Show Notes

What does mental health look like when someone has lost everything?

In this inspiring episode of Why Not Me?, Tony Mantor sits down with Weanne Estrada, Mental Health Specialist with ADRA International (Adventist Development and Relief Agency), to explore the realities of humanitarian work in more than 120 countries around the world.

Together they discuss how mental health extends far beyond therapy, why culture matters in treatment, the resilience of refugees, and how communities recover after unimaginable loss. Wynne shares powerful stories from disaster zones, refugee camps, and conflict areas while offering hope through compassion, dignity, and human connection.

This conversation challenges common misconceptions about refugees, humanitarian aid, serious mental illness, and recovery while reminding us that every person deserves to be seen first as a human being.

Whether you're passionate about mental health, humanitarian work, autism advocacy, or simply understanding the human experience, this episode will leave a lasting impression.

In This Episode
What humanitarian mental health really looks like
Why trauma is only part of the story
The Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) model explained
Supporting refugees with dignity and respect
Cultural differences in mental health care
Serious mental illness and psychosis around the world
Building resilience after disaster and displacement
Fighting stigma through education and lived experience
The importance of community, hope, and purpose
Why recovery is often found in ordinary moments

Learn more about ADRA International at:
https://adra.org

Show Notes
What does mental health look like when someone has lost everything?
In this inspiring episode of Why Not Me?, Tony Mantor sits down with Weanne Estrada, Mental Health Specialist with ADRA International (Adventist Development and Relief Agency), to explore the realities of humanitarian work in more than 120 countries around the world.
Together they discuss how mental health extends far beyond therapy, why culture matters in treatment, the resilience of refugees, and how communities recover after unimaginable loss. Wynne shares powerful stories from disaster zones, refugee camps, and conflict areas while offering hope through compassion, dignity, and human connection.
This conversation challenges common misconceptions about refugees, humanitarian aid, serious mental illness, and recovery while reminding us that every person deserves to be seen first as a human being.
Whether you're passionate about mental health, humanitarian work, autism advocacy, or simply understanding the human experience, this episode will leave a lasting impression.
In This Episode
<ul data-start="1704" data-end="2221">
<li data-section-id="twjedi" data-start="1704" data-end="1755">What humanitarian mental health really looks like</li>
<li data-section-id="gxosey" data-start="1756" data-end="1794">Why trauma is only part of the story</li>
<li data-section-id="16yc6ge" data-start="1795" data-end="1863">The Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) model explained</li>
<li data-section-id="1lj5jmg" data-start="1864" data-end="1910">Supporting refugees with dignity and respect</li>
<li data-section-id="pc55vd" data-start="1911" data-end="1955">Cultural differences in mental health care</li>
<li data-section-id="1pik7w5" data-start="1956" data-end="2011">Serious mental illness and psychosis around the world</li>
<li data-section-id="1ysuhho" data-start="2012" data-end="2065">Building resilience after disaster and displacement</li>
<li data-section-id="5enudr" data-start="2066" data-end="2122">Fighting stigma through education and lived experience</li>
<li data-section-id="burdbs" data-start="2123" data-end="2171">The importance of community, hope, and purpose</li>
<li data-section-id="sywvon" data-start="2172" data-end="2221">Why recovery is often found in ordinary moments</li>
</ul>
Learn more about ADRA International at: <a href="https://adra.org/" data-start="2263" data-end="2279">https://adra.org</a>

Weanne Estrada:Mental Health Without Borders: How Compassion, Culture, and Community Transform Lives Worldwide

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/6b8b4eff-e61c-4466-96d2-b4750009df7c/transcript

(Show Notes)

What if addiction isn't the real problem?

In this powerful episode of Why Not Me? Embracing Autism and Mental Health Worldwide, Tony Mantor sits down with psychologist, TEDx speaker, and bestselling author Dr. Adi Jaffe to challenge everything we've been taught about addiction, recovery, trauma, and personal transformation.

Drawing from both his professional expertise and his own remarkable journey from addiction and prison to becoming a UCLA-trained psychologist, Dr. Jaffe explains why destructive behaviors often begin as attempts to survive emotional pain—not moral failures.

Together they discuss:

• Why addiction is often a response to trauma, pain, and unmet emotional needs

• The powerful role shame plays in keeping people trapped

• Why willpower alone rarely creates lasting change

• How habits are formed in the brain—and why changing them takes time

• The connection between anxiety, depression, addiction, and self-worth

• Why healing begins with understanding instead of judgment

• The importance of self-compassion during recovery

• How changing your mindset can transform your life

Whether you struggle with addiction, love someone who does, or simply want to better understand human behavior, this conversation offers practical wisdom, compassion, and hope.

