Mequell Buck: Thriving with Mental Illness: Recent Episodes
Mequell Buck
Author, public speaker and suicide survivor Mequell Buck, along with her husband Adam, have an open and honest discussion about issues surrounding mental illness. Sometimes funny, sometimes serious, but always insightful.
Mequell and Adam talk about a common and damaging misconception that people with mental illness are violent. Adam shares statistics from The National Library of Medicine that violence stems from substance abuse. If someone with a mental illness is self-medicating with substances, that is what increases violence. Those who are being properly treated by medical professionals are no more violent than anybody else. In fact, they are more likely to be victims of violence rather than perpetrators.
So not only does this idea perpetuate stigma, it's flat out wrong. And even though Mequell has a constant running list of people to fight (calm down, it's imaginary) doesn't make her violent. Touche'
Psychiatric Illness and Criminality
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In honor of Mother's Day, Mequell and Adam have a discussion around whether or not you can be a good parent while living with a significant mental illness. (Hint: the answer is a resounding YES) According to an article in Psychology Today, good parents provide: 1 - unconditional love, 2 - emotional security, 3 - good conversations, 4 - validate their feelings and 5 - meaningful responsibilities.
Parenting with mental illness will no doubt need to look different however different doesn't mean bad or wrong no matter what messages society may be sending. Listen in for some insights on how you can be a fabulous parent no matter where you are in your mental illness management.
Special shout-out to @birdies.bipolar.brain for motivating the discussion
Psychology Today Article
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Mequell and Adam give a brief update and great news: Leonora gets a new swimmy which every puppy needs.
But the main discussion revolves around a recent lunch date Mequell had with a few ladies where some wildly inaccurate beliefs about mental illness were shared. Despite the fact that we spend so much time in this space educating and fighting stigma, it is still surprising when I hear the lack of education and incorrect beliefs that still perpetuate so many about the causes (and cures??) for mental illness. PS Exorcism is NOT the answer ...
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Mequell and Adam talk about his most recent business book read The 80/20 Principle by Richard Koch and how it applies to the mental illness world. Surprisingly, it is fairly congruent with Chapter 5 of Mequells book Thriving With Mental Illness. The bottom line of both being: work smarter in the areas that make the most difference. Simplify. Say no to things that don't produce results whether that's with money and business or stability and mental illness management.
mentalillnesswarrior.com
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Mequell and Adam discuss the previous week (when Mequell was decidedly UN-lovely) to pinpoint the difference when a generic medication was swapped out by the new pharmacist for a different manufacturer. According to Jeremy A. Green, MD, PhD of John Hopkins University, generic medications are not fully identical and that is why they don't always work exactly same. Or in Mequells case, why they don't work at all no matter what New Slice pharmacist says.
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Mequell and Adam are joined by Andrew Ramirez, a school counselor living with Bipolar Disorder type 1, PTSD and OCD. Andrew is the face behind @bipolar_realtalk, an account Mequell follows because of his fabulous motivational (but realistic) posts about WINNING every single day. He lives by the acronym R.A.G. which stands for Routine, Awareness and Gratitude.
Guys, Andrew is beyond cool, beyond insightful and extremely generous sharing his background and not only how he got to where he is today, but what he's learned from it as well. If I was a high school kid, I might have a bit of hero worship for Mr. Ramirez. Ok, let's be honest, I'm a grown up and I still have a bit of hero worship for him.
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Mequell and Adam are joined by the incredibly lovely actor Alexia Fast to talk about her experience living with a bipolar diagnosis. She shares why she has recently chosen to be public with her story and what it has looked like for her in the movie industry. She is charming and gracious and after listening to her episode, you will fall in love with her too, just like we did.
Follow her at @purealexiafast on Instagram
Alexia is an ambassador for the Stigma Free Society
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Mequell and Adam are joined by Dr. Kim Buck, PhD, LPC, CCS, CSAT Yes, that's a lot of acronyms but she's a whole lotta awesome so that checks out. She talks about the new direction of counseling with a prodependent focus instead of a codependent one. She discusses what healthy boundaries look like and how to support someone in crisis. Go listen! You are going to realize quickly that "a whole lotta awesome" is a massive understatement.
https://familystrategies.org/kim-buck/
https://www.amazon.com/Practicing-Prodependence-Alternative-Codependency-Treatment-ebook/dp/B09YWPDSG6
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Mequell and Adam are joined by Kevin & Margaret Hines for their first ever "couples double date" on the podcast. It did a not disappoint. We hit the jackpot convincing Margaret to join us on the podcast along with Kevin and we absolutely love her humor and pragmatism. She offers some extremely insightful advice on how to thrive as a couple and truly become teammates battling against the illness and winning.
