Episode 162 - "Everybody Has a Little Froot-Loopedness" - Finding the Humor in Mental Health Struggles with Lowell Cerise

"Everybody has a little froot-loopedness". In our first few moments of recording with this week's guest, we burst out laughing. We've been having heavy and deep conversations during our mental health series this year. We finish this series with more in depth discussions with our guest, but he brings a much-needed note of levity to conclude this month's content.  Lowell Cerise is a farmer in Idaho, who has struggled with many mental health challenges and is here to tell us how it is, no holds barred, and to be able to laugh along the way. Lowell describes in regular terms how it can feel to deal with anxiety and depression, along with real daily tools he uses to manage those struggles. He doesn't hold back from sharing things he's tried, from meditation to alternative treatments (think magic mushrooms). This is an entertaining and very informative episode, with a guest who you'd feel so comfortable sitting down with, shooting the breeze, and talking about all things life. Tune in to our final mental health episode for 2024, and take hope and humor from it.    *** If you or someone you know needs help with mental health challenges or substance abuse, please reach out. Here are some resources to consider: Lifeline Chat and Text is a service of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline connecting individuals with crisis counselors for emotional support and other services via web chat or texting 988. The American Psychological Association has many great resources for whatever distress you may be experiencing. Visit apa.org to find resources including: Crisis Text Line Text HOME to 741741 Narcotics Anonymous Alcoholics Anonymous Gamblers Anonymous Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration National Helpline (800) 662-4357 and many other excellent resources for all kinds of support and difficult experiences. Some agriculture-focused resources are: https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/topics/mental-health  https://www.nmpf.org/resources/mental-health-and-wellness/ https://www.dairyherd.com/news/business/free-help-available-those-farmers-struggling-mental-health https://www.centerfordairyexcellence.org/programs-resources/stress-wellness-resources/ <a href= "https://www.fb.org/initiative/farm-state-of-mind" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl=...