If this episode speaks to you, please follow the podcast, leave a review, and share it with someone who may need encouragement today.

(Show Notes)
What if addiction isn't the real problem?
In this powerful episode of Why Not Me? Embracing Autism and Mental Health Worldwide, Tony Mantor sits down with psychologist, TEDx speaker, and bestselling author Dr. Adi Jaffe to challenge everything we've been taught about addiction, recovery, trauma, and personal transformation.
Drawing from both his professional expertise and his own remarkable journey from addiction and prison to becoming a UCLA-trained psychologist, Dr. Jaffe explains why destructive behaviors often begin as attempts to survive emotional pain&mdash;not moral failures.
Together they discuss:
&bull; Why addiction is often a response to trauma, pain, and unmet emotional needs
&bull; The powerful role shame plays in keeping people trapped
&bull; Why willpower alone rarely creates lasting change
&bull; How habits are formed in the brain&mdash;and why changing them takes time
&bull; The connection between anxiety, depression, addiction, and self-worth
&bull; Why healing begins with understanding instead of judgment
&bull; The importance of self-compassion during recovery
&bull; How changing your mindset can transform your life
Whether you struggle with addiction, love someone who does, or simply want to better understand human behavior, this conversation offers practical wisdom, compassion, and hope.
If this episode speaks to you, please follow the podcast, leave a review, and share it with someone who may need encouragement today.
<hr data-start="2170" data-end="2173">

Dr. Adi Jaffe: The Truth About Addiction, Trauma, Shame, and Breaking Free

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/8693fa51-d2c8-44a1-ad44-b47500030491/transcript

Show Notes

What happens when the diagnosis changes, the struggle feels endless, and hope seems impossible to find?

In this episode of Why Not Me?, Tony Mantor sits down with writer and journalist Meg LeDuc to discuss her personal journey through depression, anxiety, psychosis, suicide attempts, self-harm, recovery, and ultimately healing.

Meg shares how years of misdiagnosis, hospitalization, and mental health challenges shaped her life—and how determination, faith, support, and the right treatment helped her rebuild it.

This honest conversation explores what it feels like to live with serious mental illness, the realities of psychosis, the impact of stigma, and why recovery is possible even after the darkest moments.

Whether you're living with mental illness, supporting someone who is, or simply looking to better understand the human experience, this episode offers insight, compassion, and hope.

In This Episode:
Meg's journey through anxiety, depression, and psychosis
The challenges of diagnosis and finding effective treatment
Living with suicide ideation and surviving multiple attempts
Self-harm, shame, and learning to heal
The role of faith during recovery
Relationships and mental illness
How stigma affects people living with serious mental illness
The difference between receiving help and choosing healing
Recovery, resilience, and rebuilding a meaningful life
Why psychosis is not a life sentence

Memorable Quote"It's a piece of the puzzle. It's not the entire puzzle. There's so much more to me than illness."

About Meg LaDuke

Meg LaDuc is a Detroit-based freelance journalist, creative writer, and contributor to mental health publications. Drawing from both lived experience and professional reporting, she writes about mental health, disability, recovery, and resilience. She is currently working on a memoir chronicling her journey through serious mental illness and recovery

.

https://tonymantor.com
https://Facebook.com/tonymantor
https://instagram.com/tonymantor
https://twitter.com/tonymantor
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intro/outro music bed written by T. Wild
Why Not Me the World music published by Mantor Music (BMI)

 

Show Notes
What happens when the diagnosis changes, the struggle feels endless, and hope seems impossible to find?
In this episode of Why Not Me?, Tony Mantor sits down with writer and journalist Meg LeDuc to discuss her personal journey through depression, anxiety, psychosis, suicide attempts, self-harm, recovery, and ultimately healing.
Meg shares how years of misdiagnosis, hospitalization, and mental health challenges shaped her life&mdash;and how determination, faith, support, and the right treatment helped her rebuild it.
This honest conversation explores what it feels like to live with serious mental illness, the realities of psychosis, the impact of stigma, and why recovery is possible even after the darkest moments.
Whether you're living with mental illness, supporting someone who is, or simply looking to better understand the human experience, this episode offers insight, compassion, and hope.
In This Episode:
<ul>
<li>Meg's journey through anxiety, depression, and psychosis</li>
<li>The challenges of diagnosis and finding effective treatment</li>
<li>Living with suicide ideation and surviving multiple attempts</li>
<li>Self-harm, shame, and learning to heal</li>
<li>The role of faith during recovery</li>
<li>Relationships and mental illness</li>
<li>How stigma affects people living with serious mental illness</li>
<li>The difference between receiving help and choosing healing</li>
<li>Recovery, resilience, and rebuilding a meaningful life</li>
<li>Why psychosis is not a life sentence</li>
</ul>
Memorable Quote
<blockquote>"It's a piece of the puzzle. It's not the entire puzzle. There's so much more to me than illness."</blockquote>
About Meg LaDuke
Meg LaDuc is a Detroit-based freelance journalist, creative writer, and contributor to mental health publications. Drawing from both lived experience and professional reporting, she writes about mental health, disability, recovery, and resilience. She is currently working on a memoir chronicling her journey through serious mental illness and recovery
.
https://tonymantor.com https://Facebook.com/tonymantor https://instagram.com/tonymantor https://twitter.com/tonymantor https://youtube.com/tonymantormusic intro/outro music bed written by T. Wild Why Not Me the World music published by Mantor Music (BMI)
&nbsp;

Meg LeDuc: Journey Through Serious Mental Illness:Living Beyond the Diagnosis

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/c3bf8929-14c9-4cc8-a5cf-b4740189ca12/transcript

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Show Notes

What happens when the systems designed to help people with serious mental illness become the very barriers preventing care?

In Part 2 of this important conversation, Tony Mantor welcomes Dr. Aaron Meyer and Anne Marie Council for a candid discussion about the failures and possibilities within America's mental health system. Together, they explore why so many individuals spend years cycling through emergency rooms, jails, homelessness, and crisis without ever receiving the long-term treatment they truly need.

The conversation examines the gap between policy and practice, the importance of housing with wraparound support, and why accountability—not simply creating more laws—may be the key to meaningful change.

This episode challenges listeners to rethink assumptions about involuntary treatment, homelessness, public safety, and compassion while offering practical ways communities can advocate for a better behavioral health system.

If you've ever wondered why so many people fall through the cracks, this conversation provides insight, hope, and a call to action. 

In This Episode
Why the "10-year loop" delays treatment for countless people living with serious mental illness
How emergency rooms and jails have become default mental health providers
The importance of continuous support instead of one-time stabilization
Why existing mental health laws are often not fully implemented
The need for more psychiatric beds and comprehensive treatment options
How housing combined with wraparound services can change lives
The role families and caregivers play in advocating for better care
Why stigma continues to prevent people from receiving help
The importance of investigative journalism and public accountability
Practical ways listeners can become advocates for change in their own communities
Why empathy and person-centered care must become the foundation of mental health policy

Key Takeaway

Serious mental illness is not a moral failing or a criminal issue—it is a healthcare issue. Until communities invest in accessible treatment, supportive housing, and systems that prioritize people over bureaucracy, too many individuals will continue cycling through crisis instead of recovery.

Connect with Why Not Me?

If this conversation resonated with you, please follow, rate, and share the podcast. Every listener helps expand understanding, reduce stigma, and create meaningful conversations about autism and mental health around the world.











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intro/outro music bed written by T. Wild
Why Not Me the World music published by Mantor Music (BMI)

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2117852/fan_mail/new">Send us Fan Mail</a>Show NotesWhat happens when the systems designed to help people with serious mental illness become the very barriers preventing care?In Part 2 of this important conversation, Tony Mantor welcomes Dr. Aaron Meyer and Anne Marie Council for a candid discussion about the failures and possibilities within America&apos;s mental health system. Together, they explore why so many individuals spend years cycling through emergency rooms, jails, homelessness, and crisis without ever receiving the long-term treatment they truly need.The conversation examines the gap between policy and practice, the importance of housing with wraparound support, and why accountability—not simply creating more laws—may be the key to meaningful change.This episode challenges listeners to rethink assumptions about involuntary treatment, homelessness, public safety, and compassion while offering practical ways communities can advocate for a better behavioral health system.If you&apos;ve ever wondered why so many people fall through the cracks, this conversation provides insight, hope, and a call to action. In This Episode<ul><li>Why the &quot;10-year loop&quot; delays treatment for countless people living with serious mental illness</li><li>How emergency rooms and jails have become default mental health providers</li><li>The importance of continuous support instead of one-time stabilization</li><li>Why existing mental health laws are often not fully implemented</li><li>The need for more psychiatric beds and comprehensive treatment options</li><li>How housing combined with wraparound services can change lives</li><li>The role families and caregivers play in advocating for better care</li><li>Why stigma continues to prevent people from receiving help</li><li>The importance of investigative journalism and public accountability</li><li>Practical ways listeners can become advocates for change in their own communities</li><li>Why empathy and person-centered care must become the foundation of mental health policy</li></ul>Key TakeawaySerious mental illness is not a moral failing or a criminal issue—it is a healthcare issue. Until communities invest in accessible treatment, supportive housing, and systems that prioritize people over bureaucracy, too many individuals will continue cycling through crisis instead of recovery.Connect with Why Not Me?If this conversation resonated with you, please follow, rate, and share the podcast. Every listener helps expand understanding, reduce stigma, and create meaningful conversations about autism and mental health around the world. https://tonymantor.com https://Facebook.com/tonymantor https://instagram.com/tonymantor https://twitter.com/tonymantor https://youtube.com/tonymantormusic intro/outro music bed written by T. Wild Why Not Me the World music published by Mantor Music (BMI)

Dr Aaron Meyer and Ann Marie Council part 2: Breaking the Cycle: Why Serious Mental Illness Deserves Better Than Jail or the Streets

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/c2d19ce4-9ea6-4ab9-a51c-b473016dd8da/transcript

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In this important episode of Why Not Me? Embracing Autism and Mental Health Worldwide, Tony Mantor sits down with Dr. Alan Meyer, psychiatrist and Behavioral Health Officer for the City of San Diego Fire-Rescue Department, and Ann Marie Council, retired Senior Deputy City Attorney and mental health policy advisor, for an in-depth discussion about the challenges facing today's mental health system. 

Together, they explore why so many individuals with serious mental illness fall through the cracks, the disconnect between policy and real-world implementation, and how communities can better support those in crisis before tragedy strikes.

The conversation covers assisted outpatient treatment, California's CARE Act, healthcare burnout, homelessness, autism, schizophrenia, and the urgent need for earlier intervention and stronger collaboration between healthcare providers, lawmakers, first responders, and community organizations.

This is the first of a two-part series that shines a light on the people working to create meaningful change in mental healthcare.

In this episode you'll learn:
Why mental health and physical health must be treated together
The barriers preventing people from receiving timely care
How policy often fails frontline healthcare workers
The role of cities, counties, and states in behavioral health services
Why assisted outpatient treatment remains difficult to access
How technology and AI could improve mental health access
The importance of prevention instead of waiting for crisis
Why community partnerships are essential for lasting solutions
How burnout is affecting healthcare professionals and first responders
What changes could transform the future of mental healthcare

Our Guests

Dr. Alan Meyer
Psychiatrist at the University of California, San Diego
Behavioral Health Officer for the City of San Diego Fire-Rescue Department
Specialist in complex behavioral health and high-utilizer emergency response systems

Ann Marie Council
Retired Senior Deputy City Attorney for the City of San Diego
Founding Partner and Mental Health Policy Advisor at Quarter Turn Strategies
Advocate for legislative reform and improved mental health policy

Key Takeaway

Real change begins when healthcare, government, first responders, and communities stop working in silos and start working together. Early intervention, compassionate care, and practical policy reforms can save lives and restore hope for individuals and families navigating serious mental illness.

If this conversation inspires you, follow the show, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who believes mental health deserves greater understanding and action.

#MentalHealth #Autism #BehavioralHealth #Psychiatry #HealthcarePolicy #EarlyIntervention #SeriousMentalIllness #WhyNotMePodcast #TonyMantor #MentalHealthAwareness #Homelessness #CommunityCare

https://tonymantor.com
https://Facebook.com/tonymantor
https://instagram.com/tonymantor
https://twitter.com/tonymantor
https://youtube.com/tonymantormusic
intro/outro music bed written by T. Wild
Why Not Me the World music published by Mantor Music (BMI)

