." -- Randy Krehbiel, author of "Tulsa, 1921: Reporting a Massacre"

On today’s episode, our special guest host is Hannibal B. Johnson, Zarrow Mental Health Symposium keynote speaker and author of "Black Wall Street: From Riot to Renaissance in Tulsa's Historic Greenwood District." And our special guest for this episode is acclaimed author and Tulsa World newspaper reporter, Randy Krehbiel.

Hannibal and I asked Randy to be on the show today to talk about his book, “Tulsa 1921: Reporting a Massacre,” which won the 2020 Oklahoma Book Award in the Non-Fiction category.

On this week's Mental Health Download podcast, Eden Nay talks in detail about The Prism Project, a far-reaching, needs-assessment survey that was commissioned to raise awareness about issues related to Tulsa's sexual and gender minority community, also known as the LGBTQ+ community. Read the Prism Report here:  http://www.ou.edu/tulsa/about/diversityandinclusion/lgbtq

Today, we're talking with Jon Haverfield, friend and client of Mental Health Association Oklahoma.

Jon is a native Tulsan who attended Bishop Kelley High School and the University of Oklahoma. After college Jon worked as a TV Meteorologist for 6 years including work at KJRH-TV in Tulsa as the Weekend Morning Meteorologist. During his time at Channel 2, tragedy struck, leading him to his work with MHAOK, including volunteer services and contributions to the 2018 Mental Health Awareness Campaign.

In 2019, Jon was awarded the Award For Excellence from the National Alliance of Mental Illness. Jon has since stepped away from TV and now works as a Financial Advisor with an office in Midtown Tulsa.

We are grateful to have Jon on, today, as he shares his story with us. It’s important to note that this conversation speaks predominantly to suicide. While it’s important dialogue to have, we understand that it could be difficult for some listeners.

Margaret (Maggie) Shaffer is Director of Public Policy for the Alzheimer's Association. In her current professional capacity Maggie works with advocates to move forward state and federal policy issues to support research to find a cure for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, and improve the care and support of caregivers. Maggie has previous experience in health and mental health policy, having spent several years researching, writing, and advocating for improved access to comprehensive, family-centered care. She is particularly passionate about furthering policies that support caregivers as she believes they play a crucial role in shaping the future of health care.

We are excited both for Maggie’s Zarrow Symposium presentation, which will cover research on the impact caregiving has on individuals, support programs available in Oklahoma, and policy implications of providing support to caregivers, and we are excited to share today’s conversation with us here.

What happens when someone is evicted from their home? For some the answer is buying a room at a hotel, which is what Shade and Sheryl did until they ran out of money. Then, it was buying a tent. In this episode, we wanted to give listeners a chance to join us, first, as we visited Shade and Sheryl the first day they moved into a new apartment thanks to adopt a home and then, second, after they’ve lived there for exactly one month. This story starts in their new kitchen, Sheryl stopped loading in groceries to tell us how they ended up living on the streets. 

Today, we're talking with Cian Brown and Evan Smarinsky, co-presenters at one of next month’s Zarrow Symposium Breakout Sessions.

Cian is an assistant professor in the University of Oklahoma’s clinical professional counseling program. He’s a licensed professional counselor and supervisor, depending on the state. He’s also nationally certified as a counselor and board certified in neurofeedback, and has done extensive work in the adventure therapy realm.

Evan is an assistant professor at Johnson and Wales University, as well as a licensed professional counselor in Oklahoma and a licensed mental health counselor in Rhode Island. Evan also has notable experience in the adventure therapy and play therapy realms.

We are excited both for Cian and Evan’s Zarrow Symposium workshop, which will blend lecture and experience to highlight key components and outcomes of Adventure Therapy, as well as their conversation with us here.

