Inside Mental Health

Latest Episodes:

Asking the Therapists Mar 29, 2018

Show notes

Ever wondered about the advice columns in papers and on websites? Like, how many questions they receive, how they deal with different issues, and so on? Two of Psych Central’s experts from “Ask the Therapist” join us to share their experiences answering questions online. Hosted by Gabe Howard (www.gabehoward.com) and Vincent M. Wales (www.vincentmwales.com). Previous episodes can be found at psychcentral.com/show or on your favorite podcast player.

Interview with the Medical Director of the National Council for Behavioral Health Mar 22, 2018

Show notes

Why doesn’t Canada have a homeless crisis as does the U.S.? What can we do about the shortage of psychiatrists? These questions and more are discussed with the Medical Director of the National Council for Behavioral Health. Listen in to learn some surprising facts!

A Digital Approach to Employee Mental Health Mar 15, 2018

Show notes

Many employers provide health benefits to their workers that go above and beyond the typical medical insurance. This may take the form of incentive programs for improving health, discounts on fitness centers, or employee assistance programs (EAPs) that provide various health-related services. But there’s a new star on the health horizon called LifeSpeak. This is an entire wellness platform that employers can make available to employees, giving them free, anonymous access to an enormous library of health information, discussion forums, and even live interaction with health experts on a variety of topics, including a great deal related to mental health.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS

[0:55] What is LifeSpeak and what does it do?

[3:50] Examples of LifeSpeak’s mental health resources.

[5:38] LifeSpeak’s approach to mental health.

[8:13] The effect of mental health on work attendance.

[13:56] Differences in how Canada and the US treat mental health in the workplace.

[20:54] Assistance in real time.

[24:08] How LifeSpeak finds experts.

How to Control Social Anxiety Before It Controls You Mar 08, 2018

Show notes

Social anxiety is more common than most of us realize. Around 80% of us have experienced it at some point in our lives. In this episode, Dr. Ellen Hendriksen shares her insights into social anxiety, including how it is experienced by different sorts of people, and how we can reduce its impact on us. She explains about safety behaviors and how they can work against us in overcoming anxiety, as well as addresses specific anxious behaviors, such as avoiding eye contact. As she explains, a little social anxiety isn’t anything to worry about. It’s when social anxiety causes us to avoid certain situations or interactions that we should be concerned.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS

[1:37] What’s the difference between social anxiety and shyness?

[4:15] Social anxiety with introverts & extraverts.

[5:58] The two lies of social anxiety.

[9:49] How do we lessen the impact of social anxiety?

[15:23] Writing the book on social anxiety.

[21:29] Looking social anxiety in the eye.

[26:32] What are safety behaviors?

Keith O’Neil: From Super Bowl to Super Advocate Mar 01, 2018

Show notes

Keith O’Neil lived with undiagnosed bipolar disorder throughout his NFL career, including his final year with the Indianapolis Colts as they won the Super Bowl in 2006. After his diagnosis, Keith became an advocate, starting the 4th and Forever Foundation, which is dedicated to assisting those living with and affected by mental health conditions, through programs that raise awareness, promote education and fund research to alleviate mental illness. Keith tours the country, speaking to high school students. He shares with us his secret to getting through to them, and the single most frequent question they ask. He also speaks candidly about writing his book and about the people in his life who helped him, both before and after diagnosis.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS

[1:19] Being bipolar in the NFL.

[4:27] Coming out as bipolar on Facebook.

[6:29] Keith O’Neil’s 4th and Forever Foundation.

[7:05] The secret to getting through to high schoolers.

[12:15] Keith’s suicide attempt.

[14:40] Keith’s book, Under My Helmet.

[17:00] “Beating the Demon.”

