Mental Health and Wellness Radio

After a divorce, the sudden death of his grandmother and a near-fatal car accident, writer and comedian Brian Copeland sunk into a deep depression. His one-man show “The Waiting Period” is a humorous and dark look at Copeland’s bout with depression. The play covers 10-days Copeland waits for the arrival of a gun he plans to use for suicide. “The Waiting Period” is a follow up to his smash autobiographical play “Not a Genuine Black Man,” which holds the record for the longest running solo play in San Francisco.

Copeland hosts Bay Area television talk show “7 Live” and “The Brian Copeland Show” on KGO radio in San Francisco.

In the United States, an estimated 3 million people with severe mental illness have a 25-year shorter lifespan than the general population. Alameda County aims to eradicate this problem locally through the 10x10 Wellness Campaign. "Mental Health and Wellness Radio" host Jenee Darden speaks with the campaign's Manager Cardum Harmon.

The PEERS documentary Shine follows the lives of three East Bay youth recovering from mental health challenges caused by trauma. One is a survivor of sexual abuse, another overcame depression after being paralyzed from an armed robbery and the third youth speaks on coming to the realization in her teens that she had a mental health challenge. The entire cast speaks with Jenee Darden about youth, mental health recovery and how the community can be more supportive of young people. Guest are Markeeta Parker, a mental youth advocate, Arthur "AR" Renowitzky, a rapper and founder of the Life Goes On Foundation; and Brianna Williams, Lead TAYi Coordinator for PEERS. TAYi stands for Transitional Age Youth Initiative.

Photo credit: Jan Sturmann

(L-R)Arthur Renowitzky, Brianna Williams, Markeeta Parker

Mental Health and Wellness Radio travels to Portland, Oregon for the 26th annual Alternatives Conference. Alternatives is the oldest conference run by and for consumers (people with mental health challenges). Host Jenee Darden drops by the "Helping Our Communities Get Back On Their Financial Feet" workshop. She talks to presenter Joe Powell about how financial stability and financial literacy can make a great impact on one's wellness. Joe Powell is the executive director of the Association of Persons Affected by Addiction (APAA) in Dallas, Texas. He also serves on SAMHSA's Wellness Initiative Steering Committee.

Michael Schratter has been traveling the world on his bicycle for just over a year. The Canadian schoolteacher is cycling the globe to raise awareness about mental health stigma through his “Ride Don’t Hide”campaign. Schratter is now wrapping up his tour in Canada and expects to roll up to his Vancouver home next month. PEERS Podcast host Jenee Darden spoke with him during his stop in Montreal.

Photo of Michael Schrattter cycling in Mexico.