Kadi McDonald: The USA, Covid, education and mental health

This week on Politics from the Moon we caught up with political consultant and activist, Kadi McDonald from Ohio in the United States of America. Kadi talks to us about life in the United States following the election of President Biden, how Covid continues to affect life and the education system in the US and how mental health, whilst now being talked about at a national level, still has a long way to go to overcome stigma.

Kadi talks candidly about her passion for helping mental health Not for Profit sector organisations, how she personally is affected my mental health issues and what spurred her into a life of political consultancy and activism.

If you would like to learn more about the work of Kadi McDonald you can find more info on her website at: www.kadimcdonald.com

If you have been effected by anything talked about in this episode, Politics from the Moon strongly urges you to reach out and talk with a healthcare provider, friend, family or loved one. Below are some crisis lines and mental health organisations who are happy to talk:

Australia
Lifeline (24 Hr crisis line) 131 114
Beyond Blue (Mental Health and wellbeing org) 1300 224 636
Black Dog Institute: https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/emergency-help/
Blue Knot Foundation Helpline (formerly ASCA Professional Support Line) 1300 657 380, 9am-5pm AEST / 7 days a week.

UK 

• Mind UK (https://www.mind.org.uk/need-urgent-help/using-this-tool) 0300 123 3393
  
  
• Call 116 123 to talk to Samaritans, or email: [e-mail] for a reply within 24 hours
• Text "SHOUT" to 85258 to contact the Shout Crisis Text Line, or text "YM" if you're under 19

If you're under 19, you can also call 0800 1111 to talk to Childline. The number will not appear on your phone bill.

New Zealand
Need to talk? Free call or text 1737 any time for support from a trained counsellor 

• Need to talk? (1737 – free call or text)
• The Depression Helpline (0800 111 757)
• Healthline (0800 611 116)
• Lifeline (0800 543 354)
• Samaritans (0800 726 666)
• Youthline (0800 376 633)
• Alcohol Drug Helpline (0800 787 797)
• What's Up? - Helpline for children and young people (0800 942 8787)

Lifeline – 0800 543 354 (0800 LIFELINE) or free text 4357 (HELP)

Suicide Crisis Helpline – 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)

United States of America (Nation-wide contacts)
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (24/7, free and confidential support)
Tel: [phone]

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) text NAMI to 741 741

Mental Health America: if you or someone you know is in crisis, please call 911, go to the nearest emergency room, call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) to reach a 24-hour crisis center, or text MHA to 741741 at the Crisis Text Line.

You can also call 1-800-985-5990 or text “TalkWithUs” to 66746 at the SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline. Trained crisis workers will listen to you and direct you to the resources you need.