Hiiiiii! Oh gosh, it's been a while. I want to get back to regularly posting episodes in the new year, but in the meantime, I wanted to talk about this - how to keep it mentally together during the holidays. Am I an expert? ABSOLUTELY NOT! But here are the strategies - or REMINDERS - I'm trying to follow, myself, this year, to keep my brain and body feeling better than total crap. Isn't that what we're all trying to do out here??Wishing you a gentle holiday season, whether you're feeling festive or not. I LOVE YOU AND YOU MATTER AND THE WORLD NEEDS YOU, OK??!?!??Support the showYou can keep up with Mentally Together on Instagram @mentallytogetherpod. Cassidy's Instagram is @cassidyquinntv, and you can watch the video version of each podcast episode at YouTube.com/cassidyquinn. Books recommended by Mentally Together guests: https://bookshop.org/lists/mentally-together

On July 16th, there's officially a new number to call (or TEXT!!) when you or a loved one is experiencing a mental health crisis. 988 - it’s like 911, but for anyone experiencing suicidal thoughts or substance abuse or any other type of mental health crisis. When you call 988, you’ll reach a real human, who is trained to provide support and connect you with the help you need.Dr. Margie Balfour is a psychiatrist and the Chief of Quality and Clinical Innovation at Connections Health Solutions in Phoenix, Arizona. She has been working hard to advocate for this number and fight for implementation of 988.I loved talking to her about what this new number means for us and how we can use it, the warning signs we can look for in ourselves and our loved ones who are struggling, and what she sees as the future of mental health care.988 is a huge step, but there’s still so much more to be done. The 988 Implementation Act was introduced in Congress in March of 2022, but has not been passed yet. The goal is that when someone is in crisis, they have someone to call, someone to come, and somewhere to go if it’s needed. Of course, there is money needed to make people available to call, to show up, and to fund the places they might go. So the bill would provide federal funding and guidance for states to actually implement their 988 and crisis systems, including requiring all health insurance plants to cover crisis services, implementing a national suicide prevention awareness campaign, and providing funding for community-based crisis response centers.Read about the 988 Implementation Act: https://bit.ly/988implementationYou can keep up with Mentally Together on Instagram @mentallytogetherpod. Cassidy's Instagram is @cassidyquinntv, and you can watch the video version of each podcast episode at YouTube.com/cassidyquinn.Books recommended by Mentally Together guests: https://bookshop.org/lists/mentally-togetherSupport the showYou can keep up with Mentally Together on Instagram @mentallytogetherpod. Cassidy's Instagram is @cassidyquinntv, and you can watch the video version of each podcast episode at YouTube.com/cassidyquinn. Books recommended by Mentally Together guests: https://bookshop.org/lists/mentally-together

Happy LGBTQIA+ pride month! The month where we celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community and living openly and authentically.It’s also a month to honor and celebrate the progress we’ve made in LGBTQIA+ rights… which ummm… sometimes it doesn’t feel like as much progress as it should??! If you’ve been paying any attention to the news lately, there have been more attacks on the LGBTQIA+ community - different states have been passing bills taking away LGBTQ+ rights, people have been attacking drag shows and trans people and other pride events… It’s all really upsetting. And that’s putting it lightly because I’m not putting this episode out to make you MORE upset about the state of the world… We’re all already feeling it this week, huh??Instead, this episode is to celebrate some wonderful humans in the LGBTQIA+ community. People who have graciously come on the pod to share their stories and experiences with mental health. And since identity is very much tied to mental health, they’ve shared stories about coming out, about becoming a drag queen, about queer representation in media, and online harassment…Clearly, the experience of everyone in the LGBTQ+ community is different, which you’ll hear in these stories. Some will talk about their amazingly positive experience coming out… while others had a much more negative experience. And some of these wonderful humans enjoy picking a label, and some that don’t identify with any particular one.Here are the wonderful humans we hear from in this episode:Poison WatersMegan MitchellLisa Cazes and Alizeé FalqueLianne SafferX. AriLogan LynnAlayna JoyGet your .gay domain here: www.godaddy.gayTry Pride Counseling: bit.ly/mentallytogetherpridePride Counseling Providing online therapy to the LGBTQ+ community, making help accessible and accepting of everyone.Support the showYou can keep up with Mentally Together on Instagram @mentallytogetherpod. Cassidy's Instagram is @cassidyquinntv, and you can watch the video version of each podcast episode at YouTube.com/cassidyquinn. Books recommended by Mentally Together guests: https://bookshop.org/lists/mentally-together

