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Episodes
Friday Jan 31, 2025
Friday Jan 31, 2025
Melanie Balestra, a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, attorney & author of the book Suicide: A Mother's Journey Through Her Childs Pain joins eHealth Radio and the Health News and Mental Health Channels.
Listen to interview with host Eric Michaels & guest Melanie Balestra discuss the following:
Why did you write this book - Suicide: A Mother's Journey Through Her Childs Pain?
Why do you think mental illness has increased in children?
What are some signs of mental illness in children?
What are signs of suicidal tendencies?
How does one cope with suicide of a child?
How does one keep from playing the blame game if their child commits suicide?
Melanie Balestra has been a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner for 45 years and attorney for 23 years. She is the mother of two girls. Her youngest daughter started showing signs of abnormal behavior at the age of 3 but no one would listen to her.
Social Media Links: Facebook: https://facebook.com/melanie.balestra Instagram: https://instagram.com/melanie.balestra Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/attymelaniebalestra
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Wednesday Jan 15, 2025
Wednesday Jan 15, 2025
Shawn Léon Nowotnik, who is an artist, author, filmmaker, and therapist living outside Chicago joins eHealth Radio and the Health News and Mental Health Channels. His new book is F*ck Happiness: The Search for Meaning in a World Gone Mad Chasing Happiness.
Listen to interview with host Eric Michaels & guest Shawn Léon Nowotnik discuss the following:
What inspired you to choose such a bold title, "F*ck Happiness," and what do you hope it conveys to readers?
Can you elaborate on the idea that the pursuit of happiness can be detrimental? What specific societal pressures do you believe contribute to this phenomenon?
How do you differentiate between happiness and a deeper sense of meaning in life? Why is this distinction important?
You discuss authenticity as vital to personal fulfillment. What are some practical ways individuals can begin to embrace their true selves in a culture that often promotes conformity?
Could you explain the concept of the "hedonic treadmill" and its implications for those constantly seeking happiness?
What personal experiences led you to challenge the traditional narrative around happiness?
You mention the complexities of the human experience. How has embracing these complexities shaped your own life and outlook?
You touch on the fear of judgment that comes with being authentic. How can individuals overcome this fear in a society dominated by social media and curated identities?
Shawn Léon Nowotnik, MSW, LCSW, is an artist, author, filmmaker, and therapist living outside Chicago. After losing his son to suicide, he was compelled to reevaluate his own narrative — and look at how loss, mental health, and addiction can affect every aspect of a person’s life. He's developed holistic treatment programs and advocates for improved mental health and addiction disorder treatments, as well as researching, writing, and public speaking about addiction, community, mental health, narrative, and social issues. His new book is F*ck Happiness: The Search for Meaning in a World Gone Mad Chasing Happiness.
Website: https://www.shawnleonnowotnik.com
Social Media Links: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawn-leon-nowotnikFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/shawn.nowotnik
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Tuesday Dec 12, 2023
Tuesday Dec 12, 2023
Dr. Nikki Martinez who has been working as an Independent Medical Expert to assist the courts, for the past decade and has also been an Adjunct professor for almost 14 years again joins eHealth Radio and the Psychology and Mental Health Channels continuing an on-going series. Dr. Martinez engages in domestic and international consulting for various individuals, groups, and organizations, and offers individual and couples consulting via Tele-mental health services.
Topic: It’s NOT the Medication, It’s the Motivation!
Listen to interview with host Eric Michaels and guest Dr. Nikki Martinez discuss the following:
As the topic of the show notes, there Is an important misunderstanding about the fact that pre-existing suicidal thoughts cause suicidal behavior in individuals, not mental health medications. Could you explain what that misunderstanding is?
You note that it is essential that a child has a thorough evaluation before starting an antidepressant by a trained professional. Who should conduct it, what should it entail, and why is it so important?
The FDA has put a “Black Box” warning on ALL antidepressants but has only approved 9 for children and youth, and you also have some research you would like to discuss that shows it is not these medications that cause suicidal thoughts.
You note that a major problem is that parents, guardians, and providers don’t always realize that a teen is suicidal, and so they blame the medication when no one is asking the questions and having the conversation.
Based on your experience, and reports from individuals you have worked with over the years, what conversations could providers and guardians be having with children and teens to help make sure these incidents are significantly reduced?
Dr. Nicole Martinez received her master’s and her Doctorate from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology and completed her pre-doctoral and post-doctoral fellowship at Gateway Foundation in Lake Villa, Illinois. Prior to that, she attended the University of St. Francis where she completed a double major in Psychology and Therapeutic Recreation, with a specialization in the arts. Dr. Martinez has experience working with adolescents, children, and adults in individual, family, and group treatment.
