The extreme impact of the pandemic on American mental health has become common knowledge. Mental health challenges are now front and center in our consciousness and conversation. This is regarded as a positive outcome of the pandemic in our lives. As Helen and Valerie delve into their own struggles, survival skills, and successes during this unprecedented national crisis, they are faced with a compelling question. Have we gained anything of lasting value? Is there an upside to the pandemic’s...

Episode 17 is devoted to one of the looming crises of today: the impact of the pandemic on the mental health of American youth. Helen and Valerie will be joined by two special guests, Dr. Melissa Eshelman and Lt. Wayne Sneed. With these experts, they will delve into the causes, behaviors, symptoms, and impact of the pandemic on children, adolescents and young adults. They’ll also offer advice to families and caretakers, and discuss the treatment methods that give them hope. Follow Valerie...

The role that genetics plays in mental health is a thrilling aspect of psychiatric research and development. The potential to diagnose, treat, and overcome mental illnesses emerges in the genetic breakthroughs that Helen and Valerie explore in this riveting episode. These findings indicate a new hope for sparing years of suffering and promoting earlier recovery from psychiatric illnesses. Their guest tells an inspirational personal story that illuminates the points made in the episode. Don’t...

Post-traumatic stress disorder, PTSD, has become a household word. Yet it remains one of the most complex and pernicious mental illnesses in the field. Due to the challenges, Valerie and Helen have devoted two concurrent episodes to understanding, treating, and recovering from the impact of trauma on a life. Join them for Episodes 14 and 15 to learn how to fight, and overcome, this complicated illness, PTSD. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 Post-traumatic stress disorder, PTSD, has become a household word. Yet today it remains one of the most complex and pernicious mental illnesses in the field. Given the challenges of understanding, treating, and recovering from the impact of trauma on a life, Valerie and Helen have devoted two concurrent episodes to the subject. Join them for Episodes 14 and 15 to learn how you can fight, and overcome, this complicated illness, PTSD. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mindfulness is one of the most popular aspects of Mental Health: Hope and Recovery. As a gift to their listeners, Valerie presents the favorite mindfulness exercises of 2021. Join Helen and Valerie for an episode full of peace, safety and well-being Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The holidays present many challenges for people with a mental health condition. The season and its demands can affect relationships, finances, symptoms, and survival. Helen and Valerie explore skills, methods and strategies to create healthy holidays and to be well prepared for the new year Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

People living with a mental condition and law enforcement officers have this in common: they rarely make the news except when something tragic happens. In reality, there are positive stories in both communities. These communities often intersect in times of crisis. In this episode, Valerie, Helen and their guest, a veteran officer with the Austin Police Department, explore these situations and the changes in law enforcement crisis intervention. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit...

Eating disorders—one of the most complex and the most lethal of all mental illnesses. In this episode, Valerie and Helen investigate eating disorders with specialist Neathery Falchuk, LCSW. They reveal that these illnesses can be overcome by treatment and support. Join them for a riveting journey of courage and hope.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mental illness can have a devastating impact on a person’s dreams and goals. How can your vision for your life be retrieved and made achievable? In this episode, Helen and Valerie demonstrate the goal-setting methods and skills that worked for them as they fought their way back from illness into recovery.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Suicidal thinking is the most dangerous aspect of mental illness. The outcome is literally the tragic possibility of a lost life. Having both survived suicide attempts, Valerie and Helen possess deep knowledge of this life or death crisis. In this episode, they offer their personal understanding of how they recovered from the hell of suicidal thinking. They will be joined by therapist Jenny Whitten, LCSW to examine methods of treatment and intervention. They’ll provide key information for the...

How to deal with the lived experience of self-injury? Valerie and Helen face it head on: their own experience with it; how to let it go and move into recovery. They will be joined by therapist Shayna Barksdale, LCSW, for a candid episode about this painful, little understood behavior. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As they discuss intimate and romantic relationships, Valerie and Helen demonstrate the changes and growth of these relationships throughout their journeys. The absolute necessity of friendships was instrumental in their recovery and, at times, literally lifesaving. Join them as they explore the impact of intimacy on a person’s life and mental health.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join Helen and Valerie as they forge through the complicated, shifting territory of family relationships. Listen as they tell stories of juggling family dynamics alongside the battle of recovery. They will reveal whether they could build happier, healthier family relationships within their changing worlds.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join a unique conversation with Helen and Valerie as they discuss the therapeutic relationship with Valerie’s psychiatrist of 28 years, Dr. Trey Aoueille. Their teamwork led to her recovery, and this is the story of their successful journey. You’ll also hear the answers to many questions that you’ve always wanted to ask a therapist.

In the first of a four-part series on relationships, Helen and Valerie discuss healthy and unhealthy relationships, and how to tell the difference. They share how their relationships are richer as they have grown, developed, and made the changes needed for living in recovery. They also discuss the importance of having a solid support network as part of your recovery.

Helen and Valerie discuss the stages of recovery as an individual process that is a journey, not a destination. Helen tells her dramatic story of struggle and triumph over multiple mental illnesses.

Welcome to Mental Health: Hope and Recovery. In their first episode, Helen and Valerie discuss the concept of recovery as a personal definition, the ups and downs of recovery, and their belief that recovery is a life-long wellness plan. Valerie shares her difficult journey of battling mental health conditions, and her inspirational road to living in recovery.