Mental Health Matters

In the first episode of its kind, Mental Health Matters goes to the streets! Real folks from the community ask how to deal with personal and sometimes stressful situations that arise during the holiday season. Host Shannon Eliot chats with BJ North, peer support expert, and Alan Stein, Marriage, Family, and Child Therapist, about how contributors can get through their holiday-induced stressors.

Host Shannon Eliot interviews two individuals who are highly involved in the mental health consumer movement and passionate about individual rights. Khatera Aslami, Executive Director of PEERS, and Sally Zinman, a movement pioneer and editor of the book Reaching Across: Mental Health Clients Helping Each Other discuss the topic of expanded forced treatment and the implications of AB 1421, or Laura's Law.

Read the PEERS position paper on the issue here.

Wellness Recovery Action Planning, or WRAP, is an evidence-based system that is used worldwide by people who are dealing with mental health and other kinds of wellness challenges. It is a unique form of mental health support in that is peer-led and self-directed. Join host Shannon Eliot as she chats with Mary Ellen Copeland, author of the book "Wellness Recovery Action Plan" and Matthew Federici, Executive Director of The Copeland Center for Wellness and Recovery.

Peer respite centers are community-based alternative models of mental health residential care. They foster wellness, are holistic in scope, and are staffed by people who are peers in terms of having experience in psychiatric crisis. Join host Barbara Meyers as she talks with Yana Jacobs and Dr. Michael Cornwall, two individuals who have experience with this promising practice.

Beats, Rhymes, and Life, or BRL, is an Oakland-based community organization that aims to promote mental health and wellness among youth through rap, hip hop, and other forms of pop culture. Host Shannon Eliot chats with founder Tomas Alvarez III and alum Damontae Wilson about BRL's origin, purpose, and goals for the future. They also discuss how rap therapy is used around the world.

Crisis Intervention Training, or CIT, is a program that trains police officers on how to better understand and interact with people who are having mental health crises. Join host Barbara Meyers as she chats with a police officer from the Oakland Police Department, a family member, and a consumer about this promising program.