Episodes

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#35 It’s Time To Talk About Suicide

talk about suicide says olga

Olga is a Technical Program Manager at Expedia. She is originally from Venezuela and now lives in Montreal.  Olga is also an active YouTuber with her channel Cronopio.  Growing up in a Latino community with an alcoholic father and a stoic mother, Olga learned that you don’t complain and you don’t talk about your feelings.  Because of that, Olga was emotionally isolated. At 15 she decided to commit suicide by playing Russian roulette.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 43:41 — 23.0MB)

In this episode of Silent Superheroes, Olga shares the difference she sees between someone serious about suicide and someone using it as a cry for help.  She speculates why mental health is a taboo subject in the Latino community.  And finally she exhorts us all to open up and talk about our feelings, especially employers. For her, it’s time to talk about suicide.

Links

  • Olga’s Cronopio Website (link)
  • Olga’s Cronopio YouTube Channel (link)

About Suicide

Suicide, taking your own life, is a tragic reaction to stressful life situations — and all the more tragic because suicide can be prevented. Whether you’re considering suicide or know someone who feels suicidal, learn suicide warning signs and how to reach out for immediate help and professional treatment. You may save a life — your own or someone else’s.

It may seem like there’s no way to solve your problems and that suicide is the only way to end the pain. But you can take steps to stay safe — and start enjoying your life again.

Due to these factors, if you’re feeling overwhelmed by thoughts of not wanting to live or you’re having urges to attempt suicide, get help now. Please, it’s time to talk about suicide.

Getting Support

Remember, the people you hear on Silent Superheroes are sharing their own views about mental health and mental illness. They are not giving advice. For that reason, please consult with your care provider before making a change to your treatment plan.

It’s important to take your mental health seriously. Consequently, if you need to speak to someone you can call 1-800-273-8255, or text crisistextline.org on 741741. Both provide 24×7 confidential counseling to people in the United States. Worldwide visit http://iasp.info/resources/Crisis_Centres/

Because you listened to the  podcast, you can help others find it by leaving us a review on iTunes. Or if you don’t use iTunes, leave a review on your favorite podcasting service.

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#34 Making Rap Music As Therapy

making rap music as therapy mental health podcast

Dillon and Wesley are a rap duet who perform under the names Weslex and MySYN. Wesley and Dillon took different paths through life.  Whereas Dillon was the broody kid a little withdrawn from others, writing poetry and coming from a broken home.  Wesley was the sociable, happy kid making everybody laugh. Despite different paths, their church brought them together. Wesley’s determination to make a hip-hop record lead them to record “A Really Bad Mixtape”, an album that deals with depression, dysthymia and bipolar. There they discovered making rap music is therapy.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 44:24 — 21.6MB)

In this episode of Silent Superheroes, Wesley and Dillon share their different paths to diagnosis. They also talk about how they started making music together, and the role of music as therapy in their lives.  Finally, they reflect on what they’ve learned through this journey and offer hope to those who are suffering but not yet diagnosed.

Links

  • Mood Swings Pt. 1 (song)
  • Depression 101 (song)
  • A Really Bad Mix Tape (album)
  • Wesley on Soundcloud (profile)

About Bipolar

Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that causes big mood swings. For example, emotional highs called mania or hypomania, and lows called depression. On the other hand, bipolar disorder used to be called manic depression.

When depressed, bipolar patients may feel sad or hopeless and lose interest in most activities. Then, when the mood shifts to mania, patients may feel happy, full of energy or unusually irritable. These mood swings can affect sleep, energy, activity, judgment, behavior and the ability to think clearly.

Episodes of mood swings may occur rarely or multiple times a year. While most patients will experience some emotional symptoms between episodes, some may not experience any. Although bipolar disorder is a lifelong condition, patients manage mood swings and other symptoms by following a treatment plan. In most cases, bipolar disorder is treated with medications and counseling.

Getting Support

Remember, the people you hear on Silent Superheroes are sharing their own views about mental health and mental illness. They are not giving advice. For that reason, please consult with your care provider before making a change to your treatment plan.

It’s important to take your mental health seriously. Consequently, if you need to speak to someone you can call 1-800-273-8255, or text crisistextline.org on 741741. Both provide 24×7 confidential counseling to people in the United States. Worldwide visit http://iasp.info/resources/Crisis_Centres/

Because you listened to the  podcast, you can help others find it by leaving us a review on iTunes. Or if you don’t use iTunes, leave a review on your favorite podcasting service.

