Light Up The Darkness

S2 Ep 7: Unpacking Suicide - Prevention and Resources (Part 2)

In this two-part episode, host Erin Edwards is joined by a friend of the show, Thérèse Kempf, LCSW to discuss suicide.  In the wake of the passing of Stephen "Twitch" Boss by suicide, Thérèse helps us to understand that we need to examine the journey that leads up to suicide to support people struggling with suicide ideation.Helpful Resources if you or someone you know is struggling with intolerable feelings:Call or text 988 to the National Suicide and Crisis LifelineWhen people call, text, or chat 988, they will be connected to trained counselors that are part of the existing Lifeline network. These trained counselors will listen, understand how their problems are affecting them, provide support, and connect them to resources if necessary.Safehorizon Domestic Violence HotlineOur hotline advocates offer personalized, non-judgmental support. They can talk to you about your safety, provide information about resources in your community, and connect you to our programs and services.Our confidential hotlines provide one-on-one support including:– Crisis counseling– Safety planning– Assistance with finding Domestic Violence Shelters– Information about resourcesAssistance is available in any languageNYC WellNYC Well is your connection to free, confidential mental health support. Speak to a counselor via phone, text, or chat and get access to mental health and substance use services, in more than 200 languages, 24/7/365.Suicide Support Groupshttps://afsp.org/find-a-support-group/https://allianceofhope.org/Support the show Follow LUTD Podcast on Instagram Shop LUTD Merch

S2 Ep 6: Unpacking Suicide - How can we understand it better and support our people? (Part 1)

In this two-part episode, host Erin Edwards is joined by a friend of the show, Thérèse Kempf, LCSW to discuss suicide.  In the wake of the passing of Stephen "Twitch" Boss by suicide, Thérèse helps us to understand that we need to examine the journey that leads up to suicide to support people struggling with suicide ideation. Helpful Resources if you or someone you know is struggling with intolerable feelings:Call or text 988 to the National Suicide and Crisis LifelineWhen people call, text, or chat 988, they will be connected to trained counselors that are part of the existing Lifeline network. These trained counselors will listen, understand how their problems are affecting them, provide support, and connect them to resources if necessary.Safehorizon Domestic Violence HotlineOur hotline advocates offer personalized, non-judgmental support. They can talk to you about your safety, provide information about resources in your community, and connect you to our programs and services.Our confidential hotlines provide one-on-one support including:– Crisis counseling– Safety planning– Assistance with finding Domestic Violence Shelters– Information about resourcesAssistance available in any languageNYC WellNYC Well is your connection to free, confidential mental health support. Speak to a counselor via phone, text, or chat and get access to mental health and substance use services, in more than 200 languages, 24/7/365.Suicide Support Groupshttps://afsp.org/find-a-support-group/https://allianceofhope.org/Support the show Follow LUTD Podcast on Instagram Shop LUTD Merch

S2, Ep5: Spiritualism & Mental Health Care with Hakim Pitts

In this episode, I was joined by the amazing light that is - Hakim Pitts (they/them). And we have an illuminating and beautiful conversation about their work and origins as a provider of spirit care.More about Hakim: Hakim is a multi-award-winning, Black genderqueer creative and scholar crafting at the nexus of visual culture, community health, social justice, & spiritual activism. Utilizing this interdisciplinary practice, their mission is twofold: to resource people, communities, and organizations with theoretical and pragmatic tools to create, sustain, and manifest their best; and to use fine arts and media to (re)craft works that carefully explore notions of power, identity, ritual, embodiment, and formations of Black religious social and political life.You can find Hakim:Instagram (@keemhasthedreem)Twitter (@KeemHastheDream)Email them: Hakim@DreamWithHakim.comSupport the show Follow LUTD Podcast on Instagram Shop LUTD Merch

Bonus: Instagram Follower Q&A with Ebony Medas, LMHC

This is an addendum to Episode 4, "Can Energy Healing Benefit Mental Health?"My guest Ebony Medas, LMHC, answers questions that were submitted by LUTD Podcast Instagram subscribers. Support the show Follow LUTD Podcast on Instagram Shop LUTD Merch

S2, Ep 4: Can Energy Healing Benefit Mental Health?

In today's episode my guest, Ebony Medas, LMHC, discusses Reiki, IET (Integrated Energy Therapy), and how they can be a huge benefit to our mental health care. *Make sure to listen to the bonus episode after this, to hear Ebony answer specific questions that came in from our Instagram subscribers.Mentioned in this episode:Ebony's upcoming Energy Healing training which you can register for here: https://minka.as.me/ietlevel1Minka Brooklyn, who offer community Reiki sessions at an accessible rate: https://www.minkabrooklyn.com/Heal Haus - Ebony is a therapist here and it is a Black-owned wellness space that combines diverse healing modalities and practitioners under one roof to provide people with an inclusive space focused on holistic health and wellness: https://www.healhaus.com/Support the show Follow LUTD Podcast on Instagram Shop LUTD Merch