Come On, Get Happy - The App Feb 22, 2018

Show notes

More and more apps are showing up that are geared toward mental health. One such app is called, simply, “Happy.” This simple to use app allows a user to speak with a “giver” (an emotional support individual) to discuss whatever happens to be troubling the user. In this episode, we speak with the company’s CEO, who explains how the app works, the vetting process of the givers, and plans for the future of the app. The importance of emotional support is also discussed, as are specifics on how the app works, including how a user is matched with a giver.

HAPPY THE APP SHOW HIGHLIGHTS

[1:46] What exactly is this app for?

[6:07] How does a user get matched with a “giver”?

[10:16] How important is emotional support, really?

[17:50] How does the app work?

[19:24] Do the givers get paid?

[20:37] How does one become a giver?

More With Pulitzer Prize Finalist Pete Earley Feb 15, 2018

Show notes

Pete Earley returns to talk more about mental health advocacy and lots of other things. He tells of how he came to co-author a book with Jessie Close and talks of his days writing his own spy novels and several books with former Speaker of the House, Newt Gingrich. He also shares stories from his days as a reporter with the Washington Post, including being part of a “special” squad of reporters. Pete shares some information on some of his forthcoming books and projects, and finally, he advises everyone of what we can do to help advocate for mental health in our own ways.

PETE EARLEY SHOW HIGHLIGHTS

[0:35] Pete speaks about writing a book with Jessie Close.

[2:31] Pete Earley: The Spy Writer

[5:59] Tales from the Washington Post

[11:49] Information on forthcoming projects.

[19:21] Advice on what you can do to advocate for mental health.

Candid Conversation with Mental Health Advocate Pete Earley Feb 08, 2018

Show notes

Pulitzer finalist and former Washington Post reporter Pete Earley joins for the first of two shows. Pete talks about his popular blog and how he worked to make it more balanced than the average blog. He also speaks of the many obstacles and excuses he encountered in getting treatment for his son’s bipolar disorder, which led him to write the book, Crazy: A Father's Search Through America's Mental Health Madness. Also discussed is how “seriously mentally ill” is such a subjective diagnosis and why it seems that some mentally ill individuals can only receive treatment if they commit a crime.

PETE EARLEY SHOW HIGHLIGHTS

[1:42] Pete talks of creating a “balanced” blog.

[6:41] Why must many mentally ill commit crimes in order to receive treatment?

[10:03] What is “Seriously Mentally Ill,” anyway?

[12:45] Pete tells how Crazy came to be written.

[19:04] The importance of partnership.

The Sit With Us App: Curbing School Bullying Feb 01, 2018

Show notes

After years of being bullied in school and having to eat alone – often not even in the cafeteria – Natalie Hampton decided to something to help others in similar situations. She created the Sit With Us anti-bullying app, which allows a user to locate a table in their school’s cafeteria where they will be welcome, so that no one needs to eat alone. In this episode, Natalie explains how the app came to exist, and how it’s being used by more than just schools. Additionally, she offers her views on why bullying is so prevalent in some schools. Hosted by Gabe Howard and Vincent M. Wales.

SIT WITH US SHOW HIGHLIGHTS

[1:33] What is Sit With Us and what does it do?

[4:13] The unexpected success of the app, and how it happened.

[5:49] How being bullied led Natalie to create the app.

[7:06] Natalie’s other anti-bullying activities.

[7:53] Why is bullying so prevalent in some schools?

[12:38] Natalie’s TEDx Teen talk.

[15:45] How someone becomes a bully, and how to stop it.

Why Do Some People Ignore Facts? Jan 25, 2018

Show notes

In this episode of the Psych Central Show, hosts Gabe Howard and Vincent M. Wales welcome Dr. Gleb Tsipursky to look at why some people hold their opinions, despite factual evidence to the contrary. In addition to explaining the reasons why some people ignore facts, the show offers suggestions on how to go about changing the mind of someone who does this, using the EGRIP approach. He also gives examples of how we can become more evolved thinkers, ourselves. Dr. Tsipursky also encourages the hosts to sign the Pro-Truth Pledge, a commitment to truth-oriented behavior. (Spoiler: they both already had!)

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