You’re listening to the Mental Health Download from the nonprofit Mental Health Association Oklahoma. Our guest is Brittany Hayes, policy director for the Healthy Minds Policy Initiative. On today’s episode, Whitney Cipolla, the Association's advocacy specialist, talks with Brittany about how exactly mental health is funded -- or not funded -- in Oklahoma.

On today’s episode, the Association’s very own Matt Dean and Michael Huber discuss how the adult animated Netflix series "BoJack Horseman" does, in fact, tell the story of an anthropomorphic horse named BoJack. But it also has a unique perspective on depression and addiction. And since we are all still spending time at home due to the COVID-19 pandemic, now would be a perfect time to binge 6 seasons on Netflix.

In addition, Michael Huber courageously shares his own journey with depression and anxiety and why Bojack does such a remarkable job of destigmatizing mental health and addiction.

Quick background on Matt Dean, he’s the Association’s brilliant graphic designer and Michael keeps the Association’s IT running smoothly, especially as we all work virtually from home these day.

OK, let’s get the conversation started. The Mental Health Download starts...now.

Business owner Eric R. talks to MHAOK about his struggles with mental health, addiction, and his suicide attempt.

He shares how he overcame those challenges and how he stays motivated in life today. 

This episode contains content that some may find triggering. 

If you or someone you know is experiencing thoughts of suicide, call the National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). 

On this week’s episode, our own resident movie expert, Michael Huber, interviews his former professor, Dr. Victoria Sturtevant, of the University of Oklahoma. Professor Sturtevant teaches courses on film history, theory and criticism.

After the Mental Health Download released an episode about how “The Joker” stigmatized mental illness, Michael asked Dr. Sturtevant to discuss the portrayal of mental illness and suicide in cinema. As a jumping-off point for their wide-ranging discussion, they start with the 1976 film, “Network,” which was a key inspiration for “The Joker.”

The classic film was honored with four major Academy Awards, including best actor and best actress.

It is best known for its famous line, "I'm as mad as hell, and I'm not going to take this anymore!"

We have to take better care of each other. We have to take better care of our most vulnerable. This ordinance is a moral failing on that front. It is a legal failing in the most fundamental ways. And it is a financial failing. And I think the city is finding out right about now that ego can be really expensive.

— Megan Lambert, staff attorney, ACLU Oklahoma

On today’s episode, we are going to be exploring Oklahoma City’s infamous anti-panhandling/median safety ordinance that the City of Oklahoma City passed in 2015.

On October 27, 2020 or possibly on November 10, 2020, it is up to the City Council to decide if they want to drop it and accept that it is unconstitutional or continue fighting to defend the ordinance and take it to the Supreme Court.

WE NEED YOU TO TELL YOUR CITY COUNCILOR YOU OPPOSE THE ORDINANCE!

FIND YOUR OKC CITY COUNCILOR HERE: https://www.okc.gov/residents/ward-map

Today, I am talking with Dr. Robin Aupperle, Elisabeth Akeman and Dr. Hannah Berg 

 

Aupperle is is a licensed clinical psychologist and Principal Investigator at Laureate Institute for Brain Research (LIBR) and Associate Professor at the University of Tulsa. Her research uses neuroimaging and behavioral measures to better understand approach-avoidance decision-making and mechanisms and predictors of psychological treatments for mood, anxiety, and trauma-related disorders. 

 

Akeman is a Licensed Professional Counselor currently serving as Lead Therapist and Clinical Research Coordinator for Dr. Aupperle’s treatment outcome studies at Laureate Institute for Brain Research. Her clinical training includes evidence-based interventions for anxiety, mood, and substance-use disorders with extensive training and experience in Behavioral Activation and exposure-based therapies. 

 

Berg is a Postdoctoral Research Scholar at Laureate Institute for Brain Research. Her research investigates clinical anxiety from a decision-making perspective, with the goal of contributing brain-based insights that improve the conceptualization and treatment of psychopathology. Her clinical training includes evidence-based interventions for anxiety, mood, eating disorders, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. 

