Generational Perspectives on Mental Health with Christy Havens

This episode contains discussions of suicide, hospitalization, medical emergencies, and mental health care crises.

Host Bailey Patterson speaks with Christy Havens, an elementary librarian and NAMI affiliate chair, about her journey with mental illness, beginning in her teenage years and has spanned nearly 35 years. Christy shares her experiences caring for her parents, managing her own diagnoses of depression, anxiety, and PTSD, and the impact of her mother’s schizophrenia. She also offers a generational perspective on mental health, discussing how her own journey has shaped her ability to support her son, who also experiences mental health conditions and suicidal thoughts and attempts. Christy’s story highlights the importance of empathy, community support, and a multifaceted approach to mental wellness. 

View transcript here.

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The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the guest speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views, positions, or opinions of the University of Kentucky, the Human Development Institute, or any related entities.