Mental health is a multidimensional aspect of our well-being, encompassing emotional, psychological, and social facets. Hence, it prompts us to view individuals not through the narrow lens of diagnoses but as complex beings with diverse emotional, psychological, and social needs.    However, many people fail to separate the person who struggles with their mental health from the labels imposed by diagnoses. As our guest speaker aptly points out, changing the narrative from "that person is a...

Schools are the hub of a community. In our present era, understanding the holistic well-being of students, from academic to personal struggles, becomes paramount. However, the disconnect between parents, students, and schools is a widespread issue that impedes this whole-child growth. This disconnection often arises from a lack of understanding about the challenges students face, particularly regarding family issues and mental health concerns.   To address this disconnection, we must adopt...

Trauma is a complex phenomenon that goes beyond just the stereotypical "big" events. It encompasses a wide range of experiences, including what some might consider smaller stressors. In its broader definition, trauma includes any experience that overwhelms us, whether it's too much, too soon, too much for too long, or too little for too long.   Moreover, it is vital to recognize that the impact of trauma is not limited to mental health but also has a profound physical effect on the body. To...

How can we create a world where kindness and empathy for mental health challenges are the norm? How often do we overlook the intrinsic connection between our mental and physical health?   Mental health is physical health. Mental health is not an isolated facet of our existence but an integral component of our physical well-being. Unfortunately, this crucial connection is often overlooked since mental health issues plague our society. The stigma around mental health remains a challenging...

Mental health is discovering and embracing your authentic self while equipping yourself with the tools to stand in your truth confidently. It's an ongoing process of self-discovery, self-care, and maintaining a balance that allows you to thrive. Just as you can't pour from an empty cup, taking care of your mental health ensures you can support not only yourself but also those around you. It's about acknowledging the importance of inner well-being and actively nurturing it.   In this...

Diversity is a factual reality, equity is a conscious choice, inclusion requires proactive action, and belonging is the ultimate result. The episode highlights the significance of choosing equity to create a just and inclusive environment.   In this episode, we want to help individuals better understand diversity, equity, and inclusion. As we live in a highly diverse society, encompassing various backgrounds and identities. Equity, on the other hand, is a choice, and it involves treating...

Have you ever wondered how we can break down mental health's complexities into a language everyone can understand? Do you want to be part of a movement that embraces mental health and empowers individuals to seek support and understanding?   Mental health is a deeply personal journey that is unique to each individual. It is essential to recognize that mental health is not a one-size-fits-all concept. What works for one person may not work for another. It includes medications, therapies, and...

How can we create a more compassionate and supportive environment that prioritizes mental health and wellness? Are you ready to join the effort to build communities of care that promote mental wellness and create a better future for all students?   Mental health is an essential aspect of overall health, and it is crucial to take care of our mental health as we do with our physical health. Hence, there is a growing recognition of the importance of mental health in society, and efforts are...

How can we be more effective at enhancing and becoming more conscious of our mental health? How can we come together to ensure everyone has the best mental health possible, regardless of how it manifests itself?   According to the World Health Organization, Half of all mental health conditions start by the age of 14. Mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and substance abuse are common among young people. Advocating for young people's mental health is crucial since it can...

Have you ever tried to cover your emptiness on the inside? How can we indeed cope with grief and loss during the holidays?   The holidays bring joy for many, but they can be challenging for those impacted by mental illness, grief, and loss. We can never control many things in this world, such as life, death, and how people will treat us. And with those things, we can all feel the pain of every single thing that is giving us hurtful memories. And some of us tend to suppress our emotions and...

Anxiety has been the number one mental health concern that is widely encountered nowadays. It has many different symptoms, ranging from hyperarousal to behavioral issues, which indicates a significant global health burden. However, when in this state, it can sometimes be challenging to speak up freely. There are misconceptions about mental health that we can visibly see around us.   People often view mental health issues as nothing more than temporary hormonal swings, and a person acts out...

How can we create a positive impact and change mental health education and awareness in a world where people think of mental health mostly in pessimistic ways? September is nationally recognized as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Suicide is the leading cause of death among youth ages 10-24, and more often than not, we don't do as much as we can to support children and people with mental health because we just don’t want to have the conversations. People don’t talk about mental health,...

