27 episodes
Reduce the Stigma by Straight Up Care Whitney Menarcheck
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- Health & Fitness
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5.0 • 1 Rating
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Reduce The Stigma is an initiative by Straight Up Care, with a mission of reducing the stigma that surrounds substance use and mental health. Too often, stigma creates barriers and restricts access to services. Our hope is that by spreading the stories of individuals with lived/living experience with substance use and/or mental health we can break down barriers and build bridges. Reduce The Stigma has two series: Meet the Peer and Recovery Conversations, both hosted by Whitney Menarcheck.
Meet the Peer is a special series where we shine the spotlight on peer specialists. Peer specialists are individuals with mental health and/or substance use lived experience who have received special training to support others along their recovery journey. Straight Up Care uses the term peer specialists to cover the various titles and certifications that can be held by an individual with lived experience helping others, such as Certified Recovery Specialist (CRS), Certified Peer Specialist (CPS), Certified Family Recovery Specialist (CFRS), Certified Peer Counselor (CPC), Peer Support Specialist (PSS), Recovery Coach (RC), and more! All peers interviewed on Meet the Peer are providing peer support services through the Straight Up Care Platform. To find a peer support specialist, visit https://straightupcare.com/members/.
Recovery Conversations is a series of discussions with people and organizations who are serving individuals with lived and living substance use and/or mental health experience. Through Recovery Conversations, we hope to spread awareness of the numerous resources, initatives, and programs available to support individuals with substance use and/or mental health needs.
About the host, Whitney Menarcheck: Whitney is the Chief Innovation Officer at Straight Up Care. Whitney is a trained professional counselor who recently completed training as a peer specialist. With over 12 years of experience serving individuals with substance use and/or mental health needs, Whitney is passionate about reducing stigma and elevating the voices of those with lived experience. Whitney's personal lived experience is with depression, grief, and trauma.
Straight Up Care is a comprehensive platform ecosystem that provides all the administrative, compliance, and marketing tools for peer specialists to work for themsevles. Our hope is that by eliminating the barriers peer specialists encounter we can accelerate the connection between peers and the individuals who seek their services. Learn more about Straight Up Care: https://straightupcare.com
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Embracing Joy in Recovery: It's Possible and Okay to Have Fun, with Ken Dunn | Meet The Peer
Joy and the recovery journey aren’t usually synonymous, but if Ken Dunn, Chief Joy Facilitator has his way, that won’t be the case for much longer. With an emphasis on the importance of joy and play when pursuing a goal, learning something new, or taking on a challenge, he delivers a message of hope and inspiration. Sharing his lived experience with substance use, work, and video game addiction, Ken discusses the importance of mindfulness and acceptance. Additionally, Ken encourages everyone to design their own recovery pathway – finding what works for them and knowing that their recovery is truly theirs.
Talk to Ken: https://straightupcare.org/consultant-profile/515
educe The Stigma is sponsored by Straight Up Care, the telehealth platform empowering lived experience. If you're in need of support, check out Straight Up Care - where shared lived experience powers recovery.
We want to hear from you - send us your feedback!
Links
Straight Up Care: straightupcare.com
Watch our episodes: ReduceTheStigma.com, Amazon Fire TV, Roku TV
Acknowledgements
Host: Whitney Menarcheck
Editing by: Sarah Elash
Music by: AudioSphere -
Hocus Focus: Coming of age with ADD and its medications by RL Kramer | Recovery Conversations
ADD/ADHD has received a lot of attention in recent years for the over-prescribing of medications. In fact, the US is experiencing a nation-wide shortage of medications used to treat ADD/ADHD. While the diagnosis has been in existence since the 1960s, albeit under a different name, the prevalence of ADD (now known as ADHD) and its medications surged in the 1990s among elementary-aged children. Decades later, we’re now able to gain insight into the impact of childhood medications on personal development and adulthood. In this episode of Reduce The Stigma – Recovery Conversations, RL Kramer, author of Hocus Focus: Coming of age with ADD and its medications, shares his experiencing growing up with prescribed medications, starting at the young age of seven years old. Kramer’s story will have you rethinking our quick acceptance of recommended medications. A supporter of everyone doing what’s best for them, his message is that we all need to be more informed and aware of the potential consequences of medications, particularly amphetamines.
Reduce The Stigma is sponsored by Straight Up Care, the telehealth platform empowering lived experience. If you're in need of support, check out Straight Up Care - where shared lived experience powers recovery.
We want to hear from YOU - send us your feedback!
Are you an organization supporting individuals with substance use and/or mental health lived experience, a relevant content creator, or a person with lived experience involved in advocacy and want to join us for a conversation? Complete this form.
Links
RL Kramer: https://rlkramer.us/book/
Straight Up Care: straightupcare.com
Watch our episodes: ReduceTheStigma.com, Amazon Fire TV,a href="http://tinyurl.com/ReduceTheStigmaRoku" style="text-decora -
Breaking Stigma and Building Hope with Belinda Ennis | Meet The Peer
Talk to Belinda: Straight Up Care
Belinda Ennis, a peer in training in Arkansas, shares her experience in the peer space and the recovery community. Arkansas has a three-tiered system for peer specialists, with strict requirements for state certification. Belinda emphasizes the importance of support and networking in the training process. She discusses her own lived experience, including mental and physical health concerns, and the challenges she faced in recovery. Belinda highlights the need for safe and brave spaces in peer support work, where individuals can feel empowered and respected. She also advocates for language that is person-centered and free from stigma.