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#33 When Learning Disabilities Become A Superpower – Anne’s Story

learning disabilities dyslexia auditory processing disorder working memory weakness mental health podcast

In college, choosing a major was challenging for Anne. Her challenge wasn’t because she was a feckless student unable to pick something and stick to it.  It was because her undiagnosed learning disabilities made learning new subjects difficult.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 40:00 — 20.6MB)

Textbooks were a constant battle for Anne while going through school and college.  After a college therapist pointed out the discrepancy between different parts of her SAT scores she started investigating how she learned and processed information. As a result, Anne was diagnosed with Dyslexia, Auditory Processing Disorder and Working Memory Weakness.  These learning disabilities haven’t held Anne back, today she is a Learning Consultant with Indigo Slate.

In this episode of Silent Superheroes, Anne will explain how her learning disabilities lead her to cheat on a school test.  She’ll share how they affect her physically.  And finally she’ll share what businesses should be doing to make training more easy for people with learning disabilities.

Links

  • Anne’s Coaching Website (link)

About Dyslexia

Signs of dyslexia can be difficult to recognize before your child enters school, but some early clues may indicate a problem. Once your child reaches school age, your child’s teacher may be the first to notice a problem. Severity varies, but the condition often becomes apparent as a child starts learning to read.

Getting Support

Remember, the people you hear on Silent Superheroes are sharing their own views about mental health and mental illness. They are not giving advice. For that reason, please consult with your care provider before making a change to your treatment plan.

It’s important to take your mental health seriously. Consequently, if you need to speak to someone you can call 1-800-273-8255, or text crisistextline.org on 741741. Both provide 24×7 confidential counseling to people in the United States. Worldwide visit http://iasp.info/resources/Crisis_Centres/

Because you listened to the  podcast, you can help others find it by leaving us a review on iTunes. Or if you don’t use iTunes, leave a review on your favorite podcasting service.

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#32 On Being Bipolar 1 With Stephen Hays

podcast discussion on being bipolar 1

Stephen is the Founder and Managing Partner of “What If Ventures”. He is also the host of the Stigma podcast. Stephen has left a trail of destruction in his life due to undiagnosed bipolar 1. Three country clubs threw him out for being disruptive. He paid gambling debts by cashing in pensions and was unfaithful to his wife. With his life spiraling out of control, suicide looked like the only option. He booked a Vegas hotel room, partied hard meaning to end it all. The next day he woke up to find his wife and father looking over him. He had a choice, find a new way to live or risk following through next time.  Stephen now has a recovery program that helps him  live being bipolar 1 and his addictions.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 51:02 — 28.8MB)

In this episode, we discuss the role of religion and 12 Step programs in Stephen’s recovery. Stephen shares the colorful characters he had to meet to be willing to start the recovery process.  We discuss the representation of bipolar in the media, specifically the character Ben from season 3 of Ozark.  And finally, Stephen explains why he started the “What If Ventures” investment fund and how being completely candid has had unexpected outcomes.

Remote Medical International are sponsoring this episode of Silent Superheroes. Remote Medical International® helps clients manage and improve the health and well-being of their global workforce. By creating an ecosystem of medical screenings, on-site medical staff, and injury management, we improve the quality of on-site medical care while reducing costs.

Links

About Bipolar

Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that causes big mood swings. For example, emotional highs called mania or hypomania, and lows called depression. On the other hand, bipolar disorder used to be called manic depression.

When depressed, bipolar patients may feel sad or hopeless and lose interest in most activities. Then, when the mood shifts to mania, patients may feel happy, full of energy or unusually irritable. These mood swings can affect sleep, energy, activity, judgment, behavior and the ability to think clearly.

Episodes of mood swings may occur rarely or multiple times a year. While most patients will experience some emotional symptoms between episodes, some may not experience any. Although bipolar disorder is a lifelong condition, patients manage mood swings and other symptoms by following a treatment plan. In most cases, bipolar disorder is treated with medications and counseling. Causes of being bipolar 1 aren’t clear, so your doctor cannot typical answer the question “Why am I bipolar?”.

Getting Support

Remember, the people you hear on Silent Superheroes are sharing their own views about mental health and mental illness. They are not giving advice. For that reason, please consult with your care provider before making a change to your treatment plan.

