The full crew is back for our Season 1 finale episode before we take a break for the summer. Join Wes, Kels, and Autumn as they answer questions you have submitted, including what therapy tools we've found most helpful, the difference between feeling overwhelmed and anxious and having anxiety, if there's a wrong way to start therapy, and ways to truly live in the moment. The team also reflects on some of the things they most enjoyed about Season 1. Also, make sure to listen to the end to hear a sneak preview on some things coming up in Season 2, as well as some more details on merch.

Thank you for joining us this season! We look forward to more #mentalhealthmondays in the future and are grateful for all of our listeners. We can't wait to keep building our Embrace Mental Health community and joining together to continue having conversations surrounding all things mental health.

Follow us on social media: Instagram - @embrace.mental.health Facebook - www.facebook.com/emh.nsc/ Email - embracementalhealthnsc@gmail.com

Sometimes, you just gotta talk in all caps. Especially when you're talking about something as important and universally relevant as mental health. In this episode, Kelsey and Autumn take the gloves off and get real about why avoiding dealing with your issues isn't a sign of toughness or honor, and what it is costing not only you, but also the people around you. Healing is hard work. But it may be one of the absolute most important pursuits of your life. Life hurts and it isn't fair. We all have wounds and scars that affect us. But the best way to heal from it, is to DEAL WITH IT.

Follow us on social media: Instagram - @embrace.mental.health Facebook - www.facebook.com/emh.nsc/ Email - embracementalhealthnsc@gmail.com

In this episode, Kelsey and Autumn take on some more mental health myths and assumptions. Are mentally ill people more violent? Can you always tell just by looking if someone is experiencing depression? Do psychotropic meds lead to drug addiction? Does time truly heal all wounds? We also address recent comments by a prominent pastor claiming PTSD, OCD, ADHD, etc are not real. We cover a lot of territory and it gets a little spicy! But sometimes it takes a little spice to break down dangerous and hurtful stigmas. And what better time than during Mental Health Awareness Month?

Follow us on social media: Instagram - @embrace.mental.health Facebook - www.facebook.com/emh.nsc/ Email - embracementalhealthnsc@gmail.com

It can be hard to walk alongside a loved one as they navigate through a difficult time, but it can be especially hard when they're reluctant to accept help. How do you deal with it when someone is struggling with their mental health but they refuse to go to therapy? Wes and Kelsey talk through some ways you can still provide support but also some ways you can support yourself as you try to walk alongside someone who may like to take the "scenic route" in their pursuit of mental health.

Follow us on social media: Instagram - @embrace.mental.health Facebook - www.facebook.com/emh.nsc/ Email - embracementalhealthnsc@gmail.com

If you think you could fit right in the Tortured Poet’s Department, this episode is for you. Sometimes our emotions get big and overwhelming and it can be hard to stay in control of them without letting them take control of you. Autumn and Kelsey, fellow big feelers, talk about some tips for emotion regulation, understanding what part trauma can play, and how to identify, understand, and release our emotions in ways that honor their usefulness and purpose but also help us not get swept into them too deep.

Follow us on social media: Instagram - @embrace.mental.health Facebook - www.facebook.com/emh.nsc/ Email - embracementalhealthnsc@gmail.com

All of us have heard the word trauma, and the reality is the vast majority of us have experienced it personally too. But what does trauma do to us? How does it affect our brain? And what does healing look like? In this episode, Wes and Kelsey delve into the intricate web of the topic of trauma, exploring its multifaceted impacts on our brains and on our lives, and also explore the very possible and very real journey towards healing. Join us in this introductory episode on this very complex but incredibly important topic, so we can all be more informed on this issue that truly affects us all.

Follow us on social media: Instagram - @embrace.mental.health Facebook - www.facebook.com/emh.nsc/ Email - embracementalhealthnsc@gmail.com

Show Notes:

EMDR Introductory Video - https://youtu.be/Pkfln-ZtWeY?si=ncXnQHcBIfzEtf84

Polyvagal Theory Chart - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1H34VM0tcPAtxYXvECBzbaHBu2c4EqxY2/view?usp=drive_link

This week on the Embrace Mental Health podcast, we are joined by a special guest who you have heard a lot about before but haven't gotten to "formally" meet. Kelsey is joined by Britany, who has been a dear friend and important support for Kelsey in her mental health journey.

Kelsey and Britany discuss the concept of invisible illness, and how it is often necessary for people who suffer from invisible illness to engage in self advocacy. Whether it's with medical professionals, your place of work, or even your own friends and family, it's important to know how to identify, communicate, and work with others on meeting your needs. In this episode, we dive deeper into what that means, and how you can advocate for yourself respectfully and effectively.

Follow us on social media: Instagram - @embrace.mental.health Facebook - www.facebook.com/emh.nsc/ Email - embracementalhealthnsc@gmail.com

We've talked about some tips for loved ones from the perspective of those with mental health struggles. But in this episode, we discuss some things mental health professionals would want the people closest to their clients to know. Listen in as Wesley and Kelsey talk through helpful perspectives to have on the therapy process, some ways you can help your loved ones get the most out of therapy, and ways that you can make sure you have enough support too.

Follow us on social media: Instagram - @embrace.mental.health Facebook - www.facebook.com/emh.nsc/ Email - embracementalhealthnsc@gmail.com