If you want to skip the intro and get straight to the meditation, skip to 2:55 in this episode.If you’ve never meditated before, don’t worry, this  isn’t about getting rid of all your thoughts or feeling at total peace with everything, and you don’t even have to sit still.The meditation I’m going to lead you through today can actually be done walking around outside if you want. Because meditating in nature can be really wonderful!In this meditation, we're going to focus in on each of our 5 senses - touch, sight, hearing, smell, and taste. If I’m really getting curious about what I’m seeing or smelling or hearing in any present moment, it’s a little easier for my brain to not get stuck going down a whole rabbit hole of anxious thoughts.You can go outside for this one, sit or lay down in your backyard, walk down the street, walk around a park nearby, or you can do it inside, sitting on the floor or a cushion or a chair, laying down. Whatever feels good and accessible to you today - there really is no right or wrong way to do this.So sit or lay down, or walk outside - and let's meditate together!You can keep up with Mentally Together on Instagram @mentallytogetherpod. Cassidy's Instagram is @cassidyquinntv, and you can watch the video version of each podcast episode at YouTube.com/cassidyquinn.Books recommended by Mentally Together guests: https://bookshop.org/lists/mentally-togetherMentally Together is a creation from Cassidy Quinn in collaboration with Coba.fm.Support the showYou can keep up with Mentally Together on Instagram @mentallytogetherpod. Cassidy's Instagram is @cassidyquinntv, and you can watch the video version of each podcast episode at YouTube.com/cassidyquinn. Books recommended by Mentally Together guests: https://bookshop.org/lists/mentally-together

Do you ever feel scared about climate change? Anxious about global warming? Are you grieving the world as you know it? You are definitely not the only one feeling that way. Which is why there's now a term for this feeling: eco-anxiety.In his therapist practice, Dr. Thomas Doherty helps people with exactly that. He is a psychologist who specializes in applying an environmental perspective to mental health and well-being.And he's not new to this topic - in 2011, he co-wrote a paper with Susan Clayton called The Psychological Impacts of Global Climate Change, and that paper has been cited OVER 700 times.So I LOVED talking to him about his advice for those of us struggling with eco-anxiety, the mental health benefits of getting outside in nature, and how we can figure out our own environmental identity.Listen to Dr. Doherty's podcast here: https://climatechangeandhappiness.com/Read the New York Times article about climate change and therapy, featuring Dr. Doherty: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/06/health/climate-anxiety-therapy.htmlYou can keep up with Mentally Together on Instagram @mentallytogetherpod. Cassidy's Instagram is @cassidyquinntv, and you can watch the video version of each podcast episode at YouTube.com/cassidyquinn.Books recommended by Mentally Together guests: https://bookshop.org/lists/mentally-togetherRISE Brewing Co. Nitro cold brew coffee and tea with oat milk to create some good energy for you and your brain!Support the showYou can keep up with Mentally Together on Instagram @mentallytogetherpod. Cassidy's Instagram is @cassidyquinntv, and you can watch the video version of each podcast episode at YouTube.com/cassidyquinn. Books recommended by Mentally Together guests: https://bookshop.org/lists/mentally-together