Reduce The Stigma is sponsored by Straight Up Care, the telehealth platform empowering lived experience. If you're in need of support, check out Straight Up Care - where shared lived experience powers recovery.
We want to hear from you - send us your feedback!
Links
Straight Up Care: straightupcare.com
Watch our episodes: ReduceTheStigma.com, Amazon Fire TV, Roku TV
Acknowledgements
Host: Whitney Menarcheck
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Recovery Conversations: Alicia Nolan, Founder of Choose to Live
In this episode of Recovery Conversations, host Whitney Menarcheck interviews Alicia Nolan, the founder of Choose to Live, shares her personal experience with suicide and mental health and how it led her to start her organization. Choose to Live aims to create a safe space for people to talk about their struggles and reduce the stigma surrounding mental health. Alicia discusses the importance of sharing stories and listening to others without judgment. She also emphasizes the need for mental health reform and increased access to resources. The conversation highlights the power of connection, vulnerability, and asking for help.
Takeaways
Choose to Live is an organization dedicated to suicide prevention and mental health awareness.
Sharing stories and listening without judgment can create a safe space for people to talk about their struggles.
There is a need for mental health reform and increased access to resources.
Connection, vulnerability, and asking for help are powerful tools in promoting mental health.
Reduce The Stigma is sponsored by Straight Up Care, the telehealth platform empowering lived experience. If you're in need of support, check out Straight Up Care - where shared lived experience powers recovery.
We want to hear from YOU - send us your feedback!
Are you an organization supporting individuals with substance use and/or mental health lived experience, a relevant content creator, or a person with lived experience involved in advocacy and want to join us for a conversation? Complete this form.
Links
Choose to Live: Alicia Nolan - Choose to L;VE Journey (choosetolive.org)
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Meet The Peer: Sam Mason, Peer Support Specialist
Talk to Sam: https://straightupcare.org/consultant-profile/5411133
Sam Mason, a peer support specialist based in South Dakota, shares her inspiring journey of resilience and healing. Hosted by Whitney Menarcheck, this conversation delves into Sam's lived experiences as both a survivor of unhealthy relationships and a supportive loved one of individuals battling substance use disorder. Sam opens up about the challenges she faced growing up in abusive environments, which shaped her perceptions and behaviors in relationships. She discusses the complexities of supporting her partner through substance misuse while navigating the impact on her family dynamics. Throughout the interview, Sam sheds light on the vital role of peer support in mental health and addiction recovery. She emphasizes the importance of empathy, validation, and non-judgmental support in overcoming stigma and fostering healing. From addressing misconceptions about self-harm to advocating for understanding and acceptance, Sam shares valuable insights and offers a message of hope to those facing similar struggles. Her story serves as a reminder that no one is alone in their journey toward recovery and that peer support can provide the understanding and connection needed to thrive.
Reduce The Stigma is sponsored by Straight Up Care, the telehealth platform empowering lived experience. If you're in need of support, check out Straight Up Care - where shared lived experience powers recovery.
We want to hear from you - send us your feedback!
Links
Straight Up Care: straightupcare.com
Watch our episodes: ReduceTheStigma.com, Amazon Fire TV, Roku TV
Acknowledgements
Host: Whitney Menarcheck
Editing by: Sarah Elash
Music by: AudioSphere
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Recovery Conversations: Mary Beth O'Connor, Author "From Junkie To Judge"
In this powerful interview, Mary Beth O'Connor shares her journey from trauma and addiction to becoming a judge, offering hope and inspiration to others facing similar struggles. From growing up in a violent household to battling addiction for over a decade, Mary Beth's story is one of resilience and triumph. Discover how trauma and addiction are often interconnected and how Mary Beth found solace in drugs before embarking on her path to recovery. Despite facing numerous challenges, including struggles with mental health and navigating the criminal justice system, Mary Beth persevered and found her way to sobriety. Learn about the importance of addressing both substance use disorder and underlying mental health issues in recovery, and explore alternative pathways to healing beyond traditional 12-step programs. Mary Beth's advocacy work aims to reduce stigma and promote understanding of addiction and recovery, offering hope to individuals and families affected by these issues. Join us as Mary Beth shares insights, challenges, and words of encouragement for anyone on their journey to recovery. No matter where you are, there is always hope and a path forward. Don't miss this empowering conversation that sheds light on the complexities of addiction, trauma, and recovery, and offers hope for a brighter future. Subscribe to our podcast for more inspiring stories and discussions to reduce the stigma.
Watch the full episode:
FireTV - http://tinyurl.com/ReduceTheStigmaFireTV
ROKU TV - http://tinyurl.com/ReduceTheStigmaRoku and www.reducethestigma.com
Listen to the podcast episode: YouTube Music - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqBhbueCf8mFBWErp99yZiZBRsJnn94wi
Takeaways
Trauma and addiction are often closely connected, and addressing both is crucial for recovery.
Intelligence does not protect against addiction, as substance use disorder is often rooted in trauma or other mental health conditions.
Personalized recovery plans and alternative pathways to recovery are essential for success.
Mandating 12-step programs in drug courts can be ineffective and may hinder individuals' recovery journeys.
Decriminalization and evidence-based approaches are needed to address substance use disorder and reduce stigma.
We want to hear from YOU - send us your feedback!
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