Stigmas Disabled: Advocating for the Differently-Abled (Part 1) with Erika

In Part 1 of this 2-part conversation, we talk with Erika, a passionate UK-based mental health advocate, about the need for breaking the stigmas surrounding the mental health of those she prefers to see as "differently-abled." She is the mother of the wonderful Micaela, who has Down-Syndrome and is also non verbal. Along with her own charity Shades of Different, Erika fights tirelessly for her daughter, and all the amazing individuals like Micaela with their own unique abilities, to be treated with respect, love, empathy, and equity -- to truly live and thrive in a world free from stigmas. We thank Erika and her family for their openness and conviction for mental health advocacy. Be sure to visit nostigmas.org/unsilent to watch, listen to, and read all of our conversations this season. We are survivors, thrivers, advocates, and Allies. BE UNSILENT 💚Episode NotesThank you for being here. To go beyond the show, consider leaving us a positive review and sharing wherever you listen to podcasts! Follow us and reach out on social media @nostigmas. We'd love to connect with you. To learn more about NoStigmas and how we can team up to fight stigmas, visit nostigmas.org. Special Thanks To…Guest: Erika Petrie (shadesofdifferent.com)Helpful Links and ResourcesNoStigmas Website: nostigmas.org24/7 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline 📱 Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.orgCrisis Text Line 📱 Text ALLY to 741-741Veterans Crisis Line 📱 Text 838255SAMHSA Treatment Referral Hotline (Substance Abuse) 📞 1-800-662-HELP (4357)RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline 📞 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)National Domestic Violence Hotline 📞 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)The Trevor Project (LGBTQIA+) 📞 1-866-488-7386Blackline - "Hotline geared toward the Black, Black LGBTQ+, brown, Native, and Muslim communities." 📞 1-800-604-5841 Trans Lifeline 📞 <a...