 

 

I am thrilled to have all three of them on today, and I hope you find the conversation as fascinating as I did.

Welcome to the Mental Health Download from Mental Health Association Oklahoma. Each month on our program, we take on one of four themes that are too big to ignore: mental illness, suicide, incarceration and homelessness.

During this episode, Mike Brose, CEO of Mental Health Association Oklahoma, and our host, Matt Gleason, will explore what happened in the small Oklahoma town of Wilburton, Oklahoma after a cluster of suicides claimed the lives of young people and even a school teacher. Then, we’ll hear from Dr. Paul Quinnett. Dr. Quinnett is a clinical psychologist and President and CEO of the QPR Institute. Based in Spokane, Washington, the training organization is set on preventing suicides across the globe by teaching people a single question that saves lives from suicide. Learn more about Mental Health Association Oklahoma at mhaok.org.

"All these evil things are being done to us and around us, but we're still here and we're still fighting. And, you know, historically music has always been those kinds of roles,  in particular in war time. But it takes on a much more, I believe, intense meaning when it comes to people who know that every moment that deaths is around the corner for them." -- Drew Diamond, Presenter, Zarrow Mental Health Symposium

On today’s episode, our guests are Drew Diamond, executive director of the Jewish Federation of Tulsa, and Nancy Pettus, its director of Holocaust Education.

Drew and Nancy will be featured at the Zarrow Mental Health Symposium during their session, "Holocaust Music: Playing for Our Lives."

The story of music in the ghettos and concentration camps is the story of a people's capacity to endure the most horrific of circumstances.

Register today at zarrowsymposium.org.

Learn more about the Jewish Federation of Tulsa: https://jewishtulsa.org/

It's severe weather season and some people may be dealing with severe weather anxiety. Today on the podcast, Jon Haverfield talks to Steve Piltz, who is the meteorologist in charge of the National Weather Service. Jon and Steve give us ways we can cope and deal with severe weather anxiety and make it through the tornado season that we're currently in.

On this episode, Mental Health Association Oklahoma's CEO, Mike Brose, interviews his friend and collaborator Kathy Langois. She is based in Canada and represents the International Initiative for Mental Health Leadership. It’s  a unique international collaborative of nine countries that focuses on improving mental health and addictions services. 

Mike has been working alongside Kathy as her organization prepares for its upcoming Leadership Exchange coming up in early September in Washington, DC. 

Get all the details at http://www.iimhl.com/ 

"Do not let fear lead you to not deal with the things in your life that cause you stress or cause you anger or any of those things that affect your mental health." -- Kenya Williams

Our Mental Health Download guests are DJ Mercer and Kenya Williams. They partnered with the Association for a new virtual support group for men seeking additional support for life stressors and mental and emotional well-being. 

The first virtual group that is facilitated by a mental health professional is set for this Thursday, July 30 from 6-7 p.m. More details at https://mhaok.org/mens-mental-health.

You're listening to the Mental Health Download from the nonprofit Mental Health Association Oklahoma. I'm Omar Isais.

Today, Jocelin Baeza and Omar Isais, MHAOK team members, are taking over the Mental Health Download to highlight our virtual Hispanic support group, Platicas, in honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month.

Our goal is to increase dialogue about mental health struggles and reduce stigma around them, specifically in the Hispanic population. We talk about the importance of doing so and what that can look like, including within Platicas.

On this week's Mental Health Download Podcast, Whitney Cipolla, the Association's advocacy specialist, interviews Republican Representative Josh West from Grove, Oklahoma who represents House District Five. Joining Rep. West is Democratic Senator Julia Kirt from Oklahoma City. She represents Senate District 30. Listen to hear why legislators launched the new bipartisan Mental Health Caucus to address our state's ongoing crisis.

