Spread the light: Mid-year look back at some memorable insights
Spread the light: Mid-year look back at some memorable insights
Because stigma festers in the dark and scatters in the light
Dear community,
Today, we’d love to reflect back on key moments from the first half of the year’s Spread the light with Dr Devika B content. Join us in recalling some key pearls of wisdom from our incredible guests. Revisit each conversation in full using the links below.
💫Spread the light. First-person accounts of living with mental illness that aim to dispel stigma and stereotypes and instead, spread hope and light — also a YouTube channel and podcast called Spread the light with Dr Devika B (wherever you listen to podcasts, including Apple and Spotify).
Please subscribe to the YouTube channel that hosts video versions of these conversations, where you will find highlight clips not found elsewhere, in addition to the full conversations.
To help others find us easily, please take a few seconds to rate us on Spotify and Apple podcasts.
This month’s new Spread the light episode, in honor of Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, is coming to you on Monday, July 31. Due to some technical glitches that we’re ironing out, it’s just slightly delayed from our usual cadence of the last Wednesday of the month. We’re looking forward to sharing it with you shortly.
Wishing you light,
Dr Devika Bhushan
Spread the light with Dr Devika B: Mid-year review
Find the full conversations below:
Andrew Barr's journey with OCD: write-up | audio | video
Brandon Staglin's journey with schizophrenia: write-up | audio | video
Busting some bipolar myths on World Bipolar Day: write-up | audio | video
Emi Nietfeld’s journey with foster care and PTSD: write-up | audio | video
Andy Dunn's journey with bipolar I disorder: write-up | audio | video
Geo Custodio's journey as a non-binary transfemme person: write-up | audio | video
Superpowers gained from mental illness journeys
“I think my mental health journey has unquestionably changed who I am for the better. The process has given me a level of courage, resilience, and an unusually high level of comfort with discomfort.”
Andrew Barr, venture capitalist and person with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
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“Neurodiversity, when contained, can be an asset, too… Let's talk about Alexander Hamilton. Let's talk about Vincent Van Gogh.”
Andy Dunn, entrepreneur, parent, and person with bipolar I disorder
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“…[M]y superpower is I understand my journey, my difficulties — and I know every single person I meet is going through something or has gone through something, you know? It allows me to be a little bit more patient, a little bit more understanding.”
Geo Custodio, creative strategist, non-binary transfemme person
Setting the record straight on mental health myths
“I really want to end this myth that being healthy or recovered or successful means not being affected by the journey or by the bad things that might have happened.”
Emi Nietfeld, author, former foster youth, and person with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
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“I have two healthy, happy children. And as a psychiatrist, I have worked with many individuals with bipolar disorder — and it is absolutely possible to manage this condition and be a loving and healthy parent.”
Joanna Jarecki, MD, psychiatrist, parent, and person with bipolar disorder
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“…[A] schizophrenia diagnosis is not a death sentence. It doesn't mean you're sidelined for the rest of your life… Recovery can happen… there is still a ton of potential in life, even with a schizophrenia diagnosis… I actually wrote a song about recovery from schizophrenia: it's called Horizons Left to Chase. It's all about the potential that remains in life or even is it amplified in life after a severe mental illness diagnosis.”
Brandon Staglin, One Mind President and person with schizophrenia
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“Mental health conditions are physiologically real, like diabetes. They are not due to weakness of character, moral failings, or lack of willpower.”
How to live well with a mental illness
“First and foremost, save up for yourself. Whether it's time, money, or just emotional space for yourself, you need to have space for yourself… Second, you can’t do it alone. You have to allow yourself to be supported by others. Tear those walls down… Allow yourself to be vulnerable with others.”
Geo Custodio, creative strategist, non-binary transfemme person
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“In college, I read a book that inspired me to make getting enough sleep my number one priority. Even if it meant getting a bad grade on an assignment, I’d have to do it.
I remember I had this buzz in my head: ‘I want to die. I want to die. I want to die.’
And I didn't really realize that it was there until I slept for 10 hours and then woke up: ‘Wow, where did that go? How do I feel so much more okay today than I felt yesterday?’
That was the first time that I — in years — remembered not feeling suicidal.”
Emi Nietfeld, author, former foster youth, and person with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
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“I meditate every morning. It quiets my mind and gets me open to the possibilities of the day. And that gives me a sense that anything is possible.”
Brandon Staglin, One Mind President and person with schizophrenia