SafeSpace stories

In episode #8, we sat down with Kai, a SafeSpace alum and current Northeastern freshman. We cover recovery, relapses, what Kai wishes they had done differently, and Kai's advice for you. “I wish that someone who had the experiences I had had told me that,” they share. What is “that,” you ask? Listen and find out!

John lived in a world where mental health wasn't recognized—until his son faced severe struggles with alcohol. Now, he talks to thousands of youth and parents with the goal of breaking the stigma clouding mental illness. He shares his journey here. *Support the Dartmouth-Hitchcock campaign which John Broderick leads*: https://www.dartmouth-hitchcock.org/about/react-awareness-campaign (also contains the 5-signs campaign). Data mentioned in the episode can be found at: https://www.healthaffairs.org/doi/10.1377/hlthaff.2016.0011 https://www.cdc.gov/childrensmentalhealth/data.html

We sit down with SafeSpace alumna Samina and talk about denial, toxic diet culture, and change-making—and how all of that comes together in the newest chapter of Samina's story at UPenn.

We interviewed Kelechi Ubozoh, a writer, mental health advocate, and public speaker. We'll cover storytelling and Kelechi's own journey as a suicide attempt survivor, racial inequity in mental health, and what to do if you or your friend are thinking about suicide. Kelechi has a large body of work in suicide prevention and published the book We've Been Too Patient in 2019. She's worked in the California mental health system for nearly a decade as well as with over 35 mental health agencies and was recently named a Steinberg Institute mental health champion. BIPOC resources mentioned in the episode: - BEAM (Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective): https://www.beam.community/. An organization dedicated to the healing, wellness, and liberation of Black and marginalized communities. - California Reducing Disparities Project: https://cultureishealth.org/. Find resources and information aimed at reducing mental health disparities for African American, Latino, Native American, Asian and Pacific Islander, and LGBTQ+ populations in California.

SafeSpace board member Kristina on loss, the importance of reaching out, and how she finds peace years later. TRIGGER WARNING: mentions of suicide

We sit down with Dr. Nadia Paredes to discuss the connection between art and mental health, art therapy's unique power, and advice on how to reap art's wellness benefits. Dr. Paredes is a licensed Art Therapist and Marital and Family Therapist, as well as the current treasurer of the American Art Therapy Association. TRIGGER WARNING: mentions of anxiety and schizophrenia

High school senior Sophia talks remote learning, having sensory processing disorder, and her love of journaling as a wellness strategy.

Co-founders Susan and Liesl take us way back, chronicling SafeSpace's journey from the glimmer of an idea to the youth-led organization it is today. Along the way, they share the power of stories, what they love most about the SafeSpace community, and their future plans. TRIGGER WARNING: mentions of depression, anxiety, and eating disorders.

Bela and Anouschka talk about what you can expect on SafeSpace Stories, introduce themselves and their own stories, and explain what SafeSpace is.