_______________

Founding members:

• State Rep. Josh West, R-Grove (Chair)
• State Sen. Julia Kirt, D-Oklahoma City (Chair)
• State Rep. Steve Bashore, R-Miami
• State Rep. Meloyde Blancett, D-Tulsa
• State Rep. Jeff Boatman, R-Tulsa
• State Rep. Ty Burns, R-Tulsa
• State Rep. Carol Bush, R-Tulsa
• State Rep. Jose Cruz, D-Oklahoma City
• State Rep. Shelia Dills, R-Tulsa
• State Rep. Mickey Dollens, D-Oklahoma City
• State Rep. Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow
• State Rep. Chris Kannady, R-Oklahoma City
• State Rep. Mark Lawson, R-Sapulpa
• State Rep. Marcus McEntire, R-Duncan
• State Rep. Garry Mize, R-Guthrie
• State Rep. Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City
• State Rep. Logan Phillips, R-Mounds
• State Rep. Randy Randleman, R-Eufaula
• State Rep. Eric Roberts, R-Oklahoma City
• State Rep. Collin Walke, D-Oklahoma City
• State Sen. Jo Anna Dossett, D-Tulsa
• State Sen. J.J. Dossett, D-Owasso
• State Sen. John Haste, R-Broken Arrow
• State Sen. Chris Kidd, R-Waurika
• State Sen. Greg McCortney, R-Ada
• State Sen. John Michael Montgomery, R-Lawton
• State Sen. Frank Simpson, R-Springer
• State Sen. Blake Stephens, R-Tahlequah
• State Sen. Roger Thompson, R-Okemah
• State Sen. George Young, D-Oklahoma City

On this week's episode of the Mental Health Download from the nonprofit Mental Health Association Oklahoma, our guest is Colleen McCarty, She is policy counsel for Oklahomans for Criminal Justice Reform. Colleen talks with Whitney Cipolla, the Association's advocacy specialist, about criminal justice reform in this session of the Oklahoma legislature.

Welcome everyone to the first Mental Health Download Podcast of this 2021 season. I'm Matt Gleason. And today, my co-host is my dear friend Jane Mudgett. We are so excited to be kicking off the 2021 season focused on cultivating healthy minds with Dr. John Schumann. 

He is President of OU-Tulsa and also holds the Gussman Endowed Chair in Internal Medicine within the OU-TU School of Community Medicine.

Dr. Schumann has authored the blog GlassHospital since 2010, writing monthly posts aimed at demystifying medicine and bringing transparency to health care and policy for lay audiences. He has also written for national publications such as The Atlantic, Slate, Reader’s Digest, and NPR’s health blog, Shots.

He is also the developer, co-producer and host of the StudioTulsa program “Medical Mondays” on Tulsa’s local NPR station, KWGS 89.5-FM. His weekly show explores health care and the human condition. He has also contributed to the national NPR radio programs, “Marketplace” and “All Things Considered.”

OK, let’s get the conversation started. The Mental Health Download starts … now.

P.S. Thanks to our friend Lucas Oswalt for providing all the music for this year's season. Hear more from Lucas at https://lucasoswalt.bandcamp.com/

Oh, and watch this episode on Youtube at mhaok.org/podcast.

"I would just want to tell everyone, please use your voice and be an advocate for transgender individuals -- not only to recognize and validate their identities, but to recognize their humanity. I hope everyone can take a moment out of their busy lives to tell HUD that they do not agree with this proposed rule change, but also signal to other people and the community that they are an ally, and that they're willing to stand up for the LGBTQ+ community." Whitney Cipolla, Advocacy Specialist, Mental Health Association Oklahoma

HUD's proposed rule change to the Equal Access Rule creates additional roadblocks for #transgender people who need access to shelters. For details, listen to this pod featuring Greg Shinn and Whitney Cipolla explaining why we need you to act today.

You can submit comments via the link > https://beta.regulations.gov/document/HUD-2020-0047-0001 until 11:59PM eastern time on September 22, 2020.