In JAMA Pediatrics’ article published last 2019, they said that many mental health conditions first appear in youth and young adults, with 50% of all conditions beginning by age 14 and 75% by age 24. For years, bringing light to mental health education, awareness, and support has been a move that seemed too hard to achieve. In the same article, JAMA Pediatrics even stated that one in six youth have a mental health condition, like anxiety or depression, but only half receive any mental health...

In an increasingly intolerant world, having a safe place to go is critical for maintaining good mental health. A safe space is a physical or virtual location where you can relax and recharge. A safe haven where you can be yourself without fear of being judged. A safe space can exist in the abstract, such as during a sensitive subject conversation, or in physical forms, such as a private meeting room. NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Family Support Groups are peer-led and allow...

COVID 19 made a huge impact on everyone’s lives, especially students. Today, we talk about the state of student mental and emotional health pre and post-pandemic and how our educational leaders can support them. In a study conducted by The Jed Foundation (JED), 63% of students say that their emotional health is worse than before the COVID 19 pandemic, and 56% of students were significantly concerned with their ability to take care of their mental health hall. Students' emotional and mental...

In this episode, we have an exciting collaboration with Ellie Pike, host of the Mental Note podcast. During the conversation, Abraham opens up about his faith and journey of recovery through the lens of a Christian man struggling with depression. Ellie’s thoughtful questions allow Abraham to dive deep into the role that his faith plays in recovery, his cultural background, and the people and things that inspire him to be a mental health advocate.   Mental Note...

What does it mean to be mentally healthy? How often does depression come up in your life as an adult? What can I do when I find myself slipping into depression? These are some of the most common questions Abraham and Fani receive from workshop and seminar attendees. In this episode, they address many of these questions and share additional resources.     In this episode, we ALSO discuss:  Recognizing the signs and symptoms of depression,   Creating a mental health safety plan,...

October 10th is World Mental Health Day. This day is an opportunity to raise mental health awareness and break down stigma. It is also a reminder that mental health is health, and we play an active role in taking care of our mental health. Abraham and Fani Sculley discuss the importance of making mental health a priority and practical ways to experience joy and overall wellbeing.   In this episode, we ALSO discuss: What  mental health is and what it is NOT, and Having a holistic approach...

Dr. Ellen Astrachan-Fletcher has a wealth and breadth of experience treating patients with mood, anxiety and eating disorders. She is Lecturer at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Illinois at Chicago. She has over 20 years of clinical and teaching experience in the field of eating disorders and women’s mental health issues...

Abraham and Fani Sculley break down what it means to be H.O.T (Honest, Open, Transparent) and how it is an important aspect of prioritizing our mental health!   In this episode, we ALSO talk about:  The difficulty of being honest, open, and transparent,  The steps and strategies to consider when striving to be H.O.T, and  The benefits of being H.O.T and how it positively impacts our lives and relationships.    Connect with Abraham @abrahamsculley  Connect with...

Abraham invites Dr. Chatters for a candid conversation about supporting black students’ mental health. Lawrence Chatters, Ph.D. LIMHP PLP (he/him/his) is an independently licensed mental health practitioner and therapist. Lawrence earned Master’s and Doctoral degrees from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln’s Counseling Psychology program. Throughout his career, Lawrence has been heavily invested in promoting gender equity and addressing systemic racism in educational, mental health, and...

Abraham invites Chip Baker and Angre Amiger aka Mr. Bounce Back to share their stories of being impacted by others and how that impact influences them to impact the world. Abraham, Andre, and Chip also give a sneak peek of their new book, The Impact of Influence Vol. 2, Using Your Impact to Create a Life of Influence.   Chip Baker @chipbakertsc is a visionary author, speaker, and creator of The Success Chronicles.   Angre Amiger @andreamiger, aka Mr. Bounce Back, is a 3x stroke survivor,...

Abraham and Fani Sculley discuss the unique challenges that students are facing as they return to school. They also share ways to support students who are making the transition.   In this episode, we ALSO talk about: The role of mental health in academic performance, The importance of knowing the signs when students are struggling with their mental health, The benefits of peer-to-peer support and making mental health a priority.   Register now for the FREE upcoming suicide prevention...