Mental Health Matters with Marty

Life can be confusing for children growing up in broken and blended families.  Kids feel caught in the middle of trying to please both Dad and Mom when separation and divorce happens.  But who can our children turn to?  What do they do?  I understand.  I was once there too.  Listen to my latest episode as interview my mentee, Brandon McDaniel as he shares REAL life situations that have occurred in his life.  Brandon, I applaud you candidly sharing your experiences of growing up in the Mid-West in a splintered family.  Thank you for expressing the need for Black Male Role Models!  You have a bright future ahead of you!  

June is Men's Health Awareness Month.  Why is this so critical to focus on Men's Health Awareness?  The truth of the matter is that we as men fail to take care of of ourselves emotionally, mentally and physically.  During this episode, I discuss some of the challenges that men face and why we continue to have a fight or flight mentality when it comes to our mental and physical health.  Enjoy.  

Have you ever felt like you have been living in this nightmare of pain that simply won't go away?  You have said to yourself, "I've been here before.  I've already experienced this trauma and I'm tired of reliving it."  Yes... not simply deja vu, but DEMENTED DEJA VU!  So many of us are having symptoms of Vicarious Trauma when we are constantly reminded of the violent deaths of so many who have suffered unjustly at the hands of systemic racism.  Please listen as I explain the signs and symptoms of Vicarious Trauma that many of us are experiencing this past year due to devastating events that has occurred in too many of our communities.  

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month.  Too many children continue to suffer in silence in their homes, especially during this horrible pandemic, called COVID-19.  Although child abuse reporting has decreased due to the coronavirus, hospitalization over the past year due to child abuse and neglect has NOT decreased - but has INCREASED!!!  This is a problem.  There is healing.  There is help.  There is hope.   Child Abuse Prevention Hotline Number:  800- 4-A-Child;   800.422.4453

Let's admit it, 2020 was a difficult year for so many of us.  With that being said, too many of us were secretly suffering in silence in the shadow of shame due to political, social, economical, educational, cultural, racial, psychological, and medical disparities that so many experienced during the pandemic.  One of the things that we can do to facilitate psychological change is to simply ask, "Bro, you good?"  In other words, let's check in on each other.  It is a simple thing, yet so powerful.  

Join me in part 2 of our discussion on Black FATHERHOOD in Blended Families with three of my best friends: Stephen Dolphin, Brent Jones, and Vendon Smith. We share the sacrifice, the struggle, the strength, and the changing situations of blended families.

It is time to BREATHE! We have experienced so much in 2020 that we need to BREATHE. Inhale and Exhale. Discover the five steps to taking a breath this year in releasing all the anxiety and frustrations from your past.

It is a NEW year and a NEW opportunity for a FRESH START. Too many are bogged down with the weight of the past, dragging the 100 pound negative weight into the FRESH START of this NEW YEAR. Discover the 5 key points on Making the Most of a FRESH START of a New Year.

Remaining positive during times like these is a difficult thing to do. We are in COVID. We have had a some financial challenges. We are in stay at home orders. We are wearing masks. And now, we are about to approach the Holiday Season with all of this and some going on in our lives. What do we have to do to find light at the end of the tunnel? I'm glad you asked. Join me as I interview, Mr. Positivity - John Daniel. You will be inspired and uplifted all at the same time. For additional information, go to my website at: www.mentalhealthmarty.com. IG - @mental_health_martyFB - Mental Health Matters with Marty IG for John - @thewayywithjayy

Holiday Blues are real, but add COVID and it is magnified. Discover some important tools to help you manage your anxiety and depression during this "different" holiday experience. Also, I share some vital tips for those who are trying to maintain their sobriety during this COVID Holiday as well. Please share with those who could use support and hope during what appears to be unhopeful times. You are NOT alone! There is HOPE. There is HELP. There is HEALING.

Black Men care a great deal of unresolved anxiety, stress, depression, emotional frustration and other trauma that present as anger and destruction. Join myself and Licensed Professional Counselor/Author, Danny L. Ross, as we discuss relevant stressors for Black Men. Danny and I also discuss "COMPLICATED GRIEF" during the Holidays. It is difficult to manage our emotions with so much happening in 2020, but it is possible. Become an I Matter Member by texting "I MATTER" to 31996, and visit my website at www.mentalhealthmarty.com. FB - Mental Health Matters with Marty; IG - Mental_Health_Marty; Twitter - MH_Marty

Saturday, November 21, 2020, is International Survivors of Suicide Loss Awareness Day. This is a day of healing and hope for those who have lost loved ones to suicide. During this time, we need to be patient and offer support to those suffering in silence. Listen to 10 ways to be supportive to someone who are going through grief during this holiday season.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Too many men and women suffer in silence in the shadow of shame due to domestic violence. On average, nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States. During one year, this equates to more than 10 million women and men.Michael Adams, MAHS, of North Carolina, Domestic Violence Activist, Educator and Trainer, joins MHMM podcast as my first guest to share his experience as an educational facilitator of DV. This is a must-listen episode. National Domestic Violence Hotline Telephone Number: 1.800.799.7233Or www.thehotline.org for a live TEXT to chat with a professional to help you through your situation. Don't suffer in silence in the shadow of shame... but, #SpeakUp #SpeakOut #LIVE

