You're Not Your Diagnosis

What is mental health, really?In honor of Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, we're exploring a question that seems simple, and is anything but. Too often, mental health gets reduced to diagnoses, therapy, or moments of crisis. In this episode, we unpack why mental health is so much bigger than that.From relationships and belonging to boundaries, joy, community, and indigenous perspectives on balance, we explore what it means to care for ourselves and one another. Join us as we bridge clinical knowledge and lived experience to remind ourselves that healing doesn't just happen in therapy offices. It also happens around kitchen tables, on front porches, and in the communities that help us remember we don't have to do this alone.Also, a special thanks and shout-out to our interns, Damien Cortez, Gilbert Feliciano, and Rome Gibson! Woo!YOU DON’T HAVE TO CARRY IT ALONEIf today's conversation brought something up for you, know that you don't have to carry it by yourself.If it feels safe to do so, consider reaching out to someone you trust; a friend, family member, neighbor, faith leader, therapist, or another supportive person in your community. Sometimes simply letting someone know you're struggling can be an important first step.If you don't know who to reach out to, or you need support right now, the resources below are available.IF YOU NEED IMMEDIATE SUPPORTEmergencyCall 911 if you or someone else is in immediate danger.If the emergency involves a mental health crisis, you can ask the dispatcher if a Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) officer or other specially trained crisis responder is available. Availability varies by community, but CIT-trained officers have additional training in responding to behavioral health crises.Or go to your nearest Emergency Department.988 Suicide & Crisis LifelineCall or text 988 (available 24/7)Español: Press 2 when calling or text AYUDA to 988.You do not need insurance, identification, or immigration documents to contact 988. Most people who reach out are connected with a trained crisis counselor, and the vast majority of conversations are resolved without involving emergency services.Crisis Text LineText HOME to 741741Español: Text AYUDA to 741741BlackLineCall 800-604-5841Peer support centered on Black, Black LGBTQ+, and Black femme communities while welcoming BIPOC callers.The Trevor Project (for LGBTQ+ young people)Call 866-488-7386Text START to 678-678Trans LifelineCall 877-565-8860Peer support run by trans people, for trans and questioning people.LGBT National HotlineCall 888-843-4564WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA RESOURCESView From Here WNCLooking for other mental health resources? View From Here WNC connects people across Western North Carolina with local mental health services, crisis resources, and wellness organizations by county.https://www.wnchn.org/view-from-here-wnc-mental-health/Mobile Crisis Management888-573-1006A mobile crisis team can come to you if you're experiencing a behavioral health crisis and need in-person support.Behavioral Health Crisis Center (C3)356 Biltmore Ave.Asheville, NC 28801Walk-in behavioral health crisis services for adults experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis.