Talk About It! Suicide Prevention with Cara McNulty

In this episode, Heather interviews Cara McNulty, DPA, President, Aetna Behavioral Health, a CVS Health Company. As a population health scientist, Cara is particularly passionate about our adolescents, teens, and young adults, supporting and advocating for them, and educating people of all ages on the importance of mental health well-being. Mental well-being is at the core of our health; separating physical from mental health only increases stigma.Heather and Cara discuss:* Suicide prevention and dispelling the myth that talking about suicide with your kids increases the risk. The reality is talking about suicide REDUCES the risk - having open conversations helps our adolescents/teens/young adults feel heard.* Asking hard questions takes practice, but it doesn't need to be perfect. Remember to embrace the messiness!* The importance of educating ourselves on mental health wellbeing."Without mental health well-being, physical health is impaired."Resources from this episode:* The Youth Risk Behavior Survey* Mental Health Awareness Guide for Parents and Caregivers (Aetna/CVS Health)* Suicide Prevention (CVS Health)* Mental Health Awareness Guide for Young Adults (Aetna/CVS Health)SPECIAL SPONSOR OF THIS EPISODE: THERAPPYDownload and try it for free today! Using the Cognitive Behavioral approach, Therappy teaches healthy coping tools for anxiety, panic attacks, insomnia, and so much more. You learn to understand your behavioral patterns and change them in a healthier way!Connect with Heather: Solutions listed on her website: https://chrysalismama.com For the Language of LGBTQIA+ E-book, visit: https://learnwith.chrysalismama.com/book  Digital Coming Out Course for Parents - Text Ally to 55444 to get Heather's "My kid just came out and I'm freaking out!" Toolkit!

Om Podcasten

Do you have a child, teen, or young adult who is lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or any other beautiful sexual orientation or gender identity? Do you feel alone in your effort to support them on their journey or navigate your own? Heather Hester from Chrysalis Mama is here to transform the conversation around loving, raising, and empowering an LGBTQIA+ teenager as well as being a supportive ally to all LGBTQIA+ people. Since 2017, when her son embraced his sexual orientation as a young gay man, Heather and her family have felt every emotion, and have experienced dozens of situations ranging from heartwarming and humorous to terrifyingly life-threatening. She and her husband initially felt alone and overwhelmed, moving her to want to support others traveling a similar path. She discusses taboo topics and works to erase stigmas surrounding the coming out process and parenting an LGBTQIA+ teen. Heather's shows are both interview and solo offering a wide range of fascinating guests as well as her own episodes where she shares wisdom, stories, and strategies. Sitting in the top 1.5% of all podcasts, Just Breathe is relatable, educational, and warm. Heather's approach is based on four pillars - to Embrace, Educate, Empower, and Love - and most of all, to reinforce to all LGBTQ people, their families, and their allies that they are not alone!