In this week's episode of Mental Health Matters with Marty, I address the topic of Loving Yourself Again. This is such a difficult thing to do because so many of us want the approval of others. Sorry, but that oftentimes won't happen to the degree that we would like. Also, we have not forgiven ourselves from past mistakes. Learn how to get past your past by beginning to love yourself again. Stay updated with Mental Health Matters with Marty by texting “I MATTER” to 31996. I would love to stay in touch with you. #SpeakUp #SpeakOut #LIVE Follow me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/MarSellMHS Follow me on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCudLLeisuCk3yY0xgmBa_GA

In this week's episode of Mental Health Matters with Marty, I address the topic of The Blame Game. This is a toxic game of blaming others for things that have gone wrong in our own lives due to people using it as a defensive mechanism, as a point of attack, or because people will simply lie on you. But, you are NOT to blame. Stay updated with Mental Health Matters with Marty by texting “I MATTER” to 31996. I would love to stay in touch with you. #SpeakUp #SpeakOut #LIVE Follow me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/MarSellMHS Follow me on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCudLLeisuCk3yY0xgmBa_GA

In this week's episode of Mental Health Matters with Marty, I address the toxicity of SELF-HATRED. Self-hatred continues to fan the flames of low self-esteem and not loving oneself. It begins in our childhood when we are not shown proper love and encouragement from our parents. However, there is hope because I am loveable. Stay updated with Mental Health Matters with Marty by texting “I MATTER” to 31996. I would love to stay in touch with you. #SpeakUp #SpeakOut #LIVE Follow me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/MarSellMHS Follow me on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCudLLeisuCk3yY0xgmBa_GA

In this week's special edition of Mental Health Matters with Marty, I discuss the dynamics of being a black man in America in the backdrop of COVID-19 and the racial tension due to the senseless death of George Floyd. I share my heart, hurt and healing for a hurting community, a hurting nation, a hurting world. We can no longer suffer in silence in the shadow of privilege and shame. We have to Speak Up! We have to Speak Out! So that we can LIVE as the common race - the human race. Stay updated with Mental Health Matters with Marty by texting "I MATTER" to 31996. I would love to remain in contact with you. #SpeakUp #SpeakOut #LIVE Follow me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/MarSellMHS Follow me on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCudLLeisuCk3yY0xgmBa_GA

In this week’s episode of Mental Health Matters with Marty, I discuss the Power of Positivity by declaring, “I am OKAY.” Too often we allow TOXIC EMOTIONS to determine our behavior. Thoughts and emotions go together like cookies and milk. Change your behaviors by changing your thoughts. Yes, you matter because you are OKAY. Stay updated with Mental Health Matters with Marty by texting “I MATTER” to 31996. I would love to stay in touch with you. #SpeakUp #SpeakOut #LIVE Follow me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/MarSellMHS Follow me on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCudLLeisuCk3yY0xgmBa_GA

In this week’s episode I discuss the Power of Positivity by declaring, “I am ALRIGHT.” Too often we allow TOXIC THINKING to negatively affect our brain in such a way that we expect and look for the problems of our lives while living in defeat. You can speak up and speak live! Yes, you matter because you are ALRIGHT. Stay updated with Mental Health Matters with Marty by texting “I MATTER” to 31996. I would love to stay in touch with you. #SpeakUp #SpeakOut #LIVE Follow me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/MarSellMHS Follow me on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCudLLeisuCk3yY0xgmBa_GA

In this week’s episode I discuss the Power of Positivity by declaring “I am ENOUGH.” Get rid of the “stinking thinking” that has plagued your thoughts and behaviors. Although simple, this can be a difficult declaration when you think negatively about yourself. Yes, you matter because you are ENOUGH. Stay updated with Mental Health Matters with Marty by texting “I MATTER” to 31996. I would love to stay in touch with you. #SpeakUp #SpeakOut #LIVE Follow me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/MarSellMHS Follow me on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCudLLeisuCk3yY0xgmBa_GA

In this week’s episode I discuss the Power of Positivity! Too often we have a misconception about therapy. Mental health does not care who it affects! Mental health is an equal opportunity employer. YOU Matter! Don’t suffer in silence. Stay updated with Mental Health Matters with Marty by texting “I MATTER” to 31996. I would love to stay in touch with you. #SpeakUp #SpeakOut #LIVE Follow me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/MarSellMHS Follow me on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCudLLeisuCk3yY0xgmBa_GA