Her therapeutic style can be described as integrative, assessing the needs and style that will best serve the individual client. She typically has a mix of Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapy and various holistic approaches, with an emphasis on CBT, Solution Focused Therapy, Reality Therapy, and Positive Psychology. She believes in exploring the connection between the body and the mind to treat all the individuals’ needs. Her belief is that an individual must explore many areas of their functioning to ensure optimum health physically and emotionally.
She stresses the essential belief that the therapist and client relationship is collaborative in nature, and the two are partners who communicate from the first steps of designing the course and goals of treatment, as well as what the priorities will be. Dr. Martinez understands that it is just as important to identify any treatment styles, tools, techniques, or methods that did work, but what did not work as well, so that the two of you can work together charting a new path and avoiding precious time lost and frustration on that which has already been proven to be a poor fit.
Dr. Martinez also understands that each person is unique, there is no one size fits all, and that the needs of an individual may not only change from the initial inception of a treatment plan but from month to month or session to session, and that adapting and meeting the patient; where they are at; at any given moment is essential to both letting the patient knows they are being heard and attended to, as well as positive treatment outcomes.
Areas of expertise: medical and health psychology, trauma, trauma-focused CBT, PTSD, depression, anxiety, social anxiety, bipolar disorder, ADHD, autism spectrum disorders, neurodivergent emerging considerations, LGBTQIA populations, bereavement, forensics, substance abuse, and misuse disorders, addictive issues and behaviors, couples work, MISA populations, co-occurring disorders, domestic violence issues, sex offenders, special needs populations, and chronic medical issues and rare diseases. Evaluation and assessment of the above-mentioned individuals, as well as review of previous assessments.
Website: https://www.drnikkimartinez.com
Article Archives: EverydayPower: https://everydaypower.com/author/nmmartinez Huffington Post: https://www.huffpost.com/author/nmmartinez1313-296
Social Media: Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/nikki-martinez Podbean: https://drnikkimartinez.podbean.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nikkimaramartinez
The beliefs, views, ideas, thoughts and opinions expressed on any program are those of the persons appearing on the program and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the eHealth Radio Network.
Show Note: Article from Mayo Clinic on this Topic: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/teen-depression/in-depth/antidepressants/art-20047502?p=1 Article from UChicagoMed: https://www.uchicagomedicine.org/forefront/research-and-discoveries-articles/study-calculates-links-between-prescription-medications-and-risk-for-suicide Article from Harvard: https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/parents-dont-always-realize-that-their-teen-is-suicidal-201902132897
Tuesday Dec 14, 2021
Tuesday Dec 14, 2021
Bianca D. McCall, an expert in suicide prevention and creator of the Reach In Now mobile application, created to impact communities in need joins eHealth Radio and the Mobile App & Suicide Prevention Channels.
Listen to interview with host Eric Michaels and guest Bianca D. McCall discuss the following:
Suicide prevention is an ongoing need in all demographics, but particularly with African Americans we have seen an uptick in suicides lately. Is this true and if so is there a root cause?
How has the current COVID-19 pandemic impacted suicide rates? Has it impacted people's ability to get help and services?
Why are services and resources so important in suicide prevention?
You have created a platform to help people who are experiencing mental health concerns and to combat the rise in suicides we are seeing in our communities. Can you tell us more about it?
What makes the Reach In Now app different than other mental health apps that we see in this space?
Bianca D. McCall is a renowned Subject Matter Expert in the Epidemiology of Human Behavior; with a specialization in suicide prevention. She is The Founder & CEO of Desert Rose Counseling Group, which recently celebrated its 10th year anniversary and is the first integrated behavioral health agency to offer suicide prevention programming, in Nevada State who ranks 7th in the nation for suicide rates. Bianca is a masters-level licensed marriage and family therapist, community advocate, leader, creator, moderator, keynote, host, and executive producer of Reach In - the docuseries which features the incredible stories of people who are surviving various tragedy and adverse experiences.
She is also an author of the world's first multi-step trauma-recovery program called, The 11 Triumphs. Additionally, in response to the pandemic, Bianca has also launched the Reach In Now University (RINU) © - an online platform for connecting with a socially-emotionally supportive community and learning mental fitness. The Reach In Now mobile application was launched in conjunction with RINU to provide a platform for healing for its users and to level the proverbial mental health playing field that has seen many people go without services and resources due to economic and societal disparities. And finally Desert Rose Gives, the nonprofit organization founded by Bianca was created to provide scholarships for members to access the Reach In Now mobile application and partner applications; as well as the ability to access services from a holistic provider network.
