Episode 69: Ending the Stigma: A Roadmap to Improved Mental Health Support

Send us Fan MailAre you struggling to find affordable mental health resources? You won't believe the wealth of options available, from sliding scale therapy to online mental health services for as low as $50. Lisa Sugarman, a suicide survivor and mental health advocate, has curated a comprehensive list of resources on her website. What's more, she's a crisis counselor for the Trevor Project, providing support to LGBTQ youth in crisis. You won't want to miss out on the eye-opening conversation I had with her about mental health awareness and support.In this episode, we discussEffective strategies for supporting someone who is suicidal.Ways to help end the stigma surrounding mental health.The vital role and impact of crisis counselors.Affordable and accessible mental health resources.Insights into the power of sharing stories of loss and grief.My special guest is Lisa SugarmanLisa Sugarman, a Boston-based author, columnist, and mental health advocate, is a beacon of hope in the movement to end the stigma surrounding mental health. With a deeply personal journey that saw her grappling with the discovery of her father's suicide 35 years after his passing, Lisa has dedicated herself to turning her pain into purpose. As a crisis counselor with the Trevor Project and a storyteller with the National Alliance on Mental Illness, she actively works to normalize conversations about mental health, suicide, loss, and grief. Through her advocacy and storytelling, Lisa aims to inspire change and foster understanding, offering invaluable insights into the complex terrain of mental health challenges and the power of support and empathy. Her unwavering commitment to reshaping the narrative around mental health makes her a compelling and influential voice in the quest to end the stigma.The global mantra these days should be, it's really okay to not be okay, and it's really okay to share that, because that's how we get the help we need. - Lisa SugarmanKey moments in this episode are:00:01:35 - Lisa's Story 00:05:14 - Recognizing Struggles 00:08:11 - Having Difficult Conversations 00:12:51 - Debunking Myths 00:14:19 - Collective Trauma and Finding Help 00:16:17 - Supporting Someone Suicidal 00:19:56 - Holding Space and Kindness 00:22:05 - The Power of Storytelling 00:28:22 - Turning Pain into Purpose 00:30:09 - The Trevor Project 00:32:59 - Mental Health Services and Resources 00:35:12 - Purpose of Creating Resources 00:41:02 - The Power of Vulnerability 00:43:05 - In our next episode, Supporting Military Personnel with Mental Illness Resources:Lisa Sugarman – Website and ResourcesSupport the show