Mental Health: Hope and Recovery

The subject of happiness is a new area of research and study in the mental health field. In a complete reversal of psychiatric tradition, the emphasis and exploration are not about what makes you weak and sick, but rather, what makes you healthy and happy. In this episode, Valerie and Helen confront this gargantuan subject: happiness and mental health. And they approach it from a new perspective. They examine how happiness fosters healing within the mental and physical well-being of an individual. Also explored is how happiness affects the brain, biochemistry, nervous system, and physiological health. Given the fact that happiness can be the most elusive emotion, the episode offers tips and advice from the experts. Don’t miss the chance to learn more about happiness, including yours. Find Valerie and Helen at https://www.mentalhealthhopeandrecovery.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Throughout a decade of making presentations, Helen and Valerie are often asked, “What can I do when my family member with mental health issues refuses treatment?” A tough situation and difficult to answer until they discovered “When a Family Member Refuses Mental Health Treatment.” They explore this groundbreaking book with co-author Gary Mitchell, a seasoned clinician, researcher and innovator in the mental health field. One of the basic premises is to shift focus from the member who is treat-resistant to the other family members who are seeking help with their own needs. To deal with their issues that can be improved upon, rather than accommodating and enabling their recalcitrant loved one. The end result can create a healthy, productive, healing environment for the entire family. Find Valerie and Helen at https://www.mentalhealthhopeandrecovery.co When a Loved One Won't Seek Mental Health Treatment by C. Alec Pollard, PhD; Melanie VanDyke, PhD; Gary Mitchell, LCSW; Heidi J. Pollard, RN, MSM; and Gloria Steketee, PhD Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Family members’ responses to and support of their loved one who lives with a mental health condition often includes a steep learning curve, uncertainty, misunderstanding, and yes, much love. Each family also has its own journey. In this episode, we hear from Rebecca as she shares her story of how her family has navigated her mental health struggles and now her life in recovery. Rebecca offers us her personal recovery toolbox, examples of family education, and much more as her courage and resilience shines throughout the interview. Please join us as we continue our series, The Family Dynamics of a Psychiatric Crisis—Part Four: The Peer Perspective. Find Valerie and Helen at https://mentalhealthhopeandrecovery.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the holidays all around, this episode is an annual tradition for Helen and Valerie. For some of us, this time of year is emotionally charged due to the pressures and expectations of the holidays. Individuals can become stressed out, depressed, anxious, exhausted. For others, the joys of the season also can create the need for emotional downtime. Valerie and Helen offer a perfect gift for anyone overwhelmed by the intensity generated during this time: a full episode of mindfulness exercises from the past year. Regardless of holiday feelings, they hope their audiences will use the healing gift of mindfulness, and will accept their best wishes for all listeners and their loved ones to have a safe, healthy new year. Find Valerie and Helen at https://mentalhealthhopeandrecovery.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When a family member faces a mental health challenge, family relationships can become formidable and problematic, while being loving and supportive, as well. The complicated nature of these relationships has launched Helen and Valerie on a five-episode series – The Family Dynamics of a Psychiatric Crisis. Their goal is to define and demystify the impact of mental illness on the family; and to enlighten and strengthen the impact of the family on mental illness. In Part One: Personal Perspectives from a Sibling and a Spouse, Valerie has invited her own husband and sister for intimate conversations with her about their journeys together for the years she was drastically sick before her recovery. This riveting episode reveals the dramatic impact on a marriage, children, siblings, friends, and caregivers. A surefire classic, not to be missed. Find Valerie and Helen at https://mentalhealthhopeandrecovery.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, OCD, is an illness many people trivialize because they don’t understand it. OCD proved to be a condition so vast and complex that Valerie and Helen divided it into two episodes. In this first episode, they explore the components of OCD: diagnosis, causes, symptoms, treatment, and hope for recovery. To fully enlighten listeners, there is the firsthand account from Mel, a woman who struggled with OCD from early childhood until her hard won recovery years later. Her experiences, insights and courage are not to be missed. OCD Part Two will focus on the professional expert’s perspective through an in-depth interview with OCD specialist, Dr. Ginny Fullerton. Find Valerie and Helen at mentalhealthhopeandrecovery.com Show Notes/Resources: The International OCD Foundation—iocdf.org Brain Lock by Jeffrey Schwartz, MD Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Healing Power of Animals and Pets is a revelation and celebration for Helen, Valerie and listeners everywhere. The positive impact of animals on people with mental health challenges is as uplifting as it is irrefutable. Science shows that the closeness and touch of a pet can stimulate mood-enhancing hormones in the brain; help with emotional regulation; ward off depression and sadness; promote healthy connections. The use of animals began sixty years ago, and now is recognized as an effective method in many cases. Two expert animal therapists, one in Equine Therapy with horses, and one in Canine Therapy with dogs, are fascinating guests whose experiences and successes bring tears to the eye and hope to the heart. Find Valerie and Helen at mentalhealthhopeandrecovery.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Valerie and Helen pursue the holy grail of recovery—thriving in the aftermath of mental illness. For centuries, the ability to thrive would seem almost inconceivable, as traditional treatments focused on the cessation of symptoms and basic survival. But recent studies prove that thriving is possible, even for those who’ve suffered from severe, long-term illness or multiple diagnoses. Helen and Valerie reveal how they progressed into thriving after long years of struggle. Three guests also share their insights and methods for thriving today. As proven in research, thriving after mental illness is becoming recognized as an achievable outcome. Helen and Valerie’s wish for their listeners is the chance for a rich, fulfilling, meaningful life worth living. Find Helen and Valerie at www.mentalhealthhopeandrecovery.com NAMI: “Thriving with Bipolar” by Maureen Goldman Mental Health Nursing Magazine. 2012, Issue 11. From Survive to Thrive: Living Your Best Life with Mental Illness by Dr. Margaret S. Chisolm, 2021 A Guide to Thriving with Mental Illness by Mequell W. Buck, 2016 Canadian Community Health Research Survey: Thriving with a Mental Illness, 2012 University of Southern Florida, Mood and Emotion Lab Research Study: Thriving with a Mental Illness; Dr. Andrew Devendorf, 2022 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices