The Just A Mom Podcast Susie Gurley

When I first started The Just A Mom podcast, I was only focused on interviewing parents of children who have struggled with mental health issues.  That changed when I met with Trevor, and he shared the story of the last few years with me. Trevor is an adult who suffers from depression and suicidal ideation.  Trevor was a middle school teacher and coach for my two oldest kids and went on to be a middle school principal.  I can tell you from personal experience that Trevor was the teacher all the kids wanted for social studies—he was young, fun, cool, and energetic.  But over the years the darkness started creeping in. Trevor helps us understand that even though a person can appear to have it all together, there is often a very different scenario going on inside. 
Trevor was at the top of his profession, being named National Digital Principal of the Year in 2021, when, for the sake of his mental health, he made a significant career move to the world of E-Sports. Since the time of our interview, he has moved into a new position with SchoolAI (https://schoolai.com/). 

Kari was the first person (outside of my family) that I interviewed for The Just A Mom podcast.  I’ve known Kari for many years. She is the wife of my oldest son’s high school football coach. My son was very close to him, and his tragic and early death in 2017 rocked our community. 
Kari is one of the many parents who have called me over the past few years because her daughter was suicidal. was also an early encourager of the Just A Mom podcast.  Grief is a big part of her story as she lost her dad at a young age. Kari has chosen to use her pain and experience as a young widow to help others as a professional grief coach (https://karidriskell.com/). In our conversation Kari shares her daughter’s mental health journey and some of the ways losing her dad at such a young age impacted that.

Kari shared with me that her daughter is doing well.  She’s on track to graduate early, is working as a nanny and plans on getting a regular job in the fall. She’s driving, writing, reading, and gaming. AND Kari’s daughter still has depressive spells. I think this is just another reminder that for so many this is a life-long journey.

This week we are re-airing the episode featuring Kristen. Kristen’s story is one of fear, patience, endurance, love, and hope.  It’s also another example of how the mental health battle is a journey—more of a marathon than a sprint.  Kristen and her husband have gone to great lengths to help their son with his mental illness.  While Kristen’s son’s battle started when he was still in high school, Kristen gives insight into parenting an adult child with a mental illness. You will no doubt be both impacted and encouraged by their story and journey.

The Just A Mom podcast will be re-airing some of the earliest episodes of the podcast the next few weeks.  The first re-air is the very first episode of The Just A Mom podcast with my son, Will.  This show is the whole reason I became a mental health advocate and, ultimately, started the Just A Mom Podcast.  Will is my youngest son, and he struggles with depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation.  When Will was in the worst of his battle, I felt alone and hopeless.  There were basically no resources that I could find other than one book to help support me as a parent of a child with mental illness.  And then Will started the You Matter Festival, which reached over 10,000 people in its five-year lifespan.  Will became a local teen spokesperson and advocate for mental health.  Will is a musician, actor, director, writer, singer, and overall creative with many talents (www.WIlliamGurley.net).  I am so thankful that he is my son and he asked for help when he was struggling. 

The final episode of Season 5 is the conclusion of Susie’s conversation with Kyle. Kyle shares candidly the many challenges he faced as the parent of a child struggling with depression and suicide attempts. Don’t miss this story of hope and perseverance that will undoubtedly encourage all.

In this episode of the Just A Mom podcast, Susie converses with Kyle about his journey as a parent raising a child grappling with mental health issues. Kyle delves into the hurdles he encountered in identifying early indicators and the opportunities for intervention. He sheds light on the struggles of securing suitable treatment and the toll it took on his family. The dialogue underscores the pressing need for enhanced accessibility and resources within the mental health care framework. Throughout the discussion, Kyle reflects on his experience navigating parenthood amidst his child's mental health challenges, highlighting the adversities faced, such as bullying and mental health societal stigma, stressing the importance of empathy, and fostering candid discussions on mental well-being. Kyle also underscores the significance of attentive listening and the necessity for parents to prioritize their therapy. Offering guidance for parents of young children, he emphasizes the value of trusting instincts and commemorating minor victories while maintaining optimism and acknowledging the transient nature of tough times.

Key Takeaways

Early detection of mental health issues in children is pivotal for timely intervention.Even parents, including those in healthcare, can overlook signs and must remain vigilant.Challenges persist in mental health care accessibility and insurance coverage.Mental illness profoundly affects family dynamics and warrants support and understanding.Parenting a child with mental health issues can reshape healthcare professionals' approach to medicine.The effects of bullying on mental health and well-being.Addressing bullying and eradicating the stigma surrounding mental health remain pertinent issues.Promoting the importance of empathy is crucial despite potential developmental constraints in youth.Open dialogue about mental health and empathy cultivation are vital for children's well-being.Providing support through attentive listening, devoid of a solution-driven agenda, is immensely impactful.Prioritizing personal therapy is essential for parents navigating a child's mental health challenges.Parents of young children should focus on individualized understanding and foster open communication.Trusting instincts and seeking early assistance are pivotal when suspecting a child's mental health struggles.Embracing a day-by-day approach and celebrating small victories aids in navigating parenthood amidst mental health challenges.Maintaining hope and acknowledging the transient nature of adversity is crucial for resilience.
Topics: bullying and mental health, the effects of bullying on mental health and well-being, the importance of empathy