Welcome to the Public Health Joy Podcast. The safe space for real and honest conversation about what building a public health research career is really like. The challenges, the triumphs, and all the lessons we learn along the way. I'm your host, Dr. Joyee, a public health researcher, Ph.D. survivor, and entrepreneur.

In today's episode, we are talking with Brandon Johnson about building connections and saving lives as a tireless advocate for positive mental health and suicide prevention services. This is where research meets relationship. Together, we will find our public health joy.

Key Points From This Episode:

  • Introducing today’s guest, Brandon J. Johnson, his work with SAMHSA, and his new role as Acting Branch Chief of the Suicide Prevention Branch. [0:00:50]
  • Why any role can serve you and teach you important transferable skills. [0:04:43]
  • Using passion to help you persevere through difficult challenges. [0:09:24]
  • The adversity experienced by people of color, leading to higher rates of burnout. [0:10:50]
  • What it means to understand your community and tap into what they need. [0:11:22]
  • Shining a light on human connection and how it drives public health work. [0:13:19]
  • Brandon’s thoughts on community engagement when dealing with sensitive topics like

suicide, and violence, prevention. [0:16:09] * Meeting people where they are and how vulnerability will help you in the long run. [0:21:28] * What Brandon learned about human connection from being a research assistant. [0:23:24] * An overview of what you learn as an MCHES, how it differs from being a CHES, and how

MCHES training enables you to have a community perspective. [0:27:13] * Occupying a leadership role and the opportunity to model behavior for others. [0:29:17] * Why the real work happens after you take your MCHES exams. [0:30:49] * Brandon shares what brings him the most joy in his work. [0:33:24] * Find out how you can get in touch with Brandon online. [0:35:55]

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