Compassionate Conversations

Jelena Jones of Racine County Behavioral Health shares an overview of the available mental health services in Racine County as well as the current status of mental health in our communities, including challenges and current trends.

In this episode of Compassionate Conversations , we sit down with two veterans who bravely share their journeys with PTSD, recovery, and the critical role of peer support in the healing process. Through their honest and powerful lived experience, they discuss the realities of military service, the challenges of living with PTSD, and the impact of peer support services for veterans. We explore the...

Episode Description : In this episode of Compassionate Conversations, we sit down with Mark Flower, a dedicated veteran and peer support specialist for those who have served in the military. Join us as we explore Mark’s personal journey through military service, his transition to civilian life, and the ways Mark continues to support the veteran community. We discuss the challenges veterans face to...

En éste episodio especial de Compassionate Conversations, hablamos con Keydi Bognar, de WWBIC, sobre la necesidad de romper con el estigma sobre salud mental en la comunidad Hispana. Keydi comparte con nosotros su experiencia personal y familiar, como inmigrante y recipiente de DACA y de cómo la terapia se ha convertido en una actividad familiar. Keidy es también la presentadora de "More than...

In this episode, we have a conversation with Keidy Bognar, from WWBIC, about the need to break the stigma on mental health and mental illness. Keidy shares her experience and that of her family as an immigrant, and DACA recipient, and how therapy has become a family affair. Keydi is also a TEDx Talk presenter of "More than a DREAMer", you can check her presentation here: ⁠https://youtu.b...

The Inclusive Bean is a new Coffee Shop with an important mission in the Racine, WI area. A place "...where individuals of all abilities can have a sense of belonging, be challenged appropriately, and be supported in wherever they may be going next in life." In this episode, we talk to Amelia Fahnrich, Co-owner, and Helena Fahnrich, Manager, about the experience of inclusion of people wh...

May is Mental Health Awareness Week, and May 5th - 11th is Children's Mental Health Acceptance Week. To discuss the critical issue of Children's Mental Health, we have invited Julie Hueller, Manager of the Racine Collaborative on Children's Mental Health, to share important information, guide what signs to look for in children, and discuss mental health. You don't want to miss this...

Jelena Jones is the Administrator of Behavioral Health Services for Racine County. In this episode, Jelena and Carlos have a very informative conversation about the status of mental health services in Racine County and the County's efforts to fight the current opioid epidemic. More information on the Human Services Department is here: https://www.racinecounty.com/departments/human-services Mor...

March is "Self-Harm Awareness Month" Our guest, Kevin Wahl, is a Licensed Professional Counselor and NAMI Racine County Board Member In this episode, we talk about Self-Harm or NSSI (Non-Suicidal Self-Injury), some possible reasons why people engage in this behavior, and what can be done to shift to a healthier coping mechanism. For more information on this Self-Harm Awareness Month, cli...

Welcome to the first episode of our second season! We start this season by having a conversation with Melissa (Work Order Day Coordinator) and Marshall (Clubhouse Participant) about the Clubhouse Philosophy, their mission, and how this program can empower people living with mental illness to achieve a successful and independent life. For more information on the Racine Friendship Clubhouse, go here...

In this episode, we're having a conversation with Amanda Busack from the Racine County Health Division about resources and strategies to strengthen our mental health during the holidays. You can access the resources mentioned in this episode here: ManTherapy.org  988 – call, text, chat ( 988lifeline.org ) Wisconsin Warmline (Mental Health America) - 534-202-5438 Racine County Crisis Line: 262-...

In today's episode, we're having a conversation with Zack Zdroik, Executive Director of Veterans Outreach of Wisconsin, about what 9-LINE [(262) 456-7059] is and what resources are available for Veterans in our state. For more information on 9-LINE and to learn more about " Veterans Outreach of Wisconsin ," click here: https://vowvillages.com/9-line-2/ "If you are in immedia...

In this episode, we have a conversation with Luann Simpson, long-time and now-retired NAMI Racine County staff member and mental health advocate, about how we all can advocate for a more compassionate society that accepts and includes those who live with a mental illness and ends the stigma on mental illness and mental health, and provides the resources needed for a successful recovery. Please fee...

In this episode, we are having a conversation with the staff members of the LGBT Center of Southeast Wisconsin about the rates of suicide among LGBTQ+ youth and what we can do, as a community, to prevent it.

Today, we bring you a special episode recorded on August 29th, just before school started. This is the second part of a podcast collaboration with the Racine Video Production Workshop, a Racine Unified School District program. In this episode, I have the pleasure of having Sheri Hess, Outreach Coordinator at NAMI Racine County, as co-host, and we have the pleasure of talking to Pamela and Sawyer,...

In this episode, we're having a conversation with Mary Buchacklian, Human Resources Specialist and NAMI Racine County Board member, about what type of accommodations can be made for employees living with mental illness, how to create a "mental health culture" at the workplace and the importance of keeping open communication with employers about mental health issues.

July is Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, and in this episode, along with Sha'Boris Mays, we explore the particular challenges faced by ethnic communities in the US, as well as ways to overcome these challenges. Sha'Boris is a mental health and addiction care therapist working with children, adolescents, adults, and couples with various mental, emotional, behavioral, and addiction di...

June is ⁠#PrideMonth⁠, and on this episode of Compassionate Conversations, we are talking to Barb Farrar, Executive Director of ⁠The LGBT Center of SE Wisconsin⁠, about the intersection of mental health and the LGBTQIA+ community, clarifying some key concepts, exploring the challenges the community faces, and what can we do to better support the members of the community. ⁠#youarenotaloneracine⁠ ⁠#...

In this episode, we are having a conversation with Harley Godowski, a Therapist at Mindfulnest Counselling, LLC , specializing in Maternal Mental Health, about how to make the practices of self-compassion and self-forgiving part of our personal process as a way of growth. Harley also has a Tik-Tok account named @Justamothertherapist, where she talks about compassion freshly and simply. If you'...

This is the third and final part of our conversation with Maria Bishop ( Breath of Courage ) and Scott Kinderman ( BeLeaf Survivors ). In the final part of this episode, we talk about when the healing process starts, what to do after the “trauma membrane” rips out, the consequences of doing and not doing the healing work, and some recommendations for those supporting survivors of sexual abuse. Tha...

In the second part of our conversation with Maria Bishop ( Breath of Courage⁠ ) and Scott Kinderman ( ⁠BeLeaf ), we talk about the benefits of support groups and therapy, the prevalence, and the main manifestations of trauma on survivors of sexual assault.

This episode is the first part of a conversation with Maria Bishop, therapist and founder of " Breath of Courage ," a non-profit organization that uses education, therapy, and creative arts to promote, guide and walk through deep healing and hope with survivors of trauma, and Scott Kinderman, survivor, advocate and Board Member of BeLeaf , a non-profit that seeks to provide a safe and co...

Today’s episode is a double feature.  In the first part, we will be chatting with Bridget Munson, Executive Director of NAMI Racine County, about the organization, its vision, and ways in which we all can help create a more compassionate community. In the second part of our conversation, we'll chat with Sheri Hess, Outreach Coordinator for NAMI Racine County, about mental illness, how to appr...