Kevin survived a suicide attempt by jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge in 2000. He was one of 0.1% of people to miraculously survive the jump. He travels around the world delivering his important message that no matter how hard things get, there are ways to cope and lift others so that we can all "Be Here Tomorrow". He is caring and powerful radiating kindness and a genuineness that is hard to come by.
Separately, they are each incredible people who we are lucky to know. Together, they are an absolute powerhouse. You are invited to listen in on our "couples double date" but you have to bring your own treats.
Instagram: @kevinhinesstory
@marghines
@hinesightpodcast
Website: https://www.kevinhinesstory.com/
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Mequell and Adam spend the episode talking about things they've been grateful for this year. Hint: the AMAZING listeners are top on the list. Thank you to all of you! Much Love xoxo Mequell and Adam
mentalillnesswarrior.com
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Mequell and Adam go through the whole discussion of why they landed on meds. (For a revisit of all the other avenues they tried refer to Ep. 5: Sifting through Treatment Options). Even though they are solidly in the camp that medication is required for her management, there are people who are able to maintain stability and manage using different treatment options. The key is to WORK WITH PROFESSIONALS! No one should be making the decision to go on or off meds unless working with a psychiatrist. Aaaand the main reason Mequell and Adam are so loud with beating the medication drum is because it seems like all the other voices are Anti Meds and frankly, the discussion just needs to be balanced since meds literally saved Mequells life.
mentalillnesswarrior.com
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Mequell and Adam are joined for a few precious minutes by the amazing Jen Hilderbrand as she prepares for the 3rd Annual Hope Gives Gala. Kevin Hines, Golden Gate Bridge suicide survivor and filmmaker, will be the featured speaker for this years event. In 2016, Mental Health America awarded Kevin their highest honor, The Clifford W. Beers Award for his efforts to improve the lives of and attitudes toward people with mental illnesses. To say we are giddy with excitement would be a massive understatement. We are so privileged to work with the incredible foundation Hope Gives and to have the opportunity to interact with so many who work diligently to make the world a better place for the Mental Illness Warriors and the Cheerleaders who love them.Xoxo
https://hopefoundationgives.org/
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hinesights-podcast/id1588982092
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Mequell and Adam talk about the benefits of letting people in and site the 988 Suicide Hotline for examples of what you can say to ask for help. It takes way too much energy trying to hide how we're really doing and also takes away others ability to truly help us. Asking may not be as hard as you think.
https://988lifeline.org/help-yourself/
mentalillnesswarrior.com
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Mequell and Adam site a study (gotta get the deets from Adam but he's out of town lol) and discuss the concept of self-stigma (the shame and embarassment we put on ourselves) when living with mental illness. It can cause very low self-esteem and prevent us from focusing on the things we can control thus preventing us to live well with mental illness. We can fight the self-stigma by:
1) educating ourselves (go listen to Ep. 1 - What is Mental Illness)
2) becoming an advocate (go buy a cool Mental Illness Warrior sweatshirt)
3) getting treatment from professionals (psychiatrists and therapists who can help us reframe our narrative and give us tools to cope)
4) focusing on our strengths
5) understanding that a mental illness diagnosis doesn't define who we are
get your MIW sweatshirt here
www.mentalillnesswarrior.com
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Mequell and Adam share from the Advocacy for Change Project things that suicide attempt survivors wish their families knew. Some of them might surprise you! Tune in to hear ways that we can show love after a suicide attempt and ways that society sometimes shames those reaching out for help.
https://mentalillnesswarrior.com/
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Mequell and Adam share tips from an article (and ok, from personal experience as well) about what to say to help when someone is suicidal. You are not required to know how to deal with it, you're just required to facilitate getting them help. And the red flags to let you know when it's urgent might be much smaller than you're thinking even though they're there. Tune in for the discussion!
https://mentalillnesswarrior.com/
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Mequell and Adam address a frequently asked question about what role do life coaches play in the mental illness world? There is no substitute for qualified, licensed and experienced professionals when dealing with something as serious and nuanced as mental illness and the stakes are too high to be wrong.
