Suicide Prevention: You're Not Alone

Chief Aaron Seibert retired from the United States Navy after serving 20 years of honorable service. He is currently serving as the Southern California Chapter, Veteran Coordinator for the Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Foundation of America and joins the podcast to talk about veterans mental health. 

For more information about the San Bernardino County Department of Behavioral Health, visit SBCounty.gov/DBH.

Ulysses Valor is a local mental health advocate using his passion and business to help young men recognize the importance of expressing their emotions and focusing on their mental health. Ulysses shares his story and what inspired him to do his work. 

June is Fatherhood Awareness Month, and Rodney Barrios from the San Bernardino County Preschool Services Department shares information about the Fatherhood FIRE Program and the importance of a father figure in children's lives.

For more information about the San Bernardino County Department of Behavioral Health, visit SBCounty.gov/DBH.

Hear about the importance of mentorship and how it can positively impact the mental health of  mentees and mentors as Juan Ochoa, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Inland Empire Match Engagement and Enrichment Manager, and Christian Dauz, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Inland Empire Enrollment & Recruitment Specialist, join as guests of the podcast. Plus, Juan and Christian share meaningful stories of impact on youth and the importance of male mentors as DBH celebrates Men’s Health Week. 

Later in the episode, Dr. Christopher Schreur, Behavioral Health Associate Medical Director, provides stats about men’s mental health and provides information on how to combat the stigma and assist men in seeking help when needed.

For more information about the San Bernardino County Department of Behavioral Health, visit https://wp.sbcounty.gov/dbh/ 

For more information about the San Bernardino County Department of Behavioral Health, visit SBCounty.gov/DBH.

Stan Collins, co-founder of Directing Change, has worked in the suicide prevention field for more than 20 years after his friend died by suicide in high school. Hear a powerful episode about how youth are engaged in talking about mental health and suicide prevention, and get practical tips on how you can start the conversation. 

Stan also shares how Directing Change helps equip youth to have mental health and suicide prevention conversations through creative outlets. 

For more information about the San Bernardino County Department of Behavioral Health, visit SBCounty.gov/DBH.

Happy Mental Health Month! In this episode, hear about the importance of workplace wellness, setting boundaries, and self-care. Get practical tips and information from Dr. Ashley Zucker, Assistant Area Medical Director for San Bernardino County Area for Kaiser Permanente.

Don't forget to register for May Mental Health Month events, hosted by the San Bernardino County Department of Behavioral Health at CelebrateMHM.com.

For more information about the San Bernardino County Department of Behavioral Health, visit SBCounty.gov/DBH.

In 2018, Theresa Clower's son, Devin, passed away from a drug overdose. To work through her grief, Theresa took up portrait work and started drawing her son's portrait. After completing Devin’s portrait, she was inspired to find others who lived and died like her son. Theresa then founded the INTO LIGHT project, an exhibition that puts a human face on the disease of addiction through hand-drawn portraits and written narratives.

Theresa joins the podcast, along with Barbara Francois, INTO LIGHT Project Assistant Director and Narrative Writer, to talk more about the project and changing the conversation about drug addiction.

The California INTO LIGHT project exhibition, sponsored by DBH, is on display in the Anthropology Museum at California State University, San Bernardino through June 10, 2023. For more information, visit https://intolightproject.org/.

For more information about San Bernardino County Department of Behavioral Health’s Substance Use Disorder Services, visit https://wp.sbcounty.gov/dbh/sudrs/ or call the 24-Hour Substance Use Disorder Helpline at (800)968-2636. 

For more information about the San Bernardino County Department of Behavioral Health, visit SBCounty.gov/DBH.

In this episode, we're keeping it real with Chris Chavez as he shares his story of recovery from alcohol and benzodiazepine dependency. Listen to this inspiring story as Dr. Jonathan Avalos, DBH Associate Medical Director, joins the podcast as guest host.

For more information about San Bernardino County Department of Behavioral Health's  Substance Use Disorder Services, visit https://wp.sbcounty.gov/dbh/sudrs/ or call the 24-Hour Substance Use Disorder Helpline at (800)968-2636.

For more information about the San Bernardino County Department of Behavioral Health, visit SBCounty.gov/DBH.

Dr. Rishi Parikh, Associate Medical Director for the Department of Behavioral Health who specializes in child, adolescent and adult psychiatry, shares information about navigating relationships with our loved ones and friends; the rising numbers of people experiencing loneliness; and how to talk to a loved one if you have a mental illness.

For more information about the San Bernardino County Department of Behavioral Health, visit https://sbcounty.gov/dbh.

For more information about the San Bernardino County Department of Behavioral Health, visit SBCounty.gov/DBH.

It's African American Mental Health Awareness Week, a week designed to expand understanding of mental health issues among the African American/Black population, reduce stigma and discrimination related to mental illness, and promote culturally responsive service delivery. 

In this new episode, hear about mental health in African American communities, the challenges and stigmas that can contribute to African American mental health access, and steps to take to help further the conversation about mental health in African American communities.  

The episode features perspectives from Dr. Gwen Dowdy-Rodgers, Community Development Specialist with Pacific Clinics and Co-chair of DBH’s African American Awareness subcommittee, as well as Daphne Hawkins, Founder, and President of The LOVE Program, an organization that aids in the advancement of young women of color at risk in high school and throughout college. Plus, Tricina Edwards, DBH Nurse Manager, shares information about some of the barriers African Americans face that affect their decisions to seek mental health care.

Register for the Know the Signs event taking place on Friday, Feb. 17 from 4-7 p.m. at the San Bernardino Unified School District Professional Development Center Building.

For more information about the San Bernardino County Department of Behavioral Health, visit SBCounty.gov/DBH.

Resilient and Real is back with an all-new season! As we start the new year, people tend to set New Year's resolutions and get discouraged when they do not reach their goals. In this episode, CycleBar Lead Instructor Melissa Murray joins the podcast to share her journey, provide great motivation, and talk about shifting the mindset of setting fitness goals and creating healthy habits that benefit our mental health.

Plus, DBH Associate Medical Director Dr. David Block ends the episode with educational information about eating disorders.

For more information about the San Bernardino County Department of Behavioral Health, visit SBCounty.gov/DBH. 

For more information about the San Bernardino County Department of Behavioral Health, visit SBCounty.gov/DBH.