It has been over two years since the start of the pandemic, and we are only just now beginning to see the repercussions. The impact of mental health is often an invisible one, and we may not always see it until later. The pandemic has affected not only the condition of our mental health, but also restricted many of our access to resources that could give us the help we need. This effect is compounded in kids and teenagers, whose access to mental health resources often comes from school, which was shut down for much of the pandemic. When we embrace the notion that all of us have mental health that needs to be taken care of, we can begin to destigmatize reaching out for help for those who need it. Join the engaging and enlightening conversation on our most recent podcast with Liz Llamas and Christina Henderson as we discuss the need to prioritize taking care of our mental health especially as we come out of a world-changing pandemic.

Guests:

Liz Llamas - Liz Llamas has over 20 years of experience as a marriage and family therapist. She got her BA in General Psychology from San Francisco State University and her Master’s in Counseling Psychology from Santa Clara University. She works as a marriage and family therapist supporting youth and young adults with Psychological Services and Personal Counseling at Skyline College. She also spent time as an Adjunct Lecturer at her alma mater, Santa Clara University. She is a co-founder of the nonprofit CASSY (Counseling  and Support Services for Youth) which has established school based mental health programs in 54 elementary and high schools in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Cristina Henderson - Cristina Henderson received her Bachelor’s in Psychology from Cal State Long Beach. Then she went on to get her Master’s with Credentials in School Psychology from Cal State East Bay. She spent a number of years as a school psychologist for the Alum Rock School District in San Jose, California, where she worked with elementary and middle school students. Cristina now works in the full-time ministry along with her husband Ade. She mentors people of all life-stages, from high school to college to young professionals and families.

Reference Notes:

1. Mental Health America - 2022 State Of Mental Health In America Report
2. California Surgeon General – Adverse Childhood Experiences
3. Suicide: The Ripple Effect
4. J Stephenson quote - "Our emotional, psychological and social wellbeing. Mental health affects how we think, feel and act."
5. The New York Times - As A Crisis Hotline Grows, So Do Fears It Won’t Be Ready
6. Sherry Turkle - Reclaiming Conversation: The Power of Talk in a Digital Age
7. Brené Brown - Atlas of the Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Experience
8. Mental Health–Related Emergency Department Visits Among Children Aged <18 Years During the COVID-19 Pandemic
9. Tara Brach, Ph.D. - aggressive bad “othering”

Too often, people view leaders as those who are out front and in charge – they think in terms of power. But real leaders are those who have the ability to effect change in the lives of others. They are those who create a collaborative culture where everyone is supported, included, and set up to succeed. Join Russ Ewell’s conversation with educator and founder of Think Inclusive Tim Villegas as they discuss the necessity and importance of inclusion not just for those with disabilities, but for everyone.

Tim Villegas is director of communications at Maryland Coalition for Inclusive Education, a nonprofit that envisions a society where neighborhood schools welcome all learners and create the foundation for inclusive communities. Throughout his 16-year career as a special education teacher, Tim advocated for the inclusion of students with significant disabilities in general education classrooms and continues his work with MCIE to empower inclusive systems to change in schools and districts. He studied at Azusa Pacific University then California State University, Fullerton. He is the founder of Think Inclusive and the host of the Think Inclusive Podcast.

Resources:

• The Biggest Barriers to Inclusive Education by Tim Villegas
• Easterseals study on the impact of Covid-19 on People with Disabilities
• “When you are accustomed to privilege, equality feels like oppression.” - Anonymous
• The 5 Levels of Inclusion article
• The 5 Levels of Inclusion podcast
• The Beyond Access Model: Promoting Membership, Participation, and Learning for Students with Disabilities in the General Education Classroom
• Erik Carter and “belonging”

Rather than building an organization around an individual leader or one generation of leaders, the goal should be to build a sustainable organization, which requires developing multiple generations of leaders who share the vision of building the organization to last. Join Russ as he talks to Jim and Rick McCartney about the importance of leaders who raise up other leaders.

References:

1. Built to Last by Jim Collins
2. Michigan Football Jim Harbaugh
3. The Get Back - Beatles Documentary
4. The Road Less Traveled by M. Scott Peck
5. "On Children"by Kahlil Gibran
6. iRewardHealth
7. Vilua

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Guests:

• Jim McCartney
  • Obtained his BA in English from Duke University. He then went on to get his MBA in Finance from Boston University. Jim is a seasoned financial executive and leader, with expertise in investment finance, consulting, operational management, and leadership development. He has worked in for-profit and non-profit finance investments, and most recently been the Managing Director at Net Lease Capital Advisors for over 18 years. 
• Rick McCartney
  • Received his BA in Health and Counseling Psychology from Emmanuel College (in Boston), then attended Boston College for a Master of Science in Nursing. After working as a nurse practitioner for a time, Rick became CEO of iRewardHealth then Vilua, where he is using data technology to improve the health of people’s lives.