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Mequell and Adam are joined by Paris Scobie, host of the Live Well Bipolar Podcast and author of Crooked Illness, for an incredible discussion. Paris shares her own story of her bipolar diagnosis and the work that she put in to become stable and happy. She's a rockstar y'all!!!
https://www.instagram.com/livewellbipolar/
https://mentalillnesswarrior.com/
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Mequell and Adam share the presentation Mequell was invited to give to a group of teens ... but unfortunately bad weather caused her to miss the plane (so so sorry!) ... nevertheless vital information for ourselves or our teens to help have a successful school year, manage their mental health and act preventatively to prevent unnecessary crashes. Hint -- it's about pacing yourself. And if you're interested in hearing the back story of Mequell's childhood crush, refer back to Ep. 46 - The Downside of Mania https://mentalillnesswarrior.com/
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Mequell and Adam review a study about teens and their willingness to open up about depression and other mental health related topics. Surprisingly (or not) they ARE willing to talk to us IF we will listen. Tune in (for the first "try" video episode) to learn how to avoid stepping in it and also tips on how to keep your face quiet.
https://mentalillnesswarrior.com/
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Mequell and Adam have a much needed discussion about the top signs of good mental health for men and the reasons why it's sometimes an extra challenge for them to get what they need. Adam is the star of the show sharing times when he's struggled and things that helped him since he's a man and Mequell isn't. There's also some pretty great information about why you should never bum-rush a bear. And even though we're a few weeks late and Men's Mental Health Awareness month is over, Adam assures us this information is applicable all year round.
Mental Illness Warrior Website
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Mequell and Adam have a discussion that's a hot topic and that can be slightly triggering in the mental illness world. Everyone loves to discuss mental wellness but there is a misunderstanding that many have where they believe mental wellness and mental illness are on the opposite of the same continuum. They are not. You can have high mental wellness while living with severe mental illness, they are not mutually exclusive, just like you can have poor mental wellness even without a diagnosed mental illness. They discuss a 2010 study published in the Journal of Adult Development that articulates the differences and makes Mequell feel a little bit like "So there!" to all those naysayers who have considered it binary. But she's pretty sassy like that.
Journal of Adult Development
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10804-009-9082-y
Meme of the Week:
https://www.instagram.com/guccithemod/tagged/
Mental Illness Warrior
https://mentalillnesswarrior.com/
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Mequell and Adam are joined by Laurel Kelsey: Functional Nutrition Counselor and Exercise Physiologist for a fascinating and very educational discussion on the relationship between gut health and brain health. Laurel has years of both professional research and personal experience on this topic. Did you know that 90% of serotonin in our bodies is made in the gut? Yeah, we didn't either. Laurel not only has a coaching practice to share her brilliance but she is also a super cool chic. She has graciously offered both a free ebook and a free consultation to all of our listeners. See what I mean by a super cool chic?! You're not gonna want to miss this one. (links below)
Laurels ebook: Top 10 To-Do's to Decrease Stress and Improve Mental Health
Free Consult
Laurel Kelsey Coaching
Meme of the Week:
@TheAndrewNadeau
Ms Health and Fitness voting link
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Mequell and Adam respond (slightly aggressively on Mequell's part) to a repeat question posed many times over the years of "Wow! How do you even stay married?!" This is a very legitimate question if your warrior isn't stable because the weight on a relationship is huge. However your warrior is the same wonderful person you chose to marry even if they're not feeling it at the moment. The very best thing you can do as a partner is really be in it and understand that along with medication and treatment, there will also need to be changes on your part to help your relationship thrive.
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Mequell went waaaaay outside of her comfort zone and entered the Ms Health and Fitness Competition as a Mental Illness Warrior and Suicide Survivor. She made it through to the online voting rounds and now explains the reason why she entered and how you can help spread even more awareness and education around the topic of mental illness.
Give it a listen and vote here! Much love warriors xoxo Mequell
https://mshealthandfitness.com/2023/mequell-bu
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Mequell and Adam are joined by Officer Tyler Service to discuss his take on the mental illness crisis. Tyler has specific insights as he has responded to crisis calls and worked as a resource officer with teens. He also shares the impact traumas have on officers and his own experience dealing with trauma and getting help himself.
