Dissect & Connect

Emil Morris is a Community Outreach Specialist with the Women's Resource Center of the New River Valley and helps facilitate the organization's Inclusion Council.

In our conversation, we discuss a variety of issues affecting the LGBTQ community - including the prevalence of discrimination, abuse and sexual violence that is often perpetrated against this population. Emil, who identifies as non-binary, also shares insight from her own journey of transitioning.

Resources mentioned in this episode:
Women's Resource Center of the New River Valley website: www.wrcnrv.org
GLAAD website: www.glaad.org
PFLAG website: www.pflag.org

Other recommended resources (books):
Stone Butch Blues by Leslie Feinberg
Boots of Leather, Slippers of Gold by Elizabeth Lapovsky Kennedy and Madeline Davis

Dr. Dana L. Cunningham serves as Vice-President of Community Outreach and Engagement for Black Mental Wellness, a Washington, D.C.-based group founded by clinical psychologists whose mission is to address mental health issues that are prevalent and unique to the experiences of black people.

In our conversation, Dr. Cunningham reflects upon current events around social unrest and racial injustice, as well as stigma toward mental health disorders in the black community. We also discuss health disparities, the importance of culturally competent care, and the lack of diversity among behavioral healthcare providers.

Resources mentioned in this episode:
Black Mental Wellness website - www.blackmentalwellness.com

Dr. Cunningham's book, A Day I'll Never Forget, on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Dana-L-Cunningham-Ph-D/dp/1518847587/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=A+Day+I%27ll+Never+Forget+book+by+Dana+L.+Cunningham&qid=1594227227&sr=8-1

Leanna Craig is the West Region Director with the Virginia Department of Veterans Services Virginia Veteran and Family Support Program (VDVS VVFS).

Leanna leads a regional team that monitors and coordinates behavioral health, rehabilitative, and support services for veterans, service members, families and caregivers (SMVF). She shares an overview of her program and the barriers to providing services to veterans and families in southwest Virginia.

We also discuss the most common behavioral health issues among this population and the importance of military cultural competency.

Resources mentioned in this podcast:
Virginia Department of Veterans Services website: www.dvs.virginia.gov

Upcoming Military Cultural Competency Trainings offered by VDVS VVFS: http://www.nrvcs.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/MCC-Flyer-July-Sept-2020.pdf

Leanna Craig's contact information: [email protected]

Sarah Wilson has worked for NAMI Virginia since 2009 after interning with the organization. Since that time, Sarah has served in a variety of roles with NAMI Virginia, including: Director of Adult and Family Programs, Director of Children & Youth Programs and Director of Events and Outreach. It’s fair to say that she has had her hand in almost every aspect of the organization. In 2018, Sarah was named NAMI Virginia’s Assistant Director.

In our conversation, Sarah shares her thoughts on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing social unrest. She also addresses the importance of staying connected with others and closely monitoring our own mental health. Sarah also explains why she chose a career in mental health.

Resources mentioned in this episode:
NAMI Virginia Helpline: 1-888-486-8624 (non-emergency)

NAMI Virginia Main Number: 1-8040285-8264

NAMI NRV Helpline: 1-540-585-1627 (non-emergency)

Calm app: www.calm.com

James Pritchett has been with New River Valley Community Services (NRVCS) since 2006 and has served as the agency's Executive Director since 2017. In our conversation, James shares his thoughts on a wide range of subjects, including: COVID-19, the pros and cons of telehealth, and the importance of collaboration among community agencies in meeting the needs of our most vulnerable citizens.

We also discuss the civil unrest that is currently unfolding in the U.S., Appalachian culture, and the importance of finding hope during uncertain times.

Resources for this episode:

New River Valley Community Services website

NRVCS Facebook page

NRVCS Twitter account

NRVCS YouTube Channel
 
Books:
Let's Go (So We Can Get Back): A Memoir of Recording and Discording with Wilco, Etc. by Jeff Tweedy  

Black Elk Speaks: Being the Life Story of a Holy Man of the Oglala Sioux by John G. Neihardt

Tonya Milling, Executive Director of The Arc of Virginia, has over 20 years of experience working with, and on behalf of, individuals with disabilities.

In our conversation, Tonya explains some of the many challenges for persons with disabilities and their families – including a lack of funding for essential services, as well as a shortage of providers for those services.

