Unlearn The Lies About Mental Health

Mental health is a multidimensional aspect of our well-being, encompassing emotional, psychological, and social facets. Hence, it prompts us to view individuals not through the narrow lens of diagnoses but as complex beings with diverse emotional, psychological, and social needs. 

However, many people fail to separate the person who struggles with their mental health from the labels imposed by diagnoses. As our guest speaker aptly points out, changing the narrative from "that person is a drug addict" to "that person struggles with addiction" is a pivotal shift in language that reflects a more compassionate and accurate understanding. By acknowledging the struggle rather than defining the person by it, we break down the misconceptions surrounding mental health. Together, let's contribute to breaking down barriers, nurturing connections, and ultimately, creating a world where mental health is viewed with empathy, openness, and a commitment to holistic well-being.

In this episode, we want to help listeners gain a deeper understanding of the critical components involved in fostering mental health and well-being, both at an individual and community level. We aim to unravel the intricacies of mental health services, the impact of personal stories, and the significance of breaking down stigmas surrounding mental health conditions. Through the exploration of real-life examples and practical advice, we aspire to empower our audience with the tools needed to identify signs of struggle in youth, create a supportive environment, and contribute to the unlearning of prevalent misconceptions about mental health. Join us on this enlightening journey as we navigate the complexities of mental health, challenge stereotypes, and provide valuable insights that can foster a more compassionate and understanding society.

Today, we're joined by Nathalie Williams, a Florida Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) with over a decade of experience in mental health and substance abuse services. She has worked with individuals of all age groups, offering support for a wide range of diagnoses across various treatment settings, including in-home, outpatient, inpatient crisis stabilization, and residential care. Nathalie's expertise extends to co-occurring disorders, trauma survivors, high utilizers of behavioral health services, PTSD, offenders, homeless individuals, and those with developmental disabilities. She provides individual and family counseling, group counseling, crisis prevention, assessments, and case management.

In addition to her clinical work, Nathalie has extensive management experience, overseeing programs such as outpatient services, case management, residential group homes, psychiatric support services, and an intensive in-home program for at-risk youth. As the Director of Outpatient Services and Case Management at Lakeview Center of Walton County, Nathalie is dedicated to improving the well-being of her clients. Her career is characterized by a commitment to using evidence-based therapies, including Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), to provide effective and transformative techniques. Throughout her journey, Nathalie's work embodies the resilience and strength of the human spirit, empowering individuals to overcome even the most challenging circumstances.

“Learning how to make our language more accepting and warmer and making a person feel like the individual that they are, it is a key component to breaking the stigma around mental health.” – Nathalie Williams

Show Highlights:

(00:00:00) Episode disclaimer, highlight, and introduction

(00:02:11) Welcoming today's guest, Nathalie Williams.

(00:04:41) How did you go from Chicago to Pensacola?

(00:06:25) How did Nathalie’s purpose change?

(00:09:11) Importance of self-awareness

(00:11:13) Nathalie’s role in Lakeview Center

(00:14:17) The Baker Act

(00:17:00) The difference of inpatient and outpatient care

(00:20:34) Transitioning between the different levels of care.

(00:24:40) Prioritize safety

(00:26:12) The Community Action Program

(00:28:37) Stigma and shame around seeking mental health services

(00:31:08) This episode is powered by Speaks to Inspire, the mental health solution for young adults suffering in silence. Speaks 2 Inspire works with colleges and universities to create and implement safe, comprehensive programs for campuses nationwide.

(00:31:58) Starting a girls group home 

(00:34:29) Treat people as human beings

(00:36:33) How can we eradicate mental health stigma?

(00:33:29) Separates the person from the diagnosis

(00:41:15) What is mental health to Nathalie Williams?

(00:42:50) How can parents and teachers better support their youth

(00:45:00) Where to connect with Kate?

(00:47:03) Free Guide: https://speaks2inspire.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Speaks-2-Inspire-guide_14-ways-to-support-your-students-mental-health.pdf

(00:47:23) If you need that support for your mental health, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by calling 9-8-8 now. For local and national resources, go to http://www.speaks2inspire.com/resources. Join the Unlearn the Lies About Mental Health Facebook group: https://bit.ly/UTLcommunity. 

Key Takeaways:

“Everyone has an individual experience, a unique story. They need unique support. And in order for us to really meet those needs, collaboration must be a part of the picture.” – Abraham Sculley

“If someone you know, or love is talking about things in a way that's a safety concern immediately, get help. Take it seriously.” – Nathalie Williams

“I think one of the challenges that we hear or see a lot is not necessarily that there's a lack of resources, but there is no awareness of what resources are accessible. And so, we're not taking advantage of these resources because we don't even know they exist.” – Abraham Sculley

“We are not our addiction. We are a person who struggles with those things just like you might struggle with diabetes.” – Nathalie Williams

“It's being observant, it's making people feel heard and being aware of how our communication and language impacts one another.” – Nathalie Williams

“Mental health is our emotional, psychological and social well-being. It's how we think, it's how we feel, it's how we act, it's how we relate to other people and that is a full picture, the full person which we go back to from the beginning.” – Nathalie Williams

“Be present, be mindful on how a small act of kindness goes a long way for here.” – Nathalie Williams

Connect with Nathalie via the following:

· Website: https://www.lifeviewgroup.org/

· Email: nathalie.williams@lakeview-center.org

. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathalie-williams-7232a816/

. CTA: https://www.lifeviewgroup.org/

Unlearn the Lies About Mental Health is Hosted by Abraham Sculley.

· Contact Speaks 2 Inspire to learn about S2I programs: https://speaks2inspire.com/services/.

· Mental health resources for students: https://speaks2inspire.com/resources/.

· Connect with Abraham on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abrahamsculley/.

· Order a copy of Unlearn the Lies at https://amzn.to/32B2jRh.

· Join the Unlearn the Lies About Mental Health Facebook group: https://bit.ly/UTLcommunity.

• 14 Ways to Support Your Students' Mental Health [free guide] - https://bit.ly/mentalhealthguide4

This episode is powered by Speaks 2 Inspire, the mental health solution for young adults suffering in silence. Speaks 2 Inspire works with colleges and universities to create and implement safe, comprehensive programs for campuses across the nation. If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, don't hesitate to get in touch with the Crisis Text Line by texting "Home" to 741741 or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by calling 1-800-273-8255.