Mental Health Download: Exploring Mental Illness, Suicide, Homelessness and Incarceration

Latest Episodes:

Podcasting Guide for Nonprofits Jun 12, 2020

Show notes

Podcasting is a powerful way to raise awareness about critical issues near and dear to nonprofits of all kinds. The mission today is to explain why -- and how -- more nonprofits can launch their own podcast.

Today, we're honored to be joined by fellow podcaster, Jesse Ulrich, who co-hosts Pod4Good and is the CEO of the podcast production company Rant9 Productions. And we asked our friend, Daniel Billingsley, of the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits, to join us to explain the importance of storytelling for nonprofits, especially now during the time of COVID-19 and protests related to the tragic deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery.

In addition, we're joined by Mickey Desai from Atlanta, Georgia. Mickey is a veteran podcast producer. He produces three podcasts currently:

Nonprofit SnapCast (a podcast for all nonprofit professionals and board members)
The Thing About Cars (a podcast about cars and the people who love them)
Inclusion Catalyst (a production about social justice and racial equity)

Mickey also runs Podcast Wizardry, a firm dedicated to helping others tell their stories through their own podcasting efforts.

The Grief Center's Joanna Majka on Personal & Collective Grief Jun 09, 2020

Show notes

Ashley Gunnells and Matt Gleason interview the Grief Center's Joanna Majka about the collective grief our country is experiencing involving COVID-19, and the same applies to George Floyd and other racial injustices we have witnessed. As Joanna said, "We are grieving together as a nation and we must connect to this grief, feel the deep emotions associated with these societal losses, and then use our grief to demand change."

Emeka Nnaka is our Hero Jun 08, 2020

Show notes

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

***

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.

Malika Cox Fights Racial Injustice Jun 05, 2020

Show notes

On today’s episode, I’m joined by my co-host, Tiffany Ramirez. She serves as the EmpowerOKC Program Manager at Lilyfield. Lilyfield's EmpowerOKC program is designed to transform families and communities into places where children are safe and can thrive.

Tiffany and I are going to interview our guest Malika Cox. She is passionate about criminal justice reform, restorative justice and policy changes that impact marginalized communities. Malika is the Pastor of Spiritual Formation, Justice and Community Life at The Table in Oklahoma City. Malika speaks and teaches on anti-bias, diversity and inclusion, race and reconciliation, and transitional and restorative justice practices.

Before we get to the interview, I want to tell you about Mental Health Association Oklahoma’s new virtual support group, Coping with Trauma from Racial Injustice. It begins June 15. The free virtual support group via Zoom is specifically for people dealing with the trauma and stress related to the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery and the ongoing crisis in America.

It is facilitated by Carmen White Janak. She is a diversity, equity, and inclusion professional and a non-denominational minister who understands the unique needs of people during this time.

More details are available at mhaok.org/supportgroups.

Ok, let’s get this conversation started.
The Mental Health Download starts … now

Mark Davis: George Floyd and the Coping with Trauma from Racial Injustice Support Group Jun 03, 2020

Show notes

On today’s episode, Rebecca Hubbard and Mark Davis are going to discuss how the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery have had profound traumatic effects on individuals and families, and especially people in the African American community. This is why Mental Health Association Oklahoma launched its free virtual support group via Zoom that is specifically for people dealing with this ongoing crisis in America. The Coping with Trauma from Racial Injustice support and open dialogue group will start at 7 p.m. June 15. More details are available at mhaok.org/supportgroups.

In addition, Mental Health Association Oklahoma encourages people to contact its free Mental Health Assistance Center at 918-585-1213 and 405-943-3700 for help and support. It is open Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. People may also send emails to info@mhaok.org.

OK, so just a bit of background on our guests: Rebecca is the Director of Outreach, Prevention and Education for Mental Health Association Oklahoma. And Rebecca is joined by Mark Davis, who serves as the Chief Programs Officer for the Association.

The Mental Health Download starts ... now.

100th Episode: Meditation with Jacob Beaumont May 30, 2020

Show notes

Listen to the 100th Episode! This has been an amazing journey podcasting and sharing lessons with you all. We could not think of a better way to celebrate this milestone episode than to invite our dear friend Jacob Beaumont to talk all things meditation. Be sure to hang around for the end of the pod so you can hear the first session of Jacob's free meditation series available right now at mhaok.org/meditation. Thank you for listening!

Wendi Fralick: The Exit Interview May 28, 2020

Show notes

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."

Mariah Davis: Miss Oklahoma USA's Depression and Anxiety May 27, 2020

Show notes

You’re listening to the Mental Health Download from the nonprofit Mental Health Association Oklahoma.

On today’s special episode, our guest is Miss Oklahoma USA 2020, Mariah Davis.
And what you’ll hear is audio from our recent Facebook Live Q&A with Mariah.
You’ll hear Mariah share her experiences with depression and anxiety. She’ll also offer advice on how you or someone you love can overcome their darkest moments with depression and anxiety.
QUESTIONS INCLUDE:

So let’s start with you telling the audience a little about yourself and why you wanted to become Miss Oklahoma USA 2020.
OK, now let’s go back to your high school days. Can you share what it was like in high school when you first realized you were experiencing symptoms of depression and anxiety?
At that time, were you afraid your friends and maybe even your family would find out you were experiencing depression and anxiety?
When you were a freshman at the University of Oklahoma, how did your depression and anxiety symptoms stay the same or change?
You’ve said that during that time in college, you were struggling to find your identity and that you felt like a prisoner in your own mind. Can you tell us more about what that inner battle was like for you?
How did you cope with your depression and anxiety at that time?
As you’ve said, you felt like you were losing your fight with depression and anxiety. And, actually, you were having thoughts of suicide, correct? Can you explain what it was like to reach such a dark place in your life?
What or who inspired you to fight against those thoughts and come out the other side transformed?
How did that time in your life affect your friends and family?
How did your friends and family help you in your recovery from depression and anxiety?
You’ve said “you have to put in the work to change,” what did that work entail for you?
Now that you have come so far in your recovery, what advice do you have for people who feel alone as they struggle with depression and anxiety?
What are some of the ways you continue to maintain and improve your own mental health?

Chef Justin Thompson on COVID, Sobriety and the Healing Power of Baking May 21, 2020

Show notes

Chef Justin Thompson joins Mike Brose and Matt Gleason for a discussion about life during COVID, his sobriety, his hopes for the mental health of his staff and, yes, the healing powers of baking.

To connect with mental health services, call Mental Health Association Oklahoma's free Mental Health Assistance Center at 918-585-1213 or 405-943-3700.

Tiffany Ramirez is Empowering OKC May 21, 2020

Show notes

Tiffany Ramirez, of EmpowerOKC, joins Rebecca Hubbard and Matt Gleason to discuss serving people whose first language is not English. Also, they talk about how EmpowerOKC has partnered with Westwood Elementary School, an Oklahoma City Public School, to identify at-risk students and provide support to students and their families to help prevent them from entering the child welfare system.
This program includes parenting classes, education support for children, mentor families, counseling, case management, resource referral, tutoring and much more. In doing so, we hope to continue to fulfill our vision of guiding children, youth and families on a path to healing and permanency.