We also discuss the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on those with disabilities, including their heightened risk and vulnerability to the disease.

Resources mentioned in this episode:
The Arc of Virginia website: www.thearcofva.org

The Arc of the New River Valley: www.thearcnrv.org

Tina King has worked for the New River Valley Agency on Aging since 1983, and has been Executive Director since 2006. In our conversation, Tina shares an overview of her agency's programs and services and we discuss some of the unique challenges that many older adults are facing - especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Since May is Mental Health Month (and Older Americans Month), we also talk about the impact of social isolation and grief, as well as the stigma of ageism. In addition, Tina explains four keys to helping older adults with aging in place while maintaining their independence.

Resources mentioned in this episode:
New River Valley Agency on Aging website - nrvaoa.org

New River Valley Agency on Aging email - [email protected]

New River Valley Agency on Aging phone - 540-980-7720

New River Valley Agency on Aging's Facebook page - facebook.com/nrvaoa/

Aging in Place web page/workbook - http://nrvaoa.org/aging-in-place/

2020 New River Valley Resource Guide for Aging in Place - http://www.nrvcs.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/New-River-Valley-Resource-Guide-2020.pdf

Emily Cook, a Registered Dietitian, owns a private practice in Pearisburg, Virginia, that specializes in one-on-one nutritional counseling. In our discussion, Emily explains how the foods we eat impact our overall well-being and she also dispels some of the common myths about what it takes to eat healthy and maintain a well-balanced diet. (Sorry, but you really can do it without ‘breaking the bank.’)

A wife and mother of three, Emily also shares tips about how to do meal planning and grocery shopping during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Resources mentioned in this episode:
Cook Nutrition, LLC website: https://cooknutritionllc.com/

Cook Nutrition, LLC on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cooknutrition
Cook Nutrition, LLC on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cooknutrition/

Learn about the five basic food groups, get recipes, and more: https://www.choosemyplate.gov/

General nutrition information (categorized by age group – toddler through elderly) all material developed and written by Registered Dietitians: http://www.eatright.org

Gail Maddox Taylor is the Director of the Office of Behavioral Health Wellness (OBHW) for the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS). In this role, Gail provides leadership in the development and implementation of comprehensive substance use disorder prevention systems at the state and community levels – including efforts to address opioids and overdose. She also oversees Virginia’s initiatives in both suicide prevention and Mental Health First Aid, as well as the State’s new Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) Initiative and Behavioral Health Disparities, including the Virginia Refugee Healing Partnership.

In our discussion, Gail explains the concept of 'behavioral health wellness' and the importance of prevention work happening throughout the Commonwealth - particularly given the social isolation being experienced during the current COVID-19 pandemic. She also shares the circumstances that led her to a career in prevention.

Resources mentioned in this episode:
Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) Office of Behavioral Health Wellness website: http://www.dbhds.virginia.gov/behavioral-health/behavioral-health-wellness

Virginia DBHDS Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/DBHDS/

Virginia DBHDS on Twitter: https://twitter.com/VirginiaDBHDS

A Guide to SAMHSA's Straegic Prevention Framework: https://www.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/20190620-samhsa-strategic-prevention-framework-guide.pdf

Gail Maddox Taylor is the Director of the Office of Behavioral Health Wellness (OBHW) for the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS). In this role, Gail provides leadership in the development and implementation of comprehensive substance use disorder prevention systems at the state and community levels – including efforts to address opioids and overdose. She also oversees Virginia’s initiatives in both suicide prevention and Mental Health First Aid, as well as the State’s new Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) Initiative and Behavioral Health Disparities, including the Virginia Refugee Healing Partnership.

In our discussion, Gail explains the concept of 'behavioral health wellness' and the importance of prevention work happening throughout the Commonwealth - particularly given the social isolation being experienced during the current COVID-19 pandemic. She also shares the circumstances that led her to a career in prevention.

Resources mentioned in this episode:
Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) Office of Behavioral Health Wellness website: http://www.dbhds.virginia.gov/behavioral-health/behavioral-health-wellness

Virginia DBHDS Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/DBHDS/

Virginia DBHDS on Twitter: https://twitter.com/VirginiaDBHDS

A Guide to SAMHSA's Straegic Prevention Framework: https://www.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/20190620-samhsa-strategic-prevention-framework-guide.pdf