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Mequell and Adam are joined by psychologist, author and educator Dawn Day as they discuss her own experience parenting her three girls through periods of suicidality. She is very open and real about the challenges and hardships experienced and the differences between her professional training and having it in her own family. No one likes to eat humble pie. Along with her own experience they discuss Dawn's book "Helpless Night; Hopeful Dawn" and how to maintain hope during a challenging time. The best part is Dawn's twelve pieces of advice for other parents experiencing this heartache.
Get Dawn's book here
Follow Dawn's Instagram here
Check out Dawn's website here
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Mequell and Adam discuss hearing from two beloved listeners.
Big takeaways:
- Everyone needs connection (even us!)
- How to help a critic become a cheerleader
https://mentalillnesswarrior.com/
Instagram: Bipolar_2_Life
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Mequell and Adam share some research and funny real-life examples about the effects medication (specifically SSRIs and beta-blockers which are most anti-depressants and anxiety meds currently prescribed) have on both the quality of the dreaming and your ability to recollect them in the morning. Bad news: these types of meds usually cause nightmares AND make you to remember them in detail. Good news: the nightmares aren't real life but sometimes the leftover emotions from them are.
Very Well Mind Article
Good Rx Article
Mental Illness Warrior Website
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Mequell and Adam talk about the #1 factor in preventing suicide: Flexibility. There has to be flexibility in thinking and when approaching the very real need of lifting the heavy weight when living with mental illness. Warriors need to be surrounded by awesome cheerleaders who love them but the way to truly help isn't giving a pep talk in how to be mentally stronger because those living with mental illness every freaking day are the strongest people you will ever meet! Being an awesome cheerleader means brainstorming together ways to actually change circumstances so the weight can be lifted. Know What's What!
They also give a sneak peek on all of the Ah-MA-zing merch coming soon to mentalillnesswarrior.com
Meme of the week by Jon @ArfMeasures and reposted by @bipolar_2_life
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Mequell and Adam talk through some listener comments she's gotten recently that seem to indicate people may not really think she lives with this anymore ... or that she has it all figured out ... or that she has such MAD skills she's totally cured (none of which are true). Mental Illness does not go away, it must be managed. Forever. Until you die. Sounds dire yes, but with aforementioned mad skills, life can still be full and happy but you just might be spending a little more time in your pajamas than you previously anticipated.
And in case you're wondering about the song reference, check out Sam Fischer "Carry It Well"
Meme of the Week credit to: @ramblinma
https://mentalillnesswarrior.com/
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Mequell and Adam are SO excited to announce the launching of their website Mental Illness Warrior. We hope to bring hope, humor and resources to those in the trenches.
https://www.mentalillnesswarrior.com/
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Mequell and Adam are joined by Jen Hilderbrand, President of the non-profit HOPE Mental Health Foundation. HOPE believes therapy is for everyone and seeks to provide financial assistance to those in a time of crisis. Jen got started in this incredible work because of her own personal experience and the change she saw in her own life when she was able to do the hard work of therapy guided by a great counselor. There is no substitute for tools that are gained through the therapy process. Jen believes everybody deserves that chance. "Pick a therapist, do the work and go get your life back."
Instagram: @hope_gives
https://hopefoundationgives.org/
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Mequell and Adam discuss the stressors, realities and benefits of setting goals in a way that will work when living with mental illness. They also talk about how to best support as a cheerleader and encourage the setting of healthy, realistic goals for your mental illness warrior.
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Mequell and Adam are joined by a listener (and self proclaimed Fan Girl ;) Kelsey Williams. She shares her story being diagnosed with bipolar and her experience through college, as a newlywed, pregnancies and being a young mom while working with medications, psychiatrists and counseling. She has put in a tremendous amount of work and has some brilliant advice for others in her stage of life. I especially love the advice from her excellent counselor to do something in these five areas each day: 1-physical, 2-emotional, 3-sexual, 4-intellectual and 5-connection. Well done Kelsey!
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Mequell and Adam are joined by licensed marriage and family therapist Crystal Bowman for a discussion about the importance of evolving as a parent and allowing room for growth. Parenting is always a challenge but even more so when our children are working through their own mental health and mental illness issues. They address some listener questions about the rise in popularity of labeling common challenges in relationships as toxic or traumatic and how we can love and support our children from afar when they distance themselves.
