144. Navigating Neurodivergence and Mental Health in Higher Education with Dr. Kay Mastrocola

On this episode of the Healthcare Education Transformatinon Podcast, join Dr. F Scott Feil and Dr. Kay Mastrocola in this enlightening podcast episode as they explore the challenges and experiences associated with neurodivergence and mental health in higher education. They both share their own personal stories, insights, and advice on the impact of neurodivergent traits, such as ADHD, and discuss the intersection of mental health and their own academic journeys. Dr. Feil and Dr. Mastrocola's engaging conversation fosters awareness, understanding, and empathy for neurodivergent individuals while promoting mental health in higher education. Tune in to this thought-provoking podcast episode as Dr. F Scott Feil and Dr. Kay Mastrocola navigate the complexities of neurodivergence, share valuable insights, and provide actionable advice for students, healthcare professionals, and anyone facing neurodivergence and mental health challenges in higher education.Dr Kristina (Kay) Mastrocola is a pelvic floor physical therapist who received her DPT from Saint Louis University in 2022. She also holds a dual degree in health care ethics. She was inspired to peruse the field of physical therapy while accompanying her dad, who has spina bifida, to his appointments. While in PT school she was diagnosed with ADHD, anxiety and depression. As a way to navigate her own experiences, she created the Instagram page @DPTS_with_anxiety. Her account uses comedy as a medium to break down stigma and inspire more neurodivergent clinicians in the field of physical therapy.You may reach out to Dr. Kay Mastrocola on her instagram:https://www.instagram.com/dpts_with_anxiety/Special thanks to both our sponsors, The NPTE Final Frontier, and Varela Financial! If you are taking the NPTE or are teaching those about to take the NPTE, visit the NPTE FInal Frontier at www.NPTEFF.com and use code "HET" for 10% off all purchases at the website...and BREAKING NEWS!!!! They now have an OCS review option as well... You're welcome! You can also reach out to them on Instagram @npteff If you're a PT and you have student loan debt, you gotta talk to these guys. What makes them unique is that they view financial planning as like running hurdles on a track. And for PTs, the first hurdle many of us run into is student loan debt. Varela Financial will help you get over that hurdle. They not only take the time to explain to you which plans you individually qualify for and how those plans work, but they ALSO take the time to show you what YOUR individual case looks like mapped out within each option. So if you're looking for help on your student loan debt, or any area of your personal finances, we highly recommend working with them. You can check out Varela Financial out at varelafinancial.com. Feel free to reach out to us at:  http://healthcareeducationtransformationpodcast.com/ https://www.facebook.com/HETPodcast https://twitter.com/HETpodcast Instagram: @hetpodcast @dawnbrown_pt @pteducator @dawnmagnusson31 @farleyschweighart @mail.in.stew.art @ujima_institute For more information on how we can optimize and standardize healthcare education and delivery, subscribe to the Healthcare Education Transformation Podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts.