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42 episodes
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Mental Health: Hope and Recovery Mind Body Spirit.fm
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- Health & Fitness
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5.0 • 18 Ratings
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Helen Sneed and Valerie Milburn have both fought and overcome severe, chronic mental illnesses, and offer an insider’s approach to mental health. They share inspirational true stories and a host of recovery skills. Episodes examine conditions such as depression, anxiety, substance use and eating disorders, self-harm, suicide, and other major illnesses. You’ll learn about treatment options, coping skills, goal setting, relationships, and mindfulness. Helen and Valerie are your peers. They are not a substitute for qualified counseling or other mental health resources. They are not professionals, but they are experts through their own lived experience with multiple mental health conditions. Please join them on their journey.
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It’s More than a Job: The Role of Work in Mental Health Recovery
In this important episode, Valerie and Helen explore the subject of work and its critical role in recovery. For people with a mental health condition, work is a weighty challenge that can evoke anxiety and fear, hopes and dreams. Given their extensive backgrounds in the workplace, both successes and the inability to have a job due to acute mental illnesses, Helen and Valerie understand the great benefits of work as well as the downsides. Research shows that for American workers, employment is far more than a paycheck. It provides structure, a social network, meaning, and a positive identity. Few things can be as meaningful to recovery as a job. Don’t miss this full exploration of work, and finding, getting, and keeping employment.
Find Valerie and Helen at mentalhealthhopeandrecovery.com
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Thriving and Recovery: It is Possible to Move from Surviving to Thriving with a Mental Illness!
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
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Loneliness Part Two: Pathways to Connection
Loneliness has been declared the new American epidemic by the U.S. Surgeon General. Its destructive impact on an individual life and on society as a whole was explored in the previous episode. Nowhere is loneliness more debilitating and dangerous than for those with mental health challenges.
In this second part, Valerie and Helen provide multiple methods for overcoming loneliness through relationships, skills and strategies, goal setting, social activities, and community. Their research shows the impact loneliness has on the brain, and how the brain is hardwired to need and seek human connection for basic survival. In light of this human necessity, science now shows that the brain distorted by loneliness can be regenerated through new behaviors, beliefs, and practices. Do not miss this opportunity to learn about new pathways of recovery from the loneliness epidemic.
Find Helen and Valerie online at www.mentalhealthhopeandrecovery.com
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Loneliness: The New American Epidemic
In May 2023, the US Surgeon General declared loneliness a national epidemic. Greater than one in two adult Americans report being lonely. Given the damaging and sometimes lethal impact that loneliness can have on mental health, Valerie and Helen take listeners into the deep-rooted causes and destructive consequences of loneliness within the individual and society. Rampant loneliness is both a cultural threat and a powerful cause and effect of mental illnesses. Helen and Valerie reveal the shocking truth about loneliness as a sweeping force in the struggle for survival and a life worth living in America today.
Find Helen and Valerie at https://mentalhealthhopeandrecovery.com/
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Women and Mental Health
Women and Mental Health is an episode with explosive revelations about women and their mental health journeys. The cruel biases of the past, enlightened advances in to the present, promising breakthroughs for future treatment and recovery. Valerie and Helen delve deep into the complex, unique issues of women with mental health challenges, and the long journey of progress over prejudice. What is it like for a woman today as a patient, parent, caregiver, employee? Explore the combinations of therapy, medication, and treatment methods that bring opportunities to women and their loved ones. Do not miss this chance to learn about women, mental health, and new avenues for recovery.
Find Valerie and Helen online at mentalhealthhopeandrecovery.com
Show Notes Topics discussed in this episode include:
· The history of women and mental illness
· Gender differences in mental illness in regard to risk, prevalence, symptoms and treatment
· Treatment methods for women—which are most effective, why, and what are the recent scientific treatment breakthroughs
· Helen and Valerie share how being female has impacted their mental health disorders
Resources mentioned in this episode:
· Wellness Recovery Action Plan -- https://namirockland.org/resources/wellness-recovery-action-plan/
· 2 Lives Podcast -- 2lives.org
· Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Report:
· SAMHSA Recovery Definition: Recovery is characterized by continual growth and improvement in one’s health and wellness while managing setbacks, which are a natural part of life.
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Valerie's Mindfulness Favorites of 2023
Mindfulness is an effective tool for achieving serenity in any moment. At this hectic time of the year, honing our mindfulness skills is especially helpful. In this third annual Mindfulness Favorites episode, Valerie shares her favorite exercises of 2023. Pulled from one of the exercises that ends each episode of Mental Health: Hope and Recovery, the first exercise this year is The Power of 60 Mindful Seconds. Please tune in; your mindfulness minute — and more — awaits!
Find Helen and Valerie online here www.mentalhealthhopeandrecovery.com
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Customer Reviews
Bipolar Update!
I have just listened to the 22nd and 23rd episodes of this fine podcast. This last episode was the second of two devoted to Bipolar disorder. It clearly showed the strengths of this podcasting team- clear goals are set and delivered, the shared narration is effective, the information offered is practical, based on research and the guidance suggested comes from the hosts' personal experience. It will prove directly relevant to anyone struggling with long term mental illness or supporting someone who is, especially Bipolar Disorder.
Helen and Valerie hit it out of the park with these two episodes on Bipolar. They should be supported and the podcasts should be given wide promotion in my view. There is a wealth of valuable and reliable information that so many people can use right now. Thank you.
Lou Wetherbee
214-697- 9089
Mental Health: Hope and Recovery
The ability to splay one’s wounds and mental health history open for the good of others is a rare and selfless gift. Helen Sneed and Valerie Milburn do just that, for both the health and wellness of those with mental health struggles, as well as those supporting them. I highly recommend we open this gift they have so rawly trusted us to explore with them.
Please, also, share this gift with others,
Vincent Dodd
Author of: Suffer Less in Life & Work
Founder: humanbonding.org
Mental health hope and recovery
Hearing their stories and what worked towards recovery , as well as what they each do daily to maintain their recovery is great information. I also liked the mindfulness activity at the end of each podcast including adapting activity for walking or driving.