Today we talk with crisis counselor David Dicken and discuss how to navigate challenging emotions. Find out tips and tools on how to support individuals who are going through a difficult situation. Learn healthy habits that create a safe space to foster open discussion and trust when handling challenging topics. 

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Ed speaks with Varun Rishi, data analytics leader and founder of incourage.ai. We dive into the intricacies of A.I. and how the mental health industry may look different in the coming years due to this game changing technology. 

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Life coach Hina Kalhoro joins the podcast as someone with lived experience to explain easy ways that parents can prioritize their wellbeing in the midst of the responsibilities of raising a family with a special needs child.

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We welcome Jennifer Lewis, special events manager for NAMI OC and the manager of our largest fundraiser of the year, the 5K Walk taking place Saturday August 26th. Find out how this is more than just a fundraiser it is a place to build community. 

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It's Okay to Feel now has a new host, Edward Portillo, and even new theme music! Ed is stepping in for our previous host, Craig Nemeth. In this new episode, Steve interviews Ed as he shares his mental health journey.

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This week we have a special guest from San Luis Obispo, Tom Buckley. We discuss his relationship with mental health and recovery while touching on important topics within the community. 

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This week we have a special guest with us, founder of Tour De Recovery, Cork Snider. Cork joins us again this year to tell us about how the tour went the last year and what to look forward to this ride. 

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This week we discuss two crisis intervention resources: The OC WarmLine and Be Well's crisis response unit. These are great resources to find help if you are experiencing a crisis and don't know what to do.

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This week we highlight our CARE Together forums with Ed.

He is part of the NAMI Orange County team and we discussed the importance of spotting dysfunction in a faith based community.

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This week we talk about the importance of sleep and how to use your sleep pattern as an indicator for your mental health. 

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This week we discuss some myths and stigma surrounding violence among those who suffer from mental illness.

We talk about the connection between a violent past and mental illness and try to disconnect the common belief that most people that suffer from mental illness tend to be more violent than others.

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This week Steve interviews Craig about his story.

We talk about his struggles with grief, loss, addiction, depression and anxiety. He highlights key parts of his story where change started to happen and how it has led to his success today. 

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This week we discuss a story by Emily Pearl Kingsley called
"Welcome to Holland." 

It is about finding yourself in a place you didn't expect to be and changing your expectation to find the beauty of where you are at. We talk about our experiences as a family member and from a peer's perspective.

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This week we go in-depth on another one of our Family to Family class topics about "Taking Care of the Caregiver"☻ We touch on key tips for success in making sure to keep yourself healthy and happy while having a loved one with a mental illness.

Family to Family (F2F) is a no-cost, 12-week educational program for loved ones of those living with a mental health condition (over 18) to improve their coping and problem-solving abilities.

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This week we discuss one of the main topics from our Family to Family class.

Letting go is all about how to let go while still caring for your loved one that is struggling with a mental health condition. We talk about boundaries and ways to be supportive without fixing.

Family to Family (F2F) is a no-cost, 12-week educational program for loved ones of those living with a mental health condition (over 18) to improve their coping and problem-solving abilities.

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This week we talk about the upcoming NAMIWalk on Nov 19th at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, CA. Our Walk Coordinator, Cam, is our guest this episode!

A morning of fun, entertainment, exercise and connecting to end the stigma and continue the conversation around mental health.

Walk Website: www.namiwalks.org/orangecounty
Hope to see you there!! ☻

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This week we bring together how connection has been a big part of our conversations over the past year.

We touch on the Walk and our Peer Connector program.
These are two great ways to get connected with people that understand you and can help with any struggle you may have.

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This week we talk about suicide prevention month.

It is important to not just communicate with people in your life but to connect with them. We talk about the difference between communication and connection and how to create successful connections. Steve discusses the new NAMI OC Reach In Campaign for September. For more details, visit our website: www.namioc.org.

Have you taken the #ReachInOC Challenge yet?

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This episode we discuss our upcoming NAMIWalk on November 20th.

Steve and Craig break down a little bit of the history and importance of this event. We appreciate you listening and hope we will see you at the Walk. 

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On this new episode of It's Okay to Feel, we are meeting the new hosts Craig Nemeth and Steve Pitman.

They talk about how they got involved with NAMI Orange County and what is to come for the new season!

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