State of Mind with Debra Sloss Debra Sloss

Episode #52: We’re joined by ACA Program participants Bill Trimpi and Birch Curry to discuss their childhoods in dysfunctional families, the lasting mental health impacts of those experiences, and how they found support and growth in the 12-step program Adult Children of Alcoholics & Dysfunctional Families (ACA). Community member Patrice Vecchione tenderly describes the confusion and heartbreak of growing up with a mother with alcohol addiction.

Episode #51: People, including men, are utilizing therapy now more than ever. We’ll explore what therapy is like for men: the barriers, the benefits and the types available. Guest Host Lisa Herendeen is joined by guests Joey Fino and Mark Vanderhoof, who share their personal experiences of therapy. Also joining us is psychotherapist Tim Hartnett, who describes how therapeutic work, in and out of the therapy room, can help men live fuller, happier lives with greater connection to those they love and care about.

Episode #50: We’re joined by Laura Vollset & Maggie Muir to discuss Perinatal Depression & Anxiety (PPD). While this is one of the most common complications of pregnancy, it is often unrecognized and under-diagnosed. Laura shares her experience of having had debilitating PPD after the birth of her twins. She sought treatment, found support, and wended her way to back to wellness and joy in parenting. Maggie Muir, a Licensed Psychotherapist, Board Certified Lactation Consultant, and Perinatal Support Group Leader explains what PPD is, who is at risk, and how and where mothers and family members can get help.

Episode #49: This episode features a collection of nuanced and highly personal stories about making reproductive decisions and how these choices impact mental health. Some of what you’ll hear may be difficult, but we urge you to listen and challenge yourself to hold the complexity, the diversity, and the common humanity in each tale. Our feature story is by writer, teacher and poet Patrice Vecchione. Joining us to listen, reflect on, and respond to these important reproductive health stories is Alissa Perrucci, PhD, the Counseling & Administrative Manager at the Women's Options Center at San Francisco General Hospital. More information and resource list here: https://ksqd.org/reproductive-freedom-essential-for-mental-health/

Episode #48: While Human Immunodeficiency Viruses (commonly called HIV and AIDS), has been transformed from a deadly disease to a chronic, manageable condition, there is still stigma, discrimination and misunderstanding that can have a significant impact on the mental health of those living with it. Guest host and psychotherapist Kaleo Kaluhiwa is joined by mental health counselor Bryan Golson to discuss the unique and complex physical and mental health needs of those living and aging with HIV. Guest Jim Schultz also joins the conversation to share his experience of living through the AIDS epidemic and explain how he has learned to manage and even thrive with his condition over the last 30+ years.
More information and resources here: https://ksqd.org/aging-with-hiv/

Episode #47: To honor Mental Health Awareness Month, we’re turning our attention to bipolar disorder, a serious mental health condition that causes extreme mood swings. If not treated and managed, bipolar disorder can be dangerous and cause great disruption in a young adult’s life. Guest Allyson Makuch shares her experience of living with and managing bipolar disorder throughout her college and graduate school years. University of California, Santa Cruz Director of Psychiatry, Dr. David Lo also joins us to inform us about bipolar disorder and ways to manage it while in college.
More information and resources here: https://ksqd.org/navigating-bipolar-disorder-in-college/