Mental Health Today Ken Stearns

In the latest episode of "Mental Health Today," Peggy Van de Plassche, a former finance professional turned advocate for alternative medicine and psychedelics, joins host Ken Stearns for a captivating conversation about her journey to wellness. Sharing her personal struggles with stress, anxiety, and depression, Peggy reveals how microdosing psilocybin and integrating holistic practices transformed her life. With her creation, The Microdose Diet, Peggy emphasizes the importance of combining microdosing with techniques like tapping meditation and journaling for enhanced well-being. Through candid discussion, Peggy challenges societal stigmas surrounding mental health and advocates for greater access to psychedelic therapies. Her insights into the interconnectedness of mental and physical health inspire listeners to embrace alternative modalities for holistic wellness, fostering a sense of hope and empowerment for those seeking transformative healing experiences.

In this episode of "Mental Health Today with Frank C. Pomata," host Ken Stearns engages in a profound conversation with mental health advocate Frank C. Pomata, exploring his journey of resilience and vulnerability in living with mental illness. Through candid reflections and personal anecdotes, Frank highlights the importance of creating safe spaces for individuals to share their experiences and seek support. With a blend of empathy, authenticity, and practical insights, Frank inspires listeners to challenge societal stigmas, embrace vulnerability, and foster environments of empathy and acceptance within their communities.

In this insightful podcast episode titled "Nurturing Organizational Wellbeing: Insights from Tara Davis of the American Psychological Association," Tara Davis, Senior Director of Internal Communications & Staff Wellbeing at the American Psychological Association (APA), discusses her journey and role in promoting employee mental health and organizational impact. Davis shares her experience of using a science-led, empathy-based approach to integrate internal communications with wellbeing initiatives, aiming to enhance employee psychological and physical health while fostering organizational commitment. Drawing from over a decade of expertise in industrial organizational psychology, wellness, HR, and internal communications, Davis emphasizes the importance of prioritizing mental health in the workplace and creating cultures where both employees and organizations thrive. Through data-driven strategies, including employee experience surveys and thoughtful engagement initiatives, Davis highlights the significance of aligning organizational policies with employee needs and preferences, ultimately contributing to a more resilient and flourishing workforce.

In this episode of "Mental Health Today," Dr. Jason O'Connor from Big Health joins Ken Stearns to discuss the company's mission of revolutionizing mental health care through digital therapeutics. Dr. O'Connor emphasizes the crucial role of sleep in mental well-being and introduces Big Health's products, such as Sleepio, Daylight, and Spark, which target specific mental health challenges. The conversation delves into the importance of self-responsibility in mental health care, exploring simple practices like gratitude journaling and acts of kindness. Dr. O'Connor also addresses the unique challenges faced by senior executives and entrepreneurs in managing their mental health, advocating for scalable solutions that support individuals in improving their well-being. Overall, the episode provides valuable insights into the potential of digital tools to complement traditional mental health care and promote positive outcomes for individuals worldwide.

In this special episode of "Mental Health Today" recorded live at the Employee Mental Health Summit 2023 in San Francisco, host Ken Stearns interviews Cal Beyer, a renowned advocate for workplace mental health. Cal, with over 35 years of experience in safety and risk management, shares insights on addressing mental health stigma, the importance of employer support, and his own journey transitioning to independent consulting. Their conversation underscores the critical need for accessible resources and supportive work environments, urging employers to prioritize mental health as a cornerstone of their risk management strategy.

In the latest episode of "Mental Health Today," host Ken Stearns interviews Patrice Massicotte and Hassan Ramadan, founders of the podcast Mutual MENtal, dedicated to men's mental health. Both Patrice and Hassan share their personal struggles and journeys with mental health, highlighting the importance of authenticity and human connection in fostering open conversations. Despite only having ten episodes released, their podcast has already garnered significant attention for its genuine and direct approach. Ken praises their commitment to addressing men's mental health issues and encourages them to continue their impactful work, predicting a promising future for Mutual MENtal.