Jamie shares that she grew up in a chaotic environment with parents who both had an undiagnosed mental illness, which left a lot on Jamie’s shoulders as the oldest child.  Jamie explains how problems with ADHD/Executive Function in the brain played a role in her failing out of college twice, losing careers, and dealing with financial and relationship problems. She talks about struggling with inadequacy and imposter syndrome in her everyday life. She shares how one of the most useful things she did was plug into the neurodivergent community in-person and online and benefit from the sense of community and commonality. Jamie shares how her journey transitioning from male to female has impacted the way she experiences emotion and interprets the world. That and more!

Alexa shares that she is a 70-year-old trans woman who grew up in an upper-middle-class home, with a family that was on the surface very close, but at home, she experienced emotional and sexual abuse. Alexa explores the process of becoming a trans woman over time and how it changed her relationship with mental illness, substance and sex addiction, as well as other people. She talks about finding the silver lining in every situation being key to maintaining her mental health and sobriety. This and more on episode 18 of Sound Mind!

On episode 17 of Sound Mind, Travis Abbot shares how he grew up in a chaotic environment where he was raised to be tough and ready and able to be violent, which he later addressed in therapy; he talks about how he was   surprised by how much therapy helped and how men are raised to not communicate or show emotions, but rather be aggressive; he reflects on how therapy, and specifically EDMR, helped rid him of suicidal ideation, substantially reduced depression and set appropriate boundaries.  Travis dives into destigmatizing men seeking mental health treatment; he muses about what would change if mental health care improved; he discusses the biggest hurdle in his Recovery, including setting boundaries; he dives into what he does to maintain his mental health; he shares being able to talk more about mental health more easily and increasing his resilience, as well as how the relationships with his parents have changed as a result of his Recovery; he gives his advice for folks just beginning their Recovery, and more.

Mike shares about how in the Marine Corps they recognized wasn't behaving normally, rather than discipline him they sent him to the psychiatrist which started his mental health journey; he reflects on his poor experiences getting mental health treatment through the VA; he shares his passion for a local nonprofit called Intensive Healing Therapy that helps veterans and first responders; he discusses how his mental health journey has impacted his relationships; he dives into how his mental health diagnosis has changed over the years and how hard it was to accept his Borderline Personality diagnosis.Mike goes into emotional trauma he’s suffered, including experiencing iatrogenic harm after being involuntarily committed after a suicide attempt where he was arrested; he reflects about how the police interact with people who live with mental illness and the harm he received while in custody, including being denied an attorney; he discusses ideas about how the police can be better supported to interact with people who live with mental illness; he shares what he does to maintain his mental health including the Wim Haf breathing technique, and more.

As a firefighter Tim experienced a traumatic event that caused him PTSD that has been layered with other traumatic events from his disaster work; he explains how PTSD shows up in his life and impacts himself in his personal life and at work; he talks about what it has been like to work with a counselor for the first time; what the biggest hurdle in his recovery has been, his advice for others in Recovery, and more.

Greg discusses losing his 1st marriage to a bad year-long depression where he withdrew from his family and friends; his experience with hospitalizations and how the connections with other people you meet there can help you find healing and direction in your own journey; his perspective on how one needs a multi prong approach to  treating mental illness, and how medication alone wont always work; how his biggest hurdle in recovery was not opening up to others about his depression, and more.

Rachel grew up in what she describes as your basic Idaho upbringing being raised by her parents in a nondenominational Christian church that preaches abstinence only. Rachel was raped after she passed out at a party at the age of 14  which left her feeling like she was “ruined” and “no good” which kicked off her need to numb out the pain with drugs. She has survived multiple suicide attempts, over a decade of physical and emotional abuse. Rachel has stared down the monster that is opiate addiction, along with hospitalizations from complications of IV drug use, an acrimonious divorce & custody dispute from a domestic abuser, and has emerged the victor at every turn.

Melissa Bradshaw LeMar opens up about what it was like to help her daughter in her Recovery from opioid addiction. She discusses how the stigma that came with not being able to afford in-patient treatment, along with the scrutiny and judgement of those around her about her daughter being an opioid addict, led to depression.   Melissa reflects on how parents are told to teach their kids to 'Just Say No' but are given no tools to help their kids if they do use drugs. She shares how the advice from others and some of the programming she had from childhood lead to some missteps. She highlights how getting her Masters in Communication caused her to deep dive into the subject of opioid recovery, giving her the tools and perspective she needed to help herself and her daughter.

Derek grew up in a religious household that made him question his worth and identity, leading to a battle with anxiety, depression and alcoholism. As a result of his struggle with mental health, Derek has been in a better place to provide empathy and support as an educator to his high school students in helping them navigate difficult situations, including several suicides. His religious upbringing lead him to believe that his depression and anxiety were a symptom of him doing something wrong spiritually, which compounded his symptoms. Derek shares how 12 step groups and listening to others stories helped him repair his relationship to anxiety and depression. He also shares his coping mechanisms and boundaries he had to set with his family to maintain his mental health.

Jane came from a seemingly good home but behind what she describes as ‘the veil of appearances’, she was neglected by her alcoholic mother who lived with untreated bipolar disorder and narcissism, and also abused by her sister who many thought was a sociopath. Jane’s mom oversexualized her and encouraged her to drink and have boyfriends from a very young age.  Her father who was also an alcoholic passed away in 2010, three years later Jane’s path to healing began and continues today. Jane utilized Alcoholics Anonymous but found Adult Children of Alcoholics and Dysfunctional Families particularly helpful, though the process of making amends was tricky for her. Jane goes into detail about her experiences with both programs and what she learned about herself and her family as a result.