Arizona Family Institute
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Mequell and Adam respond to a listener question of how to manage obligations (and sometimes guilt) that comes from extended family. Saying no to events and things that will overspend us is always tricky but even more so when it's with people we love (hopefully ;) Listen in for ideas on how to avoid 'stepping in it' and yes, it's from stories and experiences that we did in fact step in over the years. Perfect timing before the holiday season!
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Mequell and Adam are joined by Clinical Psychologist Quentin Brown for a fascinating discussion on specific issues LGBTQ+ individuals face and why suicide statistics are four times higher in this demographic. He shares his own experience of coming out as a gay man and experiencing suicidal ideation and thoughts for the first time. Most importantly he shares how we can help, support and hopefully prevent these individuals from experiencing loneliness and hopelessness by letting them know you belong here exactly where you are and exactly the way you are.
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Mequell and Adam are joined by Sam (resident young adult and brains behind the scenes) for a discussion about why peer support is vital to help our teens and why peers provide a support role that can't be filled by parents. He shares his own experiences and offers ideas on how to be the best freakin friend ever and what to do if going to your parents is not a realistic option. And yeah, you're all gonna want to be his best friend after listening to this.
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Mequell and Adam are back for Season 4. Trigger warning this is an angry episode Mequell talks about how loud and frustrating and screamy it feels inside her head when meds are not on point. Mequell and Adam share some research and ideas to cope when ruminating thoughts truly don't have a solution and your brain will. not. shut. up. about. it.
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Mequell and Adam talk about the newly rolled out 988 Suicide Crisis Hotline and how to be a good help yourself as you're responding to a crisis. They also send a huge shout out to ALL of the cheerleaders and warriors in the mental health world working to make it a safer and more supportive space. <3
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Mequell and Adam are joined by Katie Clark, founder of Peak Behavioral Consulting and Board Certified Behavioral Analyst (BCBA). Katie has years of experience in studying what she calls "the science that backs all the other sciences" which is essentially gathering, tracking and analyzing behaviors and why we do them. Mequell was geeking out the entire episode because tracking and analyzing data was the catalyst in figuring out her own mental illness and Katie is the only person who's ever been as excited about it as she is. Katies insight is invaluable and madly applicable in the world of mental illness both for us and for our kiddos. Katie is brilliant, hilarious and also uses cool vocabulary words like maladaptive and antecedent. Oh and she also doesn't like big birthday parties...
Website www.peakbehavior.com
Instagram @peak_behavior
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Mequell and Adam are joined by Crystal Partney, CEO of Scattering Hope which is an organization to help support after losing someone to suicide. Crystal started this organization after losing her own sister Gina and talks about the heart and soul behind her work. She is hosting a virtual summit July 11 - 24 featuring so many speakers addressing so many aspects of healing! Y'all go listen cuz it's gonna be awesome! She also founded a sister organization Owl and Thistle offering ways to support and love to prevent suicide.
www.scatteringhope.com
www.owlandthistle.com
Instagram: @scattering.hope
Meme of the week brought to you by:
Instagram: @bipolar_2_life
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www.kateymcpherson.com @kateyaz1
Mequell and Adam are joined by youth mental health advocate Katey McPherson. Katey has over 25 years experience as a teacher, guidance counselor and school administrator. She joins us for a discussion around helping our youth with coping, connectivity and ultimately keeping them safe with the rash of suicides and violence we are seeing. She offers real solutions in how to become trusted adults and steps to take in building resources within our community.
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Mequell and Adam are joined by LMFT Jessica Westover to address legitimate issues within families living with mental illness. She offers very practical tips and ideas on how to improve relationships including taking breaks or "giving it a minute" as Mequell always likes to say :)
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Mequell and Adam answer a listener question of how to recognize the different stages of mania and what you can do to help.
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Mequell and Adam have a discussion around personality changes that can occur with medications answering a listener question. Sometimes those changes cause a swing a personality that lands in a spot (just like the depression) that is not your warriors true self. This doesn't mean that medication doesn't work or isn't worth taking. All this means is there is still a little more work to do to get them back to their very best selves.
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Mequell and Adam are joined by Clinical Mental Health Counselor Jeni Gessel MCMH - LAC for an enlightening (and complicated) discussion surrounding boundaries. Whether you are the warrior or cheerleader in dealing with mental illness keeping relationships healthy is the most important thing we can do.