It’s important to take your mental health seriously. Consequently, if you need to speak to someone you can call 1-800-273-8255, or text crisistextline.org on 741741. Both provide 24×7 confidential counseling to people in the United States. Worldwide visit http://iasp.info/resources/Crisis_Centres/

Because you listened to the  podcast, you can help others find it by leaving us a review on iTunes. Or if you don’t use iTunes, leave a review on your favorite podcasting service.

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#31 Why am I bipolar?

why am i bipolar? asks Carrie Brown Talking About Mental Health

Carrie started her career as a pastry chef in the United Kingdom.  30 years later, she’s a leader in the Ketogenic diet scene and the author of 5 popular Keto cookbooks including books on crock pot meals, soup and ice cream.  In between pastries and keto, Carrie spent twenty years working the grind of corporate America. It was there that she discovered she had bipolar 2.  Dissatisfied with her treatment options, she set off to find her own solution to bipolar 2. Ultimately she answered and to answer the question “Why am I bipolar?”.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 49:32 — 23.8MB)

In this episode of Silent Superheroes, Carrie will talk about her early life living misdiagnosed with depression.  She’ll share her experience of being handcuffed and sent to hospital for considering suicide.  And finally, she’ll explain the lifestyle changes she made based on researching her genetics and changing her diet, changes that have lead her to many years of bipolar free living.

Links

  • Read Carrie’s protocol for answering “Why am I bipolar?” (link)
  • Get Carrie’s Cook Books (link)
  • Watch Carrie on Youtube (link)
  • Visit Carrie’s website (link)

About Bipolar

Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that causes extreme mood swings. For example, mood swings include emotional highs called mania or hypomania, and lows called depression. On the other hand, Bipolar disorder used to be called manic depression.

When depressed bipolar patients may feel sad or hopeless and lose interest in most activities. Then, when a patients mood shifts to mania or the less extreme hypomania, patients may feel euphoric, full of energy or unusually irritable. These mood swings can affect sleep, energy, activity, judgment, behavior and the ability to think clearly.

Episodes of mood swings may occur rarely or multiple times a year. While most patients will experience some emotional symptoms between episodes, some may not experience any.Although bipolar disorder is a lifelong condition, patients manage mood swings and other symptoms by following a treatment plan. In most cases, bipolar disorder is treated with medications and psychological counseling. Causes of bipolar aren’t clear, so your doctor cannot typical answer the question “Why am I bipolar?”.

Getting Support

Remember, the people you hear on Silent Superheroes are sharing their opinions about mental health and mental illness. They are not giving advice. For that reason, please consult with your care provider before making a change to your treatment approach.

It’s important to take your mental health seriously. Consequently, if you need to speak to someone you can call 1-800-273-8255, or text crisistextline.org on 741741. Both provide 24×7 confidential counseling to people in the United States. Worldwide visit http://iasp.info/resources/Crisis_Centres/

Because you listened to the  podcast, you can help others find it by leaving us a review on iTunes. Or if you don’t use iTunes, leave a review on your favorite podcasting service.

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#30 Just Talk About It – Managing Anxiety and Depression

managing anxiety and depression silent superheroes mental health podcast

David is a former radio personality from Malta who is managing anxiety and depression. As an infant, David’s mother took him from Malta to Australia to start a new life. Unfortunately alcoholism and abuse followed them. After a difficult childhood David returned to Malta, the place of his birth, at 19 looking to start a new life. As he built a career and a family, the wounds of childhood continued to fester leading him to finally confront anxiety and depression.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 56:24 — 30.0MB)

In this episode of Silent Superheroes, David shares his life story and speaks about the impact of trauma on children. He gives a personal example of wearing “the mask” all Silent Superheroes wear when working while ill. Finally, David will share his recipe for managing anxiety and depression with simple tools he’s found that help.

Links

About Depression

Depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. This disorder is also called major depressive disorder or clinical depression. Depression affects how you feel, think and behave and can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems. Because of those problems, you may have trouble doing normal day-to-day activities, and sometimes you may feel as if life isn’t worth living.

More than just a bout of the blues, depression isn’t a weakness and you can’t simply “snap out of”. Depression may require long-term treatment but don’t get discouraged. Most people with depression feel better with medication, psychotherapy or both. People fare best when they commit to working with depression.

Getting Support

Remember, the people you hear on Silent Superheroes are sharing their opinions about mental health and mental illness. They are not giving advice. For that reason, please consult with your care provider before making a change to your treatment approach.