If you want to skip the intro and get straight to the meditation, skip to 4:30 in this episode.If you’ve ever thought, “I can’t meditate, because my brain always keeps thinking!” Mental noting, or thought labeling, might be a helpful type of meditation for you, because it lets your brain think, but then let go of the thought and come back to the present moment, instead of just going all the way down the thought path.For me, the more I practice this in meditation, the more I am able to do it in real life. Because if your brain is anything like mine, you might relate to the mode my brain can get in a lot - where I’ll get stuck ruminating and my brain just goes into an anxiety spiral and I can’t get out of it… but if I can observe what is happening, and note, “oh there goes my brain again” - it can take myself out of the spiral for a second and look at it more objectively, and maybeee stop the spiral.And that is what we’re going to practice in today’s meditation. We will be gentle with ourselves as different thoughts pop up, and we’ll just observe them, be aware of them, and then maybe try to release them. So sit or lay down, relax, and let's meditate together!You can keep up with Mentally Together on Instagram @mentallytogetherpod. Cassidy's Instagram is @cassidyquinntv, and you can watch the video version of each podcast episode at YouTube.com/cassidyquinn.Books recommended by Mentally Together guests: https://bookshop.org/lists/mentally-togetherMentally Together is a creation from Cassidy Quinn in collaboration with Coba.fm.Zoom+CareZoomCare offers same-day doctor visits—that you can book online or from their app.Support the showSupport the showYou can keep up with Mentally Together on Instagram @mentallytogetherpod. Cassidy's Instagram is @cassidyquinntv, and you can watch the video version of each podcast episode at YouTube.com/cassidyquinn. Books recommended by Mentally Together guests: https://bookshop.org/lists/mentally-together

When you're stuck in your sad/anxious/grieving bubble, how do you get out of it? Lately for me, it's helped to talk to, listen to, or read something from someone who really gets what I'm going through. And listening to today's episode did that for me - because Tyler Feder gets it ALL - losing your mom, being anxious, battling ADHD, and more. Tyler is an artist whose work explores big feelings, feminism, and pop culture. I was introduced to her work from one of my mom’s friends last year, who was so sweet and sent me this book after my mom died. It’s called Dancing at the Pity Party - it’s a graphic memoir about Tyler’s mom - her life, her death, and Tyler's grief. It’s definitely different from every other grief book I’ve read. But in a really cool way - because yeah, it’s sad, but it’s also somehow fun, because there’s all these drawings and sweet memories, and reading it just felt really relatable.If you are struggling with anything - a mental illness, the loss of a loved one, trauma, whatever it is - I think finding someone to talk to or listen to or read their book, from someone who’s gone through something similar, can be really helpful.So I LOVED talking to Tyler about her art, her grief, her mom, and body positivity.You can keep up with Mentally Together on Instagram @mentallytogetherpod. Cassidy's Instagram is @cassidyquinntv, and you can watch the video version of each podcast episode at YouTube.com/cassidyquinn.Books recommended by Mentally Together guests (including Tyler's 2 books!): https://bookshop.org/lists/mentally-togetherZoom+Care ZoomCare offers same-day doctor visits—that you can book online or from their app. Instacart - Groceries delivered in as little as 1 hour. Free delivery on your first order over $35.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the showYou can keep up with Mentally Together on Instagram @mentallytogetherpod. Cassidy's Instagram is @cassidyquinntv, and you can watch the video version of each podcast episode at YouTube.com/cassidyquinn. Books recommended by Mentally Together guests: https://bookshop.org/lists/mentally-together