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Mequell and Adam are joined by Fitness and Wellness Management expert Cheri Johnson of the Six Pack Dad Tribe who also happens to live with OCD. Along with an excellent discussion around OCD and her experience Cheri also shares principles of good habits, nutrition and exercise that have helped her cope.
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Mequell and Adam respond to a listener question of how to handle things when the situation is reversed and the husband (and sometimes primary provider) is the one who struggles with mental illness. There are a whole different range of feelings, challenges and hurdles when figuring out how to provide for and support your family in all the ways when traditional roles might need to be reexamined. They are joined by Laura who graciously shares her own experience with her husband who deals with mental illness and the difficult journey that has brought them to the happy place they are now. Laura is oh so wise and inspirational!
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Mequell and Adam discuss the pros (and cons) of having an emotional support animal (our cavapoo Leonora) along with some research and studies that have been done about the benefits. Pros: lick licks and puppy cuddles Cons: lady pants and extra responsibility when you're down
Would we recommend? Still yes
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Mequell and Adam respond to a question several listeners have posed recently which is "How do I help my struggling child?" These kids are in situations where their parents are afraid for their safety and trying to keep them alive but the question becomes "How do I balance expectations in helping my child progress while still ensuring their safety?" Obviously a complicated question which requires the professional help of great psychiatrists and psychologists. Mequell and Adam discuss things that helped them navigate this time period with Sam in particular and how they relied heavily on the guidance of Sams psychiatrist which was to set all expectations aside just for a minute and give Sam a chance to stabilize. This advice was exactly opposite of all the parenting advice they got from everywhere else but when dealing with mental illness and teens sometimes traditionally great parenting advice ends up actually being the worst advice. Bonus info: Sam shared tips from his own perspective on how parents can help their teens most effectively. (Go back and listen to Episodes 9 and 10 for more background on Sams situation and why his current advice is actually quite brilliant!)
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Mequell and Adam discuss the reality that there are no ready made heroes who come to the table with all of the tools in place to be an amazing cheerleader to the mental illness warriors. Everybody starts off as a remedial hero and learns through both education and proper tools and also from stepping in it along the way. All it takes to become a great support person though is a desire to do so and a willingness to learn. Here are 3 simple things to do today to become a better cheerleader for your warrior. xoxoxo
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Mequell and Adam are joined by Sam Stapley (the lovely Eliza's husband from a few episodes back) as he shares his experience, wisdom and knowledge gained by his exposure to mental illness. He shares how invaluable the tools and communication learned through therapy have been for both of them. We say all the time how mental illness has made both our marriage and our lives better and Sam confirms that he and Eliza have had the same experience. Having mental illness is a hard thing in a relationship it's true but Sam shares that not only is their marriage much stronger but he is a better human being after going through this experience with Eliza. Get yourself a man like Sam! (or a man like Adam, you're great too babe ;)
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Mequell and Adam are joined by author and goal setting expert Skye Fagrell who walks us through successful goal setting principles ..... aaaand then Mequell translates them into what someone with mental illness may feel like when going through the whole goal setting exercise. Hopefully listeners understand the best kind of goals for them, how to balance aggressive goals so they're motivating and not defeating, ways to make your goals work through the ups and downs of mental illness and that putting on clean underwear and brushing your teeth are perfectly acceptable goals to have. Carpe Diem 2022! Huzzah!!!
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Mequell and Adam are joined by Eliza Stapley a young married BYU student to talk about her own experience with mental illness and how it affected dating her now husband Sam, going through pregnancy and ultimately losing her babies. Even though the experiences have been heartbreaking Eliza shares a message of hope about how learning to live with her mental illness prepared her in a way to deal with the grief of loss. She's a gem that Eliza!
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Mequell and Adam discuss the top five reasons people stop treatment citing the NAMI study. Yeah figuring out the right treatment is hard. Yeah it takes time. Yeah there will be course corrections along the way. But yeah it's also worth it when you finally feel good again.
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Mequell and Adam are joined by Spencer Holt PhD. Spencer is corporate business leader and executive coach who teaches and trains CEOs and business executives around the world in ways to be more effective both as leaders and as people. Spencer has developed part of his coaching to address anxiety and guide corporate leaders on how to effectively deal with it in the workplace. He draws on valuable insight from his own career and experiences and brings that insight to the table for both leaders and those of us who deal with anxiety on a day to day level.