It’s important to take your mental health seriously. Consequently, if you need to speak to someone you can call 1-800-273-8255, or text crisistextline.org on 741741. Both provide 24×7 confidential counseling to people in the United States. Worldwide visit http://iasp.info/resources/Crisis_Centres/

Because you listened to the  podcast, you can help others find it by leaving us a review on iTunes. Or if you don’t use iTunes, leave a review on your favorite podcasting service.

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#29 Can You Climb The Ladder with Panic Disorder and Generalized Anxiety Disorder?

generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder mental health podcast

Ruth is a successful businesswoman who lived, undiagnosed, with panic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder for 20 years. One day, after a run-of-the-mill setback work, she found herself in her bath, contemplating suicide.  The next day, Ruth wondered who the woman was with dead eyes looking back at her. She had to go one more step down the ladder before she was able to connect with a mental health professional and start figuring out the panic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder that had plagued her for 20 years.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 53:07 — 29.0MB)

In this episode of Silent Superheroes, Ruth explains what Panic Disorder and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) are.  She talks about the sequence of events that brought 20 years of panic disorder and GAD to a head.  We discuss how workplaces create a self-perpetuating cycle that is hostile to good mental health.  And finally Ruth, now the Managing Director of Champs Consulting, leads a business bringing the conversation about mental health and tools to manage it to employers all over the world.

Links

  • Champs Consulting, Ruth’s business (business)

About Panic Attacks

A panic attack is a sudden episode of intense fear that triggers severe physical reactions when there is no real danger or apparent cause. Panic attacks can be very frightening. When panic attacks occur, you might think you’re losing control, having a heart attack or even dying.

Many people have just one or two panic attacks in their lifetimes, and the problem goes away, perhaps when a stressful situation ends. But if you’ve had recurrent, unexpected panic attacks and spent long periods in constant fear of another attack, you may have a condition called panic disorder.

Although panic attacks themselves aren’t life-threatening, they can be frightening and significantly affect your quality of life. But treatment can be very effective.

Getting Support

Remember, the people you hear on Silent Superheroes are sharing their opinions about mental health and mental illness. They are not giving advice. For that reason, please consult with your care provider before making a change to your treatment approach.

It’s important to take your mental health seriously. Consequently, if you need to speak to someone you can call 1-800-273-8255, or text crisistextline.org on 741741. Both provide 24×7 confidential counseling to people in the United States. Worldwide visit http://iasp.info/resources/Crisis_Centres/

Because you listened to the  podcast, you can help others find it by leaving us a review on iTunes. Or if you don’t use iTunes, leave a review on your favorite podcasting service.

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#28 Who am I beyond my illness? Rachel’s journey with anorexia

anorexia illness mental health podcast

It’s a question that many people with chronic illnesses must face. Answering that question pulled Rachel back to living her life after four years of hospitalization. As a young teenager, she struggled to find her own identity and place in the world. It was that struggle that lead to her to her pre-anorexia and later anorexia diagnosis. Controlling her food intake was a way to control her emotions and a cry for help. Eventually deemed “treatment resistant,” she focused more on her education and found her way back to her passions and life.

Listen To Episode 28

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 54:41 — 28.6MB)

In this episode of Silent Superheroes, we learn what landed Rachel in a psychiatric institution. She explains how she navigated multiple psychiatric facilities and medical interventions. We hear how her story evolved once she was at college and living on her own. Finally, we’ll hear how support from friends and an intervention helped to pull her out of her lowest point. From there, finding a good therapist and doing the work were key to her recovery.

About Anorexia

Anorexia is an eating disorder characterized by an abnormally low body weight, an intense fear of gaining weight. People with anorexia place value on controlling their weight, in ways that tend to significantly interfere with their lives.

To prevent weight gain, people with anorexia usually severely restrict the amount of food they eat. They may control calorie intake by vomiting after eating or through misusing medications. They may also try to lose weight by exercising excessively.

Anorexia isn’t about food. It’s an extremely unhealthy and sometimes life-threatening way to try to cope with emotional problems. When you have anorexia, you often equate thinness with self-worth. Anorexia, like other eating disorders, can take over your life and can be very difficult to overcome. But with treatment, you can gain a better sense of who you are. You can return to healthier eating habits and reverse some of anorexia’s serious complications.

Getting Support

Remember, the people you hear on Silent Superheroes are sharing their opinions about mental health and mental illness. They are not giving advice. For that reason, please consult with your care provider before making a change to your treatment approach.