Read Greg Shinn's public statement on the rule change: 

Linda Alegria joins Dr. Rebecca Hubbard to talk about Linda's virtual Mental Health Association Oklahoma COVID-related support group, "STRESS AND A HISTORY OF TRAUMA."

Trauma is any experience that triggered heightened anxiety and fear related to your experience. Examples inlcude abuse, neglect, domestic violence and life-threatening accidents.

• Thursday 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Learn more at https://mhaok.org/support-groups

Also, get details about Mental Health Association Oklahoma's Be Apart campaign at mhaok.org/beapart

On today's episode, we'll take you on a ride-along tour with our Mobile Medical Intervention Team. Recently, a Tulsa world photographer, John Clanton went along with the team as they went out onto the streets of Tulsa and helped people experiencing mental illness and homelessness.

To read the story and see the photos, visit this episode's podcast page.

On today's episode, guest host Jane Mudgett interviews Weldon Bowman, of W Design, about a variety of ways to separate your work (and school) life from your home life to benefit your mental health during the pandemic.

On this week's episode, co-hosts Matt Gleason and Kristy Sturgill talk with Stephanie Cherry and Angie Almond. Stephanie and Angie are two of the most dedicated suicide prevention advocates in Oklahoma. They both live in Piedmont, Oklahoma, which has had an average of five suicide incidents, attempts and deaths by suicide per year for the past four years. One suicide is too many.

Together they talk about why they asked Mental Health Association Oklahoma to host two QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) trainings this year in Piedmont.

QPR is appropriate for anyone 18 or older who would like to learn how they can offer hope and play a role in suicide prevention.

If you are concerned about someone having thoughts of suicide, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-272-TALK (8255)

Jose Vega, of Oklahomans for Equality, explains what it was like to be rejected by his family because he was gay. Then, he explains what it was like surviving homelessness while also trying to balance the pressures of high school. For the second part of the Mental Health Download, we talk with Beth Svetlic, who oversees Mental Health Association Oklahoma's services for young people who have overcome homelessness. Beth started her social work career working with adolescents because, as she said, "they have a lot of autonomy and hope."  

Today, we're talking with Andrea Clevenger, Community Response Team Case Manager for Mental Health Association Oklahoma. 

 

Andrea started with the agency as a Peer Recovery Support Specialist on the original Street Outreach team nearly two years ago before being promoted to Case Manager on our Community Response team – a partnership with the City of Oklahoma City. Both teams are critical components to ending homelessness in our state. 

 

She, herself, experienced homelessness for many years as she struggled with myriad addictions, which, along with an unwavering commitment to service, contributes to her professional success. It was an honor to talk in-depth with Andrea about her journey of housing, healing and wholeness, and to learn about the mottos that guide her – and in turn, guide her clients. 

We are grateful to have Andrea on, today, as she shares her story with us. She is brave. She is genuine. She is a joy to share space with.

She referenced her friend who works at 988, and we’d be remiss not to remind the listeners that 988 is a free resource staffed with mental health experts who can assist you or someone you know with a mental health crisis. It’s mental health’s version of 911. They can be reached 24/7 by calling or texting 988. Additionally, if you are in a non-emergent situation and you need assistance finding mental health care or substance use treatment, you can call our Mental Health Assistance Center at 918.585.1213 or 405.943.3700 Monday through Friday from 8:30 to 5pm or complete the form on our website at www.mhaok.org.  

This week’s episode is sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Oklahoma, who invests in and partners with nonprofit organizations that offer sustainable, measurable programs that strive to elevate the health and well-being of all Oklahomans. 

Today, I am talking with Carly Dunn, a 4th year PhD student in the Human Development and Family Science Department at Oklahoma State University, and a graduate research associate at the Center for Family Resilience. 

Carly helps coordinate the Oklahoma NEAR Science training community and works on school-based prevention projects to provide quality technical and research assistance to districts working to enhance mental and behavioral health efforts for students, families, and staff.  

