Michelle Wagner: Mental Health Services Made Accessible

In this episode, Sarah Tenisi speaks with Michelle Wagner, the CEO of MindStrong, a telehealth company focused on providing mental health services using traditional methodologies combined with newer technologies like predictive analytics and Artificial Intelligence. Sarah and Michelle chat about the history of mental health and how it has evolved to people now speaking openly about it, and how technology has helped reach out to several patients seeking help with their mental illnesses, with the latest one being the telehealth services. Tune in to listen to Michelle’s history in the industry, and how she’s using Mindstrong to reach out to patients.   TimeStamps[01:27] Differences between mental health and mental illness[05:30] History of mental health and mental illness[10:34] Focussing on mind, body, and soul[11:40] Michelle Wagner’s story[17:40] Technological advancement in telehealth services[20:33] Shortage of therapists and psychiatrists and mental health professionals[21:29] Is technology one of the causes of mental health issues?[23:37] Mental health and social media[26:04] Solving the problem of mental health services shortage[27:35] EAP plans[30:45] The speeding technology[32:50] What good mental health looks like[38:00] Having a conversation on mental health[45:03] Helping people with their mental health[47:33] Setting work-life boundaries[51:06] Michelle’s challenge to everyoneNotable Quotes●      Everyone experiences sadness, depression, or anxiety momentarily. That doesn’t necessarily equate to clinically diagnosed illness. ●      Technology is doing good things when it comes to healthcare and that’s pretty exciting to see tech truly used for good just in terms of accessibility alone.●      Good mental health is raising your own self-awareness of what you are or what you need at that moment, understanding your own feelings and how they influence your actions, and how you communicate and interact with other people.●      You’re not good to everyone else if you’re not good to yourself.●      70% of human thought is negative. Those are our brains. That’s how they work. But you can train your brain to be more aware and think more about how you are showing up.Connect with MichelleLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelledwk/Mindstrong Website https://mindstrong.com/