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2117852/fan_mail/new">Send us Fan Mail</a>In this important episode of Why Not Me? Embracing Autism and Mental Health Worldwide, Tony Mantor sits down with Dr. Alan Meyer, psychiatrist and Behavioral Health Officer for the City of San Diego Fire-Rescue Department, and Ann Marie Council, retired Senior Deputy City Attorney and mental health policy advisor, for an in-depth discussion about the challenges facing today&apos;s mental health system. Together, they explore why so many individuals with serious mental illness fall through the cracks, the disconnect between policy and real-world implementation, and how communities can better support those in crisis before tragedy strikes.The conversation covers assisted outpatient treatment, California&apos;s CARE Act, healthcare burnout, homelessness, autism, schizophrenia, and the urgent need for earlier intervention and stronger collaboration between healthcare providers, lawmakers, first responders, and community organizations.This is the first of a two-part series that shines a light on the people working to create meaningful change in mental healthcare.In this episode you&apos;ll learn:<ul><li>Why mental health and physical health must be treated together</li><li>The barriers preventing people from receiving timely care</li><li>How policy often fails frontline healthcare workers</li><li>The role of cities, counties, and states in behavioral health services</li><li>Why assisted outpatient treatment remains difficult to access</li><li>How technology and AI could improve mental health access</li><li>The importance of prevention instead of waiting for crisis</li><li>Why community partnerships are essential for lasting solutions</li><li>How burnout is affecting healthcare professionals and first responders</li><li>What changes could transform the future of mental healthcare</li></ul>Our GuestsDr. Alan Meyer<ul><li>Psychiatrist at the University of California, San Diego</li><li>Behavioral Health Officer for the City of San Diego Fire-Rescue Department</li><li>Specialist in complex behavioral health and high-utilizer emergency response systems</li></ul>Ann Marie Council<ul><li>Retired Senior Deputy City Attorney for the City of San Diego</li><li>Founding Partner and Mental Health Policy Advisor at Quarter Turn Strategies</li><li>Advocate for legislative reform and improved mental health policy</li></ul>Key TakeawayReal change begins when healthcare, government, first responders, and communities stop working in silos and start working together. Early intervention, compassionate care, and practical policy reforms can save lives and restore hope for individuals and families navigating serious mental illness.If this conversation inspires you, follow the show, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who believes mental health deserves greater understanding and action.#MentalHealth #Autism #BehavioralHealth #Psychiatry #HealthcarePolicy #EarlyIntervention #SeriousMentalIllness #WhyNotMePodcast #TonyMantor #MentalHealthAwareness #Homelessness #CommunityCarehttps://tonymantor.com https://Facebook.com/tonymantor https://instagram.com/tonymantor https://twitter.com/tonymantor https://youtube.com/tonymantormusic intro/outro music bed written by T. Wild Why Not Me the World music published by Mantor Music (BMI)

Dr Aaron Meyer and Ann Marie Council: Bridging the Mental Health Gap: Policy, Psychiatry, and the Fight for Early Intervention

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/895ffbe0-4c02-4fdf-9108-b47100fe1fb8/transcript

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We talk with John Rolls about the Gremlin Club’s Sunday open mic in Camarthen and how it grows from a rehearsal night into a welcoming community where people leave their troubles at the door. 

We dig into what real inclusion looks like for autism, mental health, and disability when the room treats everyone as equal and still makes space for what people need. 
• how the Gremlin Club open mic starts as a Welsh Factor practice night 
• why the night becomes about community building over competition 
• John stepping in to run it after Elise’s bowel cancer diagnosis 
• building confidence for nervous newcomers through crowd support 
• making space for autistic singers and people with mental health challenges 
• handling disability and access needs while keeping the same respect for everyone 
• why the event is not branded as karaoke and how the format keeps it fun 
• filming for nostalgia and feedback while choosing not to live stream 
• word-of-mouth promotion and small grassroots marketing efforts 
If this kind of conversation matters to you, follow the show so you don't miss what comes next. 




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intro/outro music bed written by T. Wild
Why Not Me the World music published by Mantor Music (BMI)

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2117852/fan_mail/new">Send us Fan Mail</a>We talk with John Rolls about the Gremlin Club’s Sunday open mic in Camarthen and how it grows from a rehearsal night into a welcoming community where people leave their troubles at the door. We dig into what real inclusion looks like for autism, mental health, and disability when the room treats everyone as equal and still makes space for what people need.  • how the Gremlin Club open mic starts as a Welsh Factor practice night  • why the night becomes about community building over competition  • John stepping in to run it after Elise’s bowel cancer diagnosis  • building confidence for nervous newcomers through crowd support  • making space for autistic singers and people with mental health challenges  • handling disability and access needs while keeping the same respect for everyone  • why the event is not branded as karaoke and how the format keeps it fun  • filming for nostalgia and feedback while choosing not to live stream  • word-of-mouth promotion and small grassroots marketing efforts  If this kind of conversation matters to you, follow the show so you don&apos;t miss what comes next.  https://tonymantor.com https://Facebook.com/tonymantor https://instagram.com/tonymantor https://twitter.com/tonymantor https://youtube.com/tonymantormusic intro/outro music bed written by T. Wild Why Not Me the World music published by Mantor Music (BMI)

John Rolls: What If Inclusion Worked Better Than Quotas

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We sit with author Jerri Clark as he explains how severe mental illness can create a “gone but not gone” grief that families carry in silence. 