Additionally, Carly is one of our 2023 Zarrow Mental Health Symposium presenters.

I am thrilled to have Carly Dunn on today, and I hope you enjoy the dialogue surrounding NEAR Science and ACEs.

Mental Health Download Podcast guest host, Jane Mudgett, interviews Mana Tahaie and Nick Doctor about stepping away from the pressures of work life to combat stress and burnout.

"When we start by taking a few deep breaths, we are mentally priming ourselves for the task at hand by doing something that’s very easy to bring awareness to. Deep breaths are deliberate and intentional, and are great for generating some invigorating energy at the start of our practice. The other part of this step, as we close our eyes and allow the breath to return to it’s normal cadence is noting that whatever it was we were just doing, and whatever is next for us, and mentally acknowledging that it will all still be there on the other side of this session, and that we are going to set it aside for now." -- Jacob Beaumont

Mental Health Download Podcast presents the second episode of an ongoing series of Mindfulness Meditation sessions with Jacob Beaumont, of Mental Health Association Oklahoma. Episode one is titled "Setting the Table."

Hear all of the sessions now at mhaok.org/meditation

On today’s episode our guest is Representative Mickey Dollens from Oklahoma City. We invited Mickey on the show to talk about his dedication to saving lives from suicide because, sadly, Mickey lost his own brother, Joe, to suicide nine years ago. He also talks about his bill, #HB3346, which would put the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on the back of student IDs.

For podcast transcript highlights visit mhaok.org/podcast

"I talk about suicide all the time. I say, 'You know, we're not talking about death. We're talking about survival and hope and recovery. This doesn't have to be a bleak and depressing conversation. We're talking about saving lives. ' "

Shelby R. Rowe
Breakout Presenter, Zarrow Mental Health Symposium

On today’s episode, we celebrate National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month with our guest, Shelby R. Rowe. Shelby is a proud citizen of the Chickasaw Nation, inspirational speaker, nationally recognized suicide prevention expert, mother of three sons and a self-taught bead artist.

A suicide attempt survivor with over 20 years experience in public health, Shelby dedicates herself every day to fighting the prejudice and discrimination that affects those affected by suicide.

Shelby is the suicide prevention program manager for the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. In 2016, Shelby was honored as the Chickasaw Nation Dynamic Woman of the Year.

Today, we’re going to talk to Shelby about her Zarrow Mental Health Symposium session titled “Save the Indian, Save the Man.” You can register for the Symposium at zarrowsymposium.org.

Real quick, if you or someone you know may be struggling with suicidal thoughts you can call the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) any time of day or night or chat online.

And the Crisis Text Line provides free, 24/7, confidential support via text message to people in crisis when they dial 741741.

To read Shelby's USA Today story, visit:

https://www.usatoday.com/in-depth/news/investigations/surviving-suicide/2018/11/28/native-american-suicides-coping-historical-trauma-suicide-prevention/972282002/

"They feel alone. They feel secluded. They feel like they have no one else. And they feel like failures if they aren't succeeding within school. And it breaks my heart that it gets to the point that some person would rather end their life than to live their life to get through the season."— Lea Speight

In this episode, we explore mental health and suicide prevention during COVID-19 with two university students, Lea Speight and Vivian Allen. Rebecca Hubbard, our director of Outreach, Prevention and Education, asks them insightful questions that reveal what it's like on campuses right now in these unprecedented times.

Our guest is Scott Blackburn. Scott is a Mental Health Association Oklahoma Homeless Outreach & Rapid Response team member. Scott worked alongside investigators searching for the 1921 Race Massacre mass graves. One possible site is located in what is now an encampment for people experiencing homelessness.

On this episode, Noe Rodriguez looks back on what inspired his life as a homeless outreach worker in Tulsa, tells some funny and inspirational stories and looks forward to the next big step in his life.