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Mequell and Adam are joined by clinical psychologist Dr. Joel Beckstead to discuss more in depth about how to be vulnerable in a healthy way. He answers listener questions about how to respond, appropriate ways to share and how to come out still feeling okay even if the response isn't what we wanted. He discusses how to have successful relationships and deep connections regardless of the type of struggles each person comes into the relationship with. Someone doesn't have to "get mental illness" to connect with you they just have to be willing to come into your world and see things from your perspective which is the same way we can support and connect with other people too. Most importantly vulnerability is a lifelong process for both those sharing and for those receiving. Great advice Joel!
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Mequell and Adam answer some listener questions and situations about how to handle all the "critics" in your life. You know, the ones who tell you to choose to be happy or try harder to cure your mental illness. 'insert eye roll here' It's a tricky situation because we do want to help educate those we love and interact with but we also need support while being a warrior. Then there are some people who just need the boot. Regardless of who the critics in your life are here are a few ideas on how to handle them.
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Mequell and Adam are joined by The Vegas Therapist Ryan Wynder, LMFT for a discussion about the specific challenges that can be faced by men when dealing with depression and other types of mental illnesses. Cultural and societal expectations can create more difficulties for men at work and in relationships with vulnerability, emotion and asking for help.
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Mequell and Adam follow up on the discussion with Mark Bell LMFT who joined us a few episodes ago about sexual and emotional intimacy with significant others. The discussion today is more of a practical application for parent/child and other types of relationships because when mental illness is involved it can be trickier than normal.
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Mequell and Adam are joined by Amanda Merrill who lost her AMAZING brother Todd to suicide. She dispels some misconceptions people may have about those who lose their life this way and also generously provides insights, feelings she dealt with and suggestions for those wanting to help.
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Mequell and Adam are joined by licensed marriage and family therapist Mark Bell who is a sex addiction specialist to discuss the topic of how mental illness can affect sexual intimacy. They answer listeners questions about both lack of desire in down cycles along with addressing issues of hypersexuality during mania. Good thing we had an expert for this one!
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Mequell and Adam discuss the recently published NAMI study (National Alliance on Mental Illness) and the differences between what those with mental illness say are the biggest difficulties living with it vs. what those who have no experience with mental illness think the hardest things are. The difference is eye opening!
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Mequell and Adam start Season 3 with a discussion about how supplements can affect medication answering the question "What in the heck happened in July???" They also talk about why people may not reach out when they're feeling down.
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Mequell and Adam talk about how mental illness and depression are not a static thing. It's a constant balancing act to regulate and manage your cycles with the ups and downs of life and sometimes you find yourself at the bottom. Again. And it sucks.
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Mequell and Adam discuss how to show love and support to somebody after a suicide attempt including both what to say and also what not to say. PS this episode was really hard to record and made us cry
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Mequell and Adam have a lawyerly discussion from Adams side and a practical discussion from Mequells side about things to do to succeed at work and the protections offered to those with mental illness by the ADA. Give it a listen and then go be your baddie self and rock it at work.
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Mequell and Adam discuss the difficulties of mania. Even though the extra energy feels AHmazing the distorted thinking makes it very difficult to control your thoughts kinda like upside down world in Stranger Things.
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Mequell and Adam discuss the differences between mania and hypomania and how to spot and manage triggers
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Kendra Karren joins Mequell and Adam to discuss how to recognize mania, her diagnosis of Bipolar Type 1 and things that she's learned along the way.
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Mental Health Advocate Darlyn Remington join Mequell and Adam for Mental Health Awareness Month to discuss ways to be a strong advocate for mental illness warriors
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Mequell and Adam discuss the additional difficulties mental illness can create when helping your teen and offer ideas to come out of it with your relationship intact
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The whole family joins Adam and Mequell to talk about the importance of sibling relationships and how to work through difficulties when dealing with challenges such as mental illness in the family.
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Mequell and Adam discuss 6 common misconceptions about mental illness referencing NAMI and St. Lucie Mental Health Hospital
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Mike joins Adam and Mequell to discuss the importance of Under Complicating in your life. Mike was one of the founding members of the L&D team at Facebook. He shares his unique message that success in the corporate world is achieved the same way as success in personal life and shares his thoughts about the great strides that have been made in addressing mental health and wellness as business owners and corporations.
