How to Separate the Person from the Diagnosis: A Journey to Mental Health Understanding l EP.50
Mental health is a multidimensional aspect of our well-being, encompassing emotional, psychological, and social facets. Hence, it prompts us to view individuals not through the narrow lens of diagnoses but as complex beings with diverse emotional, psychological, and social needs. However, many people fail to separate the person who struggles with their mental health from the labels imposed by diagnoses. As our guest speaker aptly points out, changing the narrative from "that person is a drug addict" to "that person struggles with addiction" is a pivotal shift in language that reflects a more compassionate and accurate understanding. By acknowledging the struggle rather than defining the person by it, we break down the misconceptions surrounding mental health. Together, let's contribute to breaking down barriers, nurturing connections, and ultimately, creating a world where mental health is viewed with empathy, openness, and a commitment to holistic well-being. In this episode, we want to help listeners gain a deeper understanding of the critical components involved in fostering mental health and well-being, both at an individual and community level. We aim to unravel the intricacies of mental health services, the impact of personal stories, and the significance of breaking down stigmas surrounding mental health conditions. Through the exploration of real-life examples and practical advice, we aspire to empower our audience with the tools needed to identify signs of struggle in youth, create a supportive environment, and contribute to the unlearning of prevalent misconceptions about mental health. Join us on this enlightening journey as we navigate the complexities of mental health, challenge stereotypes, and provide valuable insights that can foster a more compassionate and understanding society. Today, we're joined by Nathalie Williams, a Florida Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) with over a decade of experience in mental health and substance abuse services. She has worked with individuals of all age groups, offering support for a wide range of diagnoses across various treatment settings, including in-home, outpatient, inpatient crisis stabilization, and residential care. Nathalie's expertise extends to co-occurring disorders, trauma survivors, high utilizers of behavioral health services, PTSD, offenders, homeless individuals, and those with developmental disabilities. She provides individual and family counseling, group counseling, crisis prevention, assessments, and case management. In addition to her clinical work, Nathalie has extensive management experience, overseeing programs such as outpatient services, case management, residential group homes, psychiatric support services, and an intensive in-home program for at-risk youth. As the Director of Outpatient Services and Case Management at Lakeview Center of Walton County, Nathalie is dedicated to improving the well-being of her clients. Her career is characterized by a commitment to using evidence-based therapies, including Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), to provide effective and transformative techniques. Throughout her journey, Nathalie's work embodies the resilience and strength of the human spirit, empowering individuals to overcome even the most challenging circumstances. “Learning how to make our language more accepting and warmer and making a person feel like the individual that they are, it is a key component to breaking the stigma around mental health.” – Nathalie Williams Show Highlights: (00:00:00) Episode disclaimer, highlight, and introduction (00:02:11) Welcoming today's guest, Nathalie Williams. (00:04:41) How did you go from Chicago to Pensacola? (00:06:25) How did Nathalie’s purpose change? (00:09:11) Importance of self-awareness (00:11:13) Nathalie’s role in Lakeview Center (00:14:17) The Baker Act (00:17:00) The difference of inpatient and outpatient care (00:20:34)