Noe is our friend so we will miss him dearly at Mental Health Association Oklahoma, but we're excited for the next chapter in an already remarkable life.

In this mindfulness meditation, Jacob Beaumont takes on the judging brain and what we can do to find peace with our mind -- even when it's not being very nice to us. Listen to more sessions at Mental Health Association Oklahoma's website at mhaok.org/meditation.

Namaste.

"Of course, the project itself was not about blaming police or pointing a finger at anyone specifically. It's about highlighting the gaps in our systems here in Oklahoma. It's about what could be done better." — Whitney Bryen, Oklahoma Watch

On today’s episode our guest is Whitney Bryen. She is an investigative reporter and visual storyteller at Oklahoma Watch with an emphasis on domestic violence, mental health and nursing homes affected by COVID-19.

The reason we asked Whitney to be on the show today is because Oklahoma Watch partnered with StateImpact Oklahoma for a brilliant in-depth mental health series.

LINKS TO STORIES

Whitney Bryen contact info: (405) 201-6057 or wbryen@oklahomawatch.org. Follow her on Twitter @SoonerReporter.

Your mind wants to label me as a person with the disability, but I'm a guy out here trying to change the world by changing one person at a time." - Emeka Nnaka

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On today’s episode, I’m joined by my co-host, Avarie Wilson. She serves as the Association’s Assistant Director of Development.

Avarie and I are going to interview our guest and, actually, Avarie’s very good friend, Emeka Nnaka.

As so many Oklahomans know, Emeka has been in a wheelchair since he was 21. He was playing for a semi-pro football team when he tackled an opponent during a game in Arkansas. The opponent got to his feet. Emeka, sadly, was unable to move. Partially paralyzed, his life has never been the same.

Despite his challenges in life, Emeka has become an inspiration through his determination, grit, compassion and his exemplary volunteer work. Most notably, he’s been an amazing advocate and volunteer for Mental Health Association Oklahoma, the Tulsa Area United Way, the Center for Individuals with Physical Challenges, among others.

In late 2018, Emeka was invited to be on Ellen DeGeneres’ show after 50 people wrote letters to let her know how “incredible” Emeka is.

While on the show, Ellen read aloud a letter that described Emeka as a Tulsa treasure. Avarie and I could not agree more. And we’re so thrilled that Ellen and Cheerios gifted him with a check for $100,000 to celebrate his work in the community.

For anyone that knows of a friend or an acquaintance that experienced a suicide loss in their life, if you are able, if you are emotionally and mentally capable, go and sit with that person and let them share their thoughts and feelings with you about it. And listen without judgment because I can guarantee that is the best gift you can give to that person. —

Barbara Hathcock, Suicide Prevention Advocate

***

Today is International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day. To share her thoughts about this, we invited our friend Barbara Hathcock to talk about her late son and to offer tips to people who have also lost loved ones to suicide.

On this episode, Matt Dean celebrates Juneteenth with his friend and guest Kenyari’ Bevan Porter. Kenyari’ means “Determined Woman.” She is passionate about body positivity and self-love. Being “teased, bullied, and told no because of her differences” propels her to knock down the man-made rules of what is normal and acceptable. Knowing that God’s banner over her is love and having a supportive family (natural and spiritual) gives her the courage to face every obstacle with a smile.

To purchase "The Cards of Life," visit bookcoauthor.wixsite.com/kenyariporterauthor

I don't think it's an unrealistic expectation to say that we want to end veteran homelessness in Oklahoma City or Oklahoma period. I think it's very attainable.  — David Dirkschneider, a Marine & Mental Health Advocate

On today’s episode, we’re celebrating Veterans Day with an interview with our friend and longtime supporter, David Dirkschneider of OKC. David is a Marine and will serve as Board President for Mental Health Association Oklahoma in 2021.

We asked Greg Shinn, the Association’s Associate Director and Chief Housing Officer, to interview David because they are longtime friends. Greg’s also an expert in veteran homelessness.