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January 6, 2025 45 mins

Molly interviews Adena, the mother of a severely depressed young man. Trigger Warning: Suicide, Severe Depression

Depression, like most serious illnesses, is best treated within a community of care including friends, therapists, artists, physicians and loved ones. Together Adena and I discuss what that community of care could look like, and the difficulties she faced finding support for herself and her son Jordan. 

Adena emphasizes the importance of habit and routine for depressed young people, as well as finding community and discouraging isolation. She also recommends cultivating things that can bring meaning. Whether it's a class, a job or a pet, this can do a lot to combat hopelessness.

I hope this discussion will help to validate the struggles of friends, family members, and especially the caretakers of mentally ill people like me.

Take a moment to listen to the music of Adena's son Jordan Brooks. It can be found at jordanbrooksmusic.com, and on all the streaming services.

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Further Reading:
Body Dysmorphic Disorder can be found here and here
Dialectical Behavior Therapy can be found here and here
An article on the costs of Special Education is here

Support us and join our community at https://www.patreon.com/ketamineinsights or at https://mollydunn.substack.com/ 

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You can also find all of our episodes on YouTube and on our website https://ketamineinsights.com/ 

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, please get help. In the US, you can dial 988. You are never all alone.

Remember to advocate for yourself, and never ration your joy.

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