
From Bullying to Mental Health Advocacy: Asianna Saragosa-Torres's Inspiring Journey
08/29/23 • 44 min
Do you ever stop to question the impact of social media on our mental health? This episode is a must-listen as we welcome Asianna Saragosa-Torres, a mental health advocate and former Miss Hawaii contestant, who unpacks the complex intersection of bullying, mental health, and advocacy. Asianna shares her personal journey, highlighting how her experiences with bullying shaped her understanding of her own mental health and propelled her to become an advocate. She also brings to light the harrowing realities of social media addresses the negative impacts social media has, and explores the potential for it to be a platform for raising mental health awareness.
This conversation is not just about the need to increase mental health awareness, especially among young people, but the tools we can employ to achieve this. Asianna's journey culminates in a message of hope and resilience, emphasizing that each one of us can play a role in destigmatizing mental health and fostering a culture of understanding, acceptance, and support.
Warnings: Talks of suicide and bullying
Follow her:
Instagram: @yafavoritelatinaa
Watch her past interviews:
KITV News
Support:
NAMI walks
Information on where you can find us.
Follow us on Instagram: @hopeologypodcast and the host @writerchristinamckelvy
To support the show, go to: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/hopeologypodcast
Disclaimer: The views reflected by any of the guests may not reflect the views of the podcast host. Some topics may be difficult for some viewers, so proceed at your own risk. This podcast does not replace psychotherapy or advice and is for entertainment purposes only.
Do you ever stop to question the impact of social media on our mental health? This episode is a must-listen as we welcome Asianna Saragosa-Torres, a mental health advocate and former Miss Hawaii contestant, who unpacks the complex intersection of bullying, mental health, and advocacy. Asianna shares her personal journey, highlighting how her experiences with bullying shaped her understanding of her own mental health and propelled her to become an advocate. She also brings to light the harrowing realities of social media addresses the negative impacts social media has, and explores the potential for it to be a platform for raising mental health awareness.
This conversation is not just about the need to increase mental health awareness, especially among young people, but the tools we can employ to achieve this. Asianna's journey culminates in a message of hope and resilience, emphasizing that each one of us can play a role in destigmatizing mental health and fostering a culture of understanding, acceptance, and support.
Warnings: Talks of suicide and bullying
Follow her:
Instagram: @yafavoritelatinaa
Watch her past interviews:
KITV News
Support:
NAMI walks
Information on where you can find us.
Follow us on Instagram: @hopeologypodcast and the host @writerchristinamckelvy
To support the show, go to: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/hopeologypodcast
Disclaimer: The views reflected by any of the guests may not reflect the views of the podcast host. Some topics may be difficult for some viewers, so proceed at your own risk. This podcast does not replace psychotherapy or advice and is for entertainment purposes only.
Previous Episode

The Role of Community in Healing and Recovery: with Hannah Carr
I want to first bring attention to the Maui fires in Kula and Lahaina that occurred last week. It just breaks my heart what is happening. The devastation is heartbreaking to observe. The locals and Kanaka Maoli are going to need financial assistance to rebuild so I have listed some places below to donate to.
https://www.hawaiicommunityfoundation.org/maui-stronghttps://www.facebook.com/groups/mauifirespets/https://mauiunitedway.org/disasterrelief-----------------------------
What would happen if we allowed ourselves to truly feel, to coexist with and acknowledge all our emotions, especially the ones we'd rather ignore? On today's episode, we explore this question with accomplished licensed professional counselor, Hannah Carr. Hannah's personal journey has its roots in an environment of addiction, and this has not only fostered her resilience, but also shaped her perspective on the human experience, mental health, and recovery.
Navigating through the complexities of mental health, addiction, and the power of connection, Hannah’s experiences offer a poignant illustration of the human journey. We touched on emotional regulation, the language of emotions, and the role of 'unfinished business' in our reactions to certain situations. Hannah also enlightened us about the importance of giving ourselves permission to feel; an essential step in processing our emotions, and the power of authenticity and vulnerability in emotional healing.
As we wind up our conversation, we delve into the fundamental principles of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. Hannah beautifully explained the importance of physiological needs and how community and connection can help meet these. The conversation took an insightful turn towards the importance of safe spaces for marginalized communities and the power of boundaries. Hannah’s personal experiences with overcoming obstacles, highlight the incredible power of authenticity and supportive communities.
Marc Brackett
https://www.marcbrackett.com/about/book-permission-to-feel/
Here is a Maslow’s overview:
https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/what-is-maslow-hierarchy-of-need
Social Media Links for Hannah Carr
http://linkedin.com/in/hannah-carr-unquera-lpc-bc-tmh-41a97868
“The opposite of addiction is connection.” Hannah Carr
Information on where you can find us.
Follow us on Instagram: @hopeologypodcast and the host @writerchristinamckelvy
To support the show, go to: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/hopeologypodcast
Disclaimer: The views reflected by any of the guests may not reflect the views of the podcast host. Some topics may be difficult for some viewers, so proceed at your own risk. This podcast does not replace psychotherapy or advice and is for entertainment purposes only.
Next Episode

The Power of Expressive Arts in Personal Transformation with Bridget.
Have you ever considered the depth of healing that art can provide? We welcome Bridget, an Expressive Arts Therapist, and owner of Expressive Arts Works, who takes us through her transformative journey and the remarkable impact of art on her personal healing. We navigate complex issues like the influence of white wellness culture and its tendency to appropriate practices from collectivistic cultures.
We further delve into the subtle shifts an expressive art practice can bring into our lives. Bridget's story doesn't stop at her becoming an Expressive Arts Therapist; she also shares her coming out story in 2018, reflecting on its profound impact and meaning on her life. We explore her awakening to social justice and healing through art and its role in her own identity.
We discuss how Bridget uses expressive arts to create more meaningful connections, facilitate change, and empower others through the sense of community and belonging that we all need and require. Community has been an ongoing theme in many of our podcasts. Listen in as we emphasize the importance of collective care for healing, and how small acts of reaching out to each other can forge a community and foster connection.
To learn more about Bridget's work and to follow her see:
@expressive_arts_work
https://linktr.ee/bhopeb
Information on where you can find us.
Follow us on Instagram: @hopeologypodcast and the host @writerchristinamckelvy
To support the show, go to: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/hopeologypodcast
Disclaimer: The views reflected by any of the guests may not reflect the views of the podcast host. Some topics may be difficult for some viewers, so proceed at your own risk. This podcast does not replace psychotherapy or advice and is for entertainment purposes only.
Hopeology - From Bullying to Mental Health Advocacy: Asianna Saragosa-Torres's Inspiring Journey
Transcript
Welcome to Obology . I'm Christina McKelvie . Today we're going to be speaking to Azeana Serra-Gosa Torres . She's a mental health advocate in the state of Hawaii and also ran for Miss Hawaii and won Miss Photogenic . She's going to be competing again in Miss Latina , hawaii soon .
Christina McKelvyShe shares her story about bullying and how
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