We talk about ambiguous loss, why closure often never comes, and how to keep living with love and meaning even when the outcome is out of our control. 

• Jerri’s story of losing his son through psychosis, system failures, and suicide 
• What ambiguous loss means and why the ambiguity is unfixable 
• The guilt families feel when they grieve someone still living 
• Naming the losses: relationship, future, safety, predictability 
• Coping as a nonlinear process that does not deliver resolution 
• Learning to live with grief without letting it become your only identity 
• “This is not my fault” as a practical starting point 
• Adjust mastery and revising attachment when you cannot control outcomes 
• What readers can expect from the book’s “do now” reflections and exercises 
• Why community, empathy, and support networks matter for healing 

If this kind of conversation matters to you, follow the show so you don't miss what comes next. 




https://tonymantor.com
https://Facebook.com/tonymantor
https://instagram.com/tonymantor
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https://youtube.com/tonymantormusic
intro/outro music bed written by T. Wild
Why Not Me the World music published by Mantor Music (BMI)

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2117852/fan_mail/new">Send us Fan Mail</a>We sit with author Jerri Clark as he explains how severe mental illness can create a “gone but not gone” grief that families carry in silence. We talk about ambiguous loss, why closure often never comes, and how to keep living with love and meaning even when the outcome is out of our control.  • Jerri’s story of losing his son through psychosis, system failures, and suicide  • What ambiguous loss means and why the ambiguity is unfixable  • The guilt families feel when they grieve someone still living  • Naming the losses: relationship, future, safety, predictability  • Coping as a nonlinear process that does not deliver resolution  • Learning to live with grief without letting it become your only identity  • “This is not my fault” as a practical starting point  • Adjust mastery and revising attachment when you cannot control outcomes  • What readers can expect from the book’s “do now” reflections and exercises  • Why community, empathy, and support networks matter for healing  If this kind of conversation matters to you, follow the show so you don&apos;t miss what comes next.  https://tonymantor.com https://Facebook.com/tonymantor https://instagram.com/tonymantor https://twitter.com/tonymantor https://youtube.com/tonymantormusic intro/outro music bed written by T. Wild Why Not Me the World music published by Mantor Music (BMI)

Jerri Clark: Ambiguous Loss and When Mental Illness Steals Someone You Love

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/99c8ec61-9e79-4c82-85ab-b47100fe1fa2/transcript

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We sit down with former U.S. Representative Patrick Kennedy to get specific about what a real national mental health strategy looks like and why the current system wastes money while people end up isolated, hospitalized, incarcerated, or living on the streets. 

We dig into integrated care, schools-based prevention, telehealth, and the rising risks of AI so listeners walk away with practical policy ideas and a clear sense of what needs to change next. 

• the need for a national blueprint that links housing, healthcare, and community supports 
• aligning financial incentives so integrated care becomes the default 
• why siloed budgets drive higher costs in ER use, incarceration, and homelessness 
• reducing stigma by integrating mental health into standard medical care 
• building mental health literacy through routine screening and early help in schools 
• expanding effective therapy access through telehealth and proper reimbursement 
• fixing cross-state licensure barriers to match patients with the right clinicians 
• rebuilding social connection as a core mental health intervention 
• using AI for personalized care while guarding against isolation and lost agency 
• preparing for AI-driven job disruption and the mental health impact of lost purpose 

If you know someone who has a story to share, tell them to contact us at why notme.world. 