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Vice President for State and Federal Advocacy at Mental Health America; Debbie Plotnick joins Mequell and Adam on this weeks episode. In addition to sharing her experiences with mental illness from her own family she also discusses policies, funding and programs from the top down so that when mental illness warriors and cheerleaders who love them fight from the bottom up there will be a safe place to land in the middle where the most amount of people can get the education and help that they need.
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Adrienne St. Clair, journalist and podcaster joins Mequell and Adam to share her experience being admitted to an in patient facility and how the key is to never give up when things are dark because brighter days are just around the corner.
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Psychiatrist Dr. Henry Schulte joins Mequell and Adam and answers many questions about when to consult a psychiatrist and shares his knowledge about medications.
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Therapist Paula Fontenelle joins Mequell and Adam to discuss the complicated grief that comes after losing a loved one to suicide. Paula's many resources can be found on her website: https://www.understandsuicide.com/
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Mequell and Adam discuss what steps to take when you are at rock bottom
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Mequell poses questions to Adam about his beliefs and experiences growing up and now about mental illness
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Mequell answers multiple questions from listeners and discusses them with Adam
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Mequell and Adam talk about how mental illness can affect your faith and the connection you feel with God
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Mequell and Adam visit with guest Ty Anderson about his experience and journey with schizoaffective disorder
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Mequell and Adams oldest son Max joins them for a discussion about the challenges and also the benefits of growing up in a home with mental illness and how ultimately it has the power to bring us closer.
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Cara Jones joins Mequell and Adam to share her story of how mental illness and perfectionism drove her to try and find relief through addiction.
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Mequell and Adam discuss the specific things that cheerleaders can do to help mental illness warriors lift the weight.
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Mequell and Adam begin Season 2 discussing the strength of mental illness warriors and how others can be cheerleaders
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Mequell and Adam answer a listeners question about what music she listens to and how it helps.
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Mequell and Adam answer a few listener questions they've received during the break
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Mequell and Adam wrap up Season 1 and discuss tips to simplify the holiday season and keep your mental health intact. Happy Holidays!
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Author Skye Fagrell joins Mequell and Adam for a discussion about how physical and intellectual fitness relate to mental fitness and health
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Mequell and Adam discuss charting in more detail and how to most effectively manage the cost of medications
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Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Mark Bell joins Mequell and Adam for a discussion around addiction.
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Mequell and Adam discuss how perfectionism can be detrimental to your mental health.
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Adam shares 10 things he's learned over the years as they've lived with mental illness. No one starts off getting it.
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Mequell and Adam catch up with Ella as she shares how she's managed her time and energy living away at college so she doesn't get overspent.
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Mequell and Adam discuss the question of when to get professional help if you're experiencing symptoms and what that help would look like
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Mequell and Adam talk about how expectations can contribute to feeling like a burden and how to combat that
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Mequell and Adam discuss her decision to be vulnerable by writing a book and the rewards that have come from that through creating connections
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Mequell and Adam discuss talking points about a newly released movie about mental illness: Words on Bathroom Walls which happens to be her all-time favorite.
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Mequell and Adam discuss the two leading factors that contribute to suicide and how to combat them.
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Clinical psychologist Dr. Joel Beckstead joins Mequell and Adam to discuss the number one health care crisis in America.
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Mequell and Adam discuss the role of a good psychologist and how they differ from psychiatrists.
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Mequell and Adam discuss the importance of controlling the fundamentals in order to maximize stability in managing mental illness
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Mequell and Adam discuss the importance of being flexible with education options for your teens
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Our son Sam joins us and shares his experience in learning to communicate and discusses how technology helped him when he was at his lowest.
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Mental illness is often misunderstood and can sometimes put a strain on relationships. Mequell and Adam share a few tips they have learned over 24 years of marriage to help you protect your relationships and stay connected with those you love.
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Our daughter Ella joins us to share her own experience with mental illness and her realization that she can separate herself from her symptoms.
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Mequell and Adam discuss what the process of finding the right medication combination looks like in real life
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Mequell and Adam discuss the many different treatment options available and all of Mequell's many experiences with them before finally settling on treating her mental illness with medication.
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Mequell and Adam discuss ways to manage your time and energy to work around mental illness and avoid burn out.
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Mequell shares insights from her own life as they discuss how to understand and prevent suicide.
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Mequell and Adam introduce themselves and the podcast.
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Mequell and Adam explain what mental illness is and how to be a good friend to someone struggling.
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