A retired women’s basketball player, Bianca has battled with a plethora of mental health conditions throughout most of her life to include anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress from childhood trauma, and even imposter syndrome that has manifested itself in many ways. But as a driven competitor, Bianca has utilized her experiences for the greater good of helping and motivating others.
Websites: www.reachinnow.com | www.desertrosegives.org
Social Media Links: Facebook: https://facebook.com/desertroselvInstagram: https://instagram.com/desertrosehmsTwitter: https://twitter.com/desertrosehms
Monday Jul 09, 2012
Monday Jul 09, 2012
Dr. William Marchand, board-certified academic psychiatrist and neuroscientist joins eHealth Radio to talk about treatment options for depression and bipolar disorder. He is currently Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Utah and also holds an adjunct appointment in the Department of Psychology.
Listen to interview [audio player below] with host Eric Michaels & guest Dr. William Marchand discuss the following:
Recent studies have found that 30-40% of people suffering from mood disorders don’t receive any type of treatment. Why do so many people go without help?
What are the basic differences between depression and bipolar disorder?
Are mood disorders curable?
Your book is very hands-on with many interactive, workbook features. How does this approach aid readers?
What are some of the treatment options for depression and bipolar disorder? What are the potential benefits of combining approaches (i.e. medication and other biological treatments, psychotherapy and complementary approaches such as diet, exercise and mindfulness exercises)?
TIP: Those suffering from mood disorders can expect to get well. Sometimes it takes a little time, but almost everyone with a mood disorder can get better and stay well for life. Depression and Bipolar Disorder: Your Guide to Recovery provides information, guidance, and specific strategies to help readers achieve full recovery.
William Marchand, MD is a board-certified academic psychiatrist and neuroscientist. He is currently Associate Professor of Psychiatry (Clinical) at the University of Utah and also holds an adjunct appointment in the Department of Psychology. After a number of years of treating mood disorders in clinical settings, he decided to focus his efforts on research into the neurobiology of mood and anxiety disorders as well as education or mental health providers and the general public.
Related Web Site: bullpub.com
Saturday Jun 09, 2012
Saturday Jun 09, 2012
Sgt. Thomas Rich, "the cyberbullying expert" has been traveling the country making a difference one school at a time & joins eHealth Radio. Sgt. Rich is the "original" creator/founder of a program called "Generation Text". After having huge success since 2008 with this program, he decided to create "Always Connected" in 2011 and take it to a whole new level.
Listen to interview [audio player below] with host Eric Michaels & guest Sgt. Thomas Rich discuss the following:
How did you first come up with idea of Always Connected?
What age groups do you address when you present these motivational speeches?
What is your message to the audiences that you speak to as you travel the country?
What has been your most memorable moment in this journey of yours, so far?
How can parents talk to their children about being more responsible with their online behavior and their everyday use of technology.
Detective Sgt Thomas Rich, is currently a certified police officer in the State of New Jersey entering his 15th year of service.
Sgt Rich is the "original" creator/founder of a program called "Generation Text". After having huge success since 2008 with this program, he decided to create "Always Connected" in 2011 and take it to a whole new level.
The purpose of "Always Connected" is to inform law enforcement, educators, administration, youth workers, youth groups, parents and children of all ages how to utilize technology in a positive way. Having dealt with children and investigations for the past ten years, Sgt Rich realized the huge impact that technology was having on children, especially in regards to cyberbullying, Sgt Rich decided to focus his efforts on educating audiences about current trends, real life problems and solutions for schools, parents and children. Most importantly help to address the problems that children face using technology and how these pitfalls lead to cyberbullying.
Sgt Rich has been a DARE instructor for the past 10 years and has been involved with the children in his town for the past 12 years. Having spent his entire career dedicated to children, has helped make this program exceptional at every turn. He brings the real world experience of what kids are going through on a daily basis and most importantly SOLUTIONS..... Solutions to the hard questions that children face everyday.
Sgt Rich has been servicing the Tri-State area since 2008 covering these very important topics.
The assemblies cover the ages from 3rd grade up through high school. He also has been featured as a guest speaker at the 2008 and 2009 DARE New Jersey Conference in Atlantic City, NJ and the 2008 and 2009 New Jersey Juvenile Officer's Association Convention in Atlantic City NJ.
Links: www.alwaysconnected.org