INTRO/OUTRO Music: T. Wild

Mantor Music BMI




https://tonymantor.com
https://Facebook.com/tonymantor
https://instagram.com/tonymantor
https://twitter.com/tonymantor
https://youtube.com/tonymantormusic
intro/outro music bed written by T. Wild
Why Not Me the World music published by Mantor Music (BMI)

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2117852/fan_mail/new">Send us Fan Mail</a>We sit down with former U.S. Representative Patrick Kennedy to get specific about what a real national mental health strategy looks like and why the current system wastes money while people end up isolated, hospitalized, incarcerated, or living on the streets. We dig into integrated care, schools-based prevention, telehealth, and the rising risks of AI so listeners walk away with practical policy ideas and a clear sense of what needs to change next.  • the need for a national blueprint that links housing, healthcare, and community supports  • aligning financial incentives so integrated care becomes the default  • why siloed budgets drive higher costs in ER use, incarceration, and homelessness  • reducing stigma by integrating mental health into standard medical care  • building mental health literacy through routine screening and early help in schools  • expanding effective therapy access through telehealth and proper reimbursement  • fixing cross-state licensure barriers to match patients with the right clinicians  • rebuilding social connection as a core mental health intervention  • using AI for personalized care while guarding against isolation and lost agency  • preparing for AI-driven job disruption and the mental health impact of lost purpose  If you know someone who has a story to share, tell them to contact us at why notme.world.  INTRO/OUTRO Music: T. WildMantor Music BMI https://tonymantor.com https://Facebook.com/tonymantor https://instagram.com/tonymantor https://twitter.com/tonymantor https://youtube.com/tonymantormusic intro/outro music bed written by T. Wild Why Not Me the World music published by Mantor Music (BMI)

Patrick Kennedy: Part 2 : A Real Mental Health Strategy

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/b2dad862-0609-47c0-b8e7-b47100fe1fde/transcript

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We talk with former U.S. representative Patrick Kennedy about why mental health parity still fails in practice and what it takes to make insurers and employers cover care that actually works. 

We keep coming back to one idea: real change happens when we build power and design a system that rewards early help, long-term outcomes, and community support. 
• Barriers to full enforcement of the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act 
• Why payers respond to penalties more than long-term value 
• How lobbying, regulation and legal appeals weaken consumer protections 
• Building political power by organizing families and breaking silos 
• The business case for early intervention and recovery supports 
• Why supportive housing and community services can beat revolving-door crisis care 
• The 90-90-90 by 2033 framework for screening, evidence-based care and recovery 
• Lessons from the Community Mental Health Act and the cost of dividing communities 
• Moving from over-medicalized solutions to integration, purpose and connection 
If you know someone who has a story to share, tell them to contact us at why notme.world.

INTRO/OUTRO Music: T. Wild

Mantor Music BMI




https://tonymantor.com
https://Facebook.com/tonymantor
https://instagram.com/tonymantor
https://twitter.com/tonymantor
https://youtube.com/tonymantormusic
intro/outro music bed written by T. Wild
Why Not Me the World music published by Mantor Music (BMI)

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2117852/fan_mail/new">Send us Fan Mail</a>We talk with former U.S. representative Patrick Kennedy about why mental health parity still fails in practice and what it takes to make insurers and employers cover care that actually works. We keep coming back to one idea: real change happens when we build power and design a system that rewards early help, long-term outcomes, and community support.  • Barriers to full enforcement of the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act  • Why payers respond to penalties more than long-term value  • How lobbying, regulation and legal appeals weaken consumer protections  • Building political power by organizing families and breaking silos  • The business case for early intervention and recovery supports  • Why supportive housing and community services can beat revolving-door crisis care  • The 90-90-90 by 2033 framework for screening, evidence-based care and recovery  • Lessons from the Community Mental Health Act and the cost of dividing communities  • Moving from over-medicalized solutions to integration, purpose and connection  If you know someone who has a story to share, tell them to contact us at why notme.world.INTRO/OUTRO Music: T. WildMantor Music BMI https://tonymantor.com https://Facebook.com/tonymantor https://instagram.com/tonymantor https://twitter.com/tonymantor https://youtube.com/tonymantormusic intro/outro music bed written by T. Wild Why Not Me the World music published by Mantor Music (BMI)

Patrick Kennedy: Part 1: We Can Fix Mental Health Care If We Build Power

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/3b77b40f-a71c-48a5-bd5f-b47100fe1fed/transcript

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We sit down with Colorado State Senator Judy Amabile to connect one family’s painful path through serious mental illness to the laws that decide whether people get treatment or get pushed into homelessness and the courts. 

We talk honestly about psychosis, stigma, and the hard policy choices behind civil commitment, Medicaid rules, and building enough beds to stop the cycle.
• Her son’s schizoaffective disorder and the road to diagnosis
• Early signs like paranoia and thought broadcasting
• Family anger and confusion turning into empathy
• NAMI Family-to-Family as a bridge to advocacy
• Why mental illness feels like the “no casserole disease”
• The jump from lived experience to writing policy
• Civil commitment and AOT as a contested safety net
• Competency waitlists and why they don’t equal treatment
• The “churn” between jail, hospitals, and the street
• Medicaid changes that allow longer inpatient stays
If you know someone who has a story to share, tell them to contact us at why notme.world.
One last thing, spread the word about why not me.