It’s important to take your mental health seriously. Consequently, if you need to speak to someone you can call 1-800-273-8255, or text crisistextline.org on 741741. Both provide 24×7 confidential counseling to people in the United States. Worldwide visit http://iasp.info/resources/Crisis_Centres/

Because you listened to the  podcast, you can help others find it by leaving us a review on iTunes. Or if you don’t use iTunes, leave a review on your favorite podcasting service.

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#27 The Flywheel of Mental Wellness

mental wellness on mental health podcast with jonathan shooshani

Jonathan Shooshani is the co-founder of HR tech company Joon, that makes it easy for employees to self direct their benefits. For HR and finance teams, Joon eliminates the administrative burden of physical and mental wellness initiatives.

Listen To Episode 27

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 36:46 — 18.9MB)

For some people, total wellness is something that comes to them as part of a wellness kick during adulthood.  That’s not true for Jonathan, he has been experimenting with ways to improve his body and mind since finding a workout book in his Dad’s closet as a kid.  That discovery set him on a lifelong journey of experiments to improve his physical and mental wellness to help him live the life he wants to lead.  A life that has led to co-founding a business to help others improve their wellness and lives.

In this episode of Silent Superheroes, we’ll hear how Jonathan started his wellness journey.  He’ll share how two moments of astounding clarity helped him fend off addiction and depression.  He’ll share the list of unusual things he does right now to develop physical and mental wellness.  Most important of all he’ll tell us how his wellness journey led him to co-found Joon as a way to help employers meet their employees wellness needs, wherever the employee is on their journey.

Links

Getting Support

Remember, the people you hear on Silent Superheroes are sharing their opinions about mental health and mental illness. They are not giving advice. For that reason, please consult with your care provider before making a change to your treatment approach.

It’s important to take your mental health seriously. Consequently, if you need to speak to someone you can call 1-800-273-8255, or text crisistextline.org on 741741. Both provide 24×7 confidential counseling to people in the United States. Worldwide visit http://iasp.info/resources/Crisis_Centres/

Because you listened to the  podcast, you can help others find it by leaving us a review on iTunes. Or if you don’t use iTunes, leave a review on your favorite podcasting service.

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#26 Doing The Hard Work – Panic Disorder, Anxiety and Depression

panic disorder anxiety depression mental health podcast

Andrew is the CEO of mental health startup Heard who are creating a trusted space for therapists.  Becoming a CEO wasn’t always on the cards for Andrew.  Early in life, he was beset with panic disorder, anxiety and depression and as a teenager he did drugs and ran with the wrong crowd.  At his worst he had a stomach full of pills and a revolver in his mouth.

Listen To Episode 26

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 51:32 — 25.9MB)

Everyone likes a good rags to riches redemption story, the homeless person who becomes a radio presenter again, the kid from the projects who becomes an international musician.  Andrew started on the wrong path but that’s not the story here.  This is a story about putting in the work and grinding it out.  Some of the work is stuff we all do to build a life, like studying at college and climbing the corporate ladder.  The real story is the work Andrew has done and is doing on the inside to face and come to terms with his mental illness, and working on the scars of a traumatic past.

In this episode of Silent Superheroes, Andrew gives an inside look at his panic disorder, anxiety and depression.  He talks about the mental health resources PWC offered, and also some of the gaps in their offering.  Finally, he tells what he and his co-founders at Heard are doing to bring mental illness out of the shadows.

Links

About Support

A panic attack is a sudden episode of intense fear that triggers severe physical reactions when there is no real danger or apparent cause. Panic attacks can be very frightening. When panic attacks occur, you might think you’re losing control, having a heart attack or even dying.

Many people have just one or two panic attacks in their lifetimes, and the problem goes away, perhaps when a stressful situation ends. But if you’ve had recurrent, unexpected panic attacks and spent long periods in constant fear of another attack, you may have a condition called panic disorder.

Although panic attacks themselves aren’t life-threatening, they can be frightening and significantly affect your quality of life. But treatment can be very effective.

Getting Support

Remember, the people you hear on Silent Superheroes are sharing their opinions about mental health and mental illness. They are not giving advice. For that reason, please consult with your care provider before making a change to your treatment approach.

It’s important to take your mental health seriously. Consequently, if you need to speak to someone you can call 1-800-273-8255, or text crisistextline.org on 741741. Both provide 24×7 confidential counseling to people in the United States. Worldwide visit http://iasp.info/resources/Crisis_Centres/

Because you listened to the  podcast, you can help others find it by leaving us a review on iTunes. Or if you don’t use iTunes, leave a review on your favorite podcasting service.