Do you love trying different things for your mental health and figuring out which ones work? And then sticking with them, but also letting yourself switch it up when the routine isn't serving you anymore (and NOT beating yourself up about it if you miss a day/week/whatever!)? This week's guest is all about that.X. Ari is an alt-pop singer, writer, and mental health advocate, who’s life motto is all about turning “Pain Into Power.” She does that through her music, and by sharing her own struggles with mental health online and in-person, speaking at schools and other events. She’s so open about everything from anxiety to psychosis, and what self care activities help her get through it all. She even launched her own non-profit, called WisdoMania Foundation, that offers Songwriting for Wellness workshops to schools and communities.And for Mental Health Awareness Month - which is MAY, aka right NOW when this episode comes out - X. Ari is celebrating by putting on a whole festival dedicated to mental health, called WisdoMania Fest. It’s virtual, so you can tune in from home on May 15th and 16th, and try a huge variety of different self care activities, like meditation, yoga, art therapy, songwriting for healing and journaling. Want to join the festival (I'll be there!)? Buy your ticket at WisdoManiaFest.com and enter the promo code MENTALLYTOGETHER for 75% off!You can keep up with Mentally Together on Instagram @mentallytogetherpod. Cassidy's Instagram is @cassidyquinntv, and you can watch the video version of each podcast episode at YouTube.com/cassidyquinn.Books recommended by Mentally Together guests: https://bookshop.org/lists/mentally-togetherZoom+Care ZoomCare offers same-day doctor visits—that you can book online or from their app. RISE Brewing Co. Nitro cold brew coffee and tea with oat milk to create some good energy for you and your brain!Support the showYou can keep up with Mentally Together on Instagram @mentallytogetherpod. Cassidy's Instagram is @cassidyquinntv, and you can watch the video version of each podcast episode at YouTube.com/cassidyquinn. Books recommended by Mentally Together guests: https://bookshop.org/lists/mentally-together

If you want to skip the intro and get straight to the meditation, skip to 7 minutes into this episode.This is the 5th edition of Mindfully Together, a series of meditations we'll doing here on Mentally Together. Get comfy and listen up, and we hope it provides a few minutes of calm and relaxation in your day.Today I will lead you through a 15-minute loving kindness meditation, where we will be sending out loving kindness to all living beings (yes, yourself included). It sounds really cheesy, but for me, this type of meditation has really helped me feel more compassion for myself and others. I mean, if you think about everything you do in life, everything you go through, everything you help other people with, can you think of anything that being a little more loving and kind DOESN'T make better?So get comfy (like, actually comfy!) and enjoy this meditation.Read more about the benefits of loving kindness meditation here.You can keep up with Mentally Together on Instagram @mentallytogetherpod. Cassidy's Instagram is @cassidyquinntv, and you can watch the video version of each podcast episode at YouTube.com/cassidyquinn.Books recommended by Mentally Together guests: https://bookshop.org/lists/mentally-togetherMentally Together is a creation from Cassidy Quinn in collaboration with Coba.fm.Zoom+Care ZoomCare offers same-day doctor visits—that you can book online or from their app. Support the showYou can keep up with Mentally Together on Instagram @mentallytogetherpod. Cassidy's Instagram is @cassidyquinntv, and you can watch the video version of each podcast episode at YouTube.com/cassidyquinn. Books recommended by Mentally Together guests: https://bookshop.org/lists/mentally-together

Lisa Cazes and Alizée Falque are two friends who bonded over their mental health struggles. Now, they’re using those struggles as inspiration for a short film challenging misconceptions about bipolar disorder and breaking down the stigmas around it. It’s called Up and Down. Lisa is the writer, director, and producer, and Alizée  is the lead actor and associate producer.This is part 2 of our conversation - in this episode, we talk about their experiences with medication when it comes to their mental health, what led to Lisa (and her mom) being diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and how the pandemic led to Alizée finally being diagnosed with ADHD.This episode DOES discuss some  serious topics, including addiction and suicide. If you or anyone you know is experiencing some of those feelings, please reach out to a professional for help. You can always reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. And please take care of yourself, and only listen to this episode if and when you are ready.You can keep up with Mentally Together on Instagram @mentallytogetherpod. Cassidy's Instagram is @cassidyquinntv, and you can watch the video version of each podcast episode at YouTube.com/cassidyquinn.Books recommended by Mentally Together guests: https://bookshop.org/lists/mentally-togetherMentally Together is a creation from Cassidy Quinn in collaboration with Coba.fm.Zoom+Care ZoomCare offers same-day doctor visits—that you can book online or from their app. Instacart - Groceries delivered in as little as 1 hour. Free delivery on your first order over $35.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the showYou can keep up with Mentally Together on Instagram @mentallytogetherpod. Cassidy's Instagram is @cassidyquinntv, and you can watch the video version of each podcast episode at YouTube.com/cassidyquinn. Books recommended by Mentally Together guests: https://bookshop.org/lists/mentally-together