MUSIC INTRO/OUTRO: T. Wild

MANTOR MUSIC BMI




https://tonymantor.com
https://Facebook.com/tonymantor
https://instagram.com/tonymantor
https://twitter.com/tonymantor
https://youtube.com/tonymantormusic
intro/outro music bed written by T. Wild
Why Not Me the World music published by Mantor Music (BMI)

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2117852/fan_mail/new">Send us Fan Mail</a>We sit down with Colorado State Senator Judy Amabile to connect one family’s painful path through serious mental illness to the laws that decide whether people get treatment or get pushed into homelessness and the courts. We talk honestly about psychosis, stigma, and the hard policy choices behind civil commitment, Medicaid rules, and building enough beds to stop the cycle. • Her son’s schizoaffective disorder and the road to diagnosis • Early signs like paranoia and thought broadcasting • Family anger and confusion turning into empathy • NAMI Family-to-Family as a bridge to advocacy • Why mental illness feels like the “no casserole disease” • The jump from lived experience to writing policy • Civil commitment and AOT as a contested safety net • Competency waitlists and why they don’t equal treatment • The “churn” between jail, hospitals, and the street • Medicaid changes that allow longer inpatient stays If you know someone who has a story to share, tell them to contact us at why notme.world. One last thing, spread the word about why not me. MUSIC INTRO/OUTRO: T. WildMANTOR MUSIC BMI https://tonymantor.com https://Facebook.com/tonymantor https://instagram.com/tonymantor https://twitter.com/tonymantor https://youtube.com/tonymantormusic intro/outro music bed written by T. Wild Why Not Me the World music published by Mantor Music (BMI)

Sen Judy Amabile: When Psychosis Hits, Families Need A System That Works

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/8bfba8f2-b818-4802-8215-b47100fe2026/transcript

Autism, Mental Health, Advocacy & Human Stories.

Embracing Autism/Mental Health Worldwide.

Autism is a complex neurodevelopmental condition affecting millions worldwide, characterized by challenges in social interaction, communication, and repetitive behaviors. Despite increasing recognition, there remains a lack of understanding and awareness about the condition. 

Mental health encompasses a range of conditions impacting emotional, psychological, and social well-being, affecting millions globally. It includes disorders like anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and psychosis. Schizophrenia is marked by symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking, while psychosis involves a loss of contact with reality, often presenting with similar symptoms. 

Despite growing awareness, stigma and misconceptions about mental health, particularly schizophrenia and psychosis, persist, underscoring the need for greater understanding and support. 

From celebrating neurodiversity to breaking down stigma, we create a safe space for listeners to learn, grow, and feel seen. 

Whether you're on the spectrum, a caregiver, or an advocate, join our global community for inspiring conversations and empowering resources that uplift and unite. 

Tune in to embrace understanding, healing, and hope worldwide! 

Together, we can create a more informed and compassionate society for individuals with Autism and Mental Illness.

Autism, Mental Health, Advocacy &amp; Human Stories.Embracing Autism/Mental Health Worldwide.Autism is a complex neurodevelopmental condition affecting millions worldwide, characterized by challenges in social interaction, communication, and repetitive behaviors. Despite increasing recognition, there remains a lack of understanding and awareness about the condition.&nbsp;Mental health encompasses a range of conditions impacting emotional, psychological, and social well-being, affecting millions globally. It includes disorders like anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and psychosis. Schizophrenia is marked by symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking, while psychosis involves a loss of contact with reality, often presenting with similar symptoms.&nbsp;Despite growing awareness, stigma and misconceptions about mental health, particularly schizophrenia and psychosis, persist, underscoring the need for greater understanding and support.&nbsp;From celebrating neurodiversity to breaking down stigma, we create a safe space for listeners to learn, grow, and feel seen.&nbsp;Whether you're on the spectrum, a caregiver, or an advocate, join our global community for inspiring conversations and empowering resources that uplift and unite.&nbsp;Tune in to embrace understanding, healing, and hope worldwide!&nbsp;Together, we can create a more informed and compassionate society for individuals with Autism and Mental Illness.

Tony Mantor: Why Not Me ?

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