May 8, 2025 • 30 mins
Community DC Host Dennis Glasgow visits with CEO for EveryMind.org Ann Mazur. EveryMind.org is a Maryland-based organization dedicated to improving mental health and well-being by providing direct services, community education, and advocacy.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:03):
Good morning, and welcome to another edition of Community DC.
I'm your host Dennis Glasgow. This morning we get a
great opportunity to talk about mental health, specifically with CEO
for every Mind and Maser. Every Mind is a Maryland
based organization dedicated to improving mental health and well being
by providing direct services, community education, and advocacy. Here's my
(00:24):
conversation with Anne. I hope you enjoyed it as much
as I did. Good morning, Anne, Good morning.
Speaker 2 (00:28):
Nice to see you. Dennis.
Speaker 1 (00:30):
Well, it's great to have you bored this first time
we've had a chance to really chat with you at length,
and I'm really looking forward to talking about every Mind
and everymind dot org. And I was saying to you
before we started our conversation with me being a dad
of a twenty two yearl who's living in Brooklyn, New
York as a budding filmmaker and her pure group in
Generation Z about what they've been through and as parents,
what we've been through with this generation and social media.
(00:52):
I am just so glad that an organization like yours
exists and and you and your team and what you're doing.
So I'm just going to be kind of gleefully talking
about all the cool things that you do, about your
programs and why you exist. But let's do this. What's
the history of every Mind? How did it start? When
did it start?
Speaker 3 (01:08):
Absolutely, and let me just add at the front too,
I'm also a parent of a twenty three year old,
a twenty eight year old, a thirty one year old, so.
Speaker 2 (01:17):
I'm right there with you, Dennis, and.
Speaker 3 (01:20):
Can chat much more about about that and those support
So to your question, every Mind was founded back in
nineteen fifty seven, and so our work focuses on mental
health and wellness across the region through direct service programs, education,
(01:42):
and partnerships with members of the community. We serve all
ages and backgrounds. We offer crisis prevention services, mental health education,
care management, and therapy. We partner with schools, other nonprofits,
local government, local businesses to ensure that mental health support
(02:07):
is accessible to everyone. It's a trusted resource and also
culturally responsive.
Speaker 2 (02:16):
And so that's the overarching of our work.
Speaker 1 (02:20):
Let's talk a little bit about the mission, because I
know that's important. It kind of describes about who you
are and what you do. But can you talk about
the mission for all of us?
Speaker 2 (02:27):
Absolutely? Absolutely?
Speaker 3 (02:29):
So, as I mentioned the organization started in nineteen fifty
seven and our mission hasn't changed much in that time period.
So we have really filed along with the needs of
the community. If we go back to like pre nineteen fifties,
you know, in the mental health space, it was asylum
(02:51):
and individuals and shackles.
Speaker 2 (02:53):
And so in the mid nineteen.
Speaker 3 (02:55):
Fifties, right around the time of our founding is when
there was a call to you know, close the asylums,
remove shackles, and really move care and services into the community.
So at that right at that time is when every
Mind was founded here in Montgomery County, Maryland, focused on
(03:18):
providing services, trainings, programming, some of which we still are
doing today to the community members, and meeting the community
members where they are and with the services that they need.
Speaker 1 (03:34):
So when it comes to the programs, i'd like you
to talk about all four and I know that we
got to be kind of succinct about this because we
have so much to cover. But there's also a twenty
four to seven call, text and chat support, which I
love that you do and is completely necessary. But can
you go over the programs for everybody just so we
can kind of get attunedable what you offer.
Speaker 3 (03:52):
Yes, We provide crisis services and support, as you mentioned
through the twenty four to seven call center.
Speaker 2 (04:01):
And I know that we'll get into a little more
detail around that.
Speaker 3 (04:05):
We provide care coordination and suicide assessment prevention with our
military veterans military community as well as their family members.
We also provide counseling services, both school based and community
(04:25):
community based counseling services, and then care management, you know,
going side by side with people, connecting them with resources,
walking that journey with them and ensuring that they have
the right care that they need.
Speaker 1 (04:39):
So I'm a latch key kid, and I grew up
in the seventies, which means I didn't know what mental
health was. I didn't have social media, there was no web.
It was just you know, rub some dirt on it
and let's get out there, right. And he didn't talk
about it or realize that there was a mental health crisis.
With that said, as you as parents now and you
have millennials and I have a generation Zeer, things have
(05:02):
changed dramatically because of social media, the web and all
the things that I had mentioned, and just the kind
of world that they live in that's on fire right now.
So there's a lot of navigation to do. I imagine
with you being at every mind you know, I'd like
you to go into what it's like maybe daily or
weekly as you work with your team and all the
different programs and the people. Because now that the stigma
(05:22):
is starting to be erased about mental awareness and health
out there, that celebrities and sports athletes and people that
have a platform are talking about it, we're getting to
a point and I imagine that you're really stoked about
this is being normalized, and I think that's really the
biggest thing. But what's it like when you're dealing with people,
it doesn't matter what age or race, or color or
(05:43):
creed that you're working with. What's it like there? I
imagine that you know it's it's intense at times, but
what is it like?
Speaker 3 (05:50):
That question is is such an important question? And to
your point, you know, one of the things across all
of our different services, right, is that personal connection. Right,
And as you said, one of the most important things
for every individual, but definitely for a youth, is to
(06:12):
have one trusted person, or for a youth to have
one trusted adult.
Speaker 2 (06:17):
Right.
Speaker 3 (06:17):
That could be a family member, it could be a
member of our staff that is working with that student.
It could be a teacher, it could be a coach. Right,
So when we think about mental health awareness and that connection,
is that something even for our staff, right, that's what
they're doing every day.
Speaker 2 (06:38):
They're they're that they're that touch.
Speaker 3 (06:40):
They're available to listen to what's going on with that
person and then to assess and connect them with resources.
And whether that's someone calling on the crisis line or
someone that's in ongoing programming with us, but it's it's
recognizing where that person is on that day, connecting with them,
(07:03):
listening to what their needs are, and then connecting them
with resources. And I think that that's the underlying component
to all of all of our work.
Speaker 1 (07:13):
And I don't know if you have any stats, and
I promise that I won't hold you to anything, but
I know I know statistically, when we start looking at
mental health and then died by suicide. You know the
numbers from the military, our young people, but even people
over the age of sixty, as I talked to our
friend Ellen Shannon from the AFSP in DC, are extraordinary
(07:34):
numbers just even in the DC in the Virginian Maryland area,
not to mention nationwide. And then you get into worldwide
and the crisis it's going on there, But do we
have any numbers to work with and are we getting
in a safer space because you guys exist and because
we can talk about it, or we still at epidemic
levels whereas just you know, it's it's out of control,
(07:54):
it's rampant, and we're doing our very best to try
and work with mental awareness and health.
Speaker 3 (07:58):
Right now, we still are epidemic levels. We really are,
and I think that our are our twenty four to
seven world has you know, continued to contribute to that.
Right there's more resources and there's more people investing in
the work and supporting people. But at the same time
(08:22):
you mentioned early on, you know, in your youth, we
didn't talk about it, right, And so I think that
one of the other pieces is that there's much more
conversation around mental health and the importance of you know,
checking in with yourself or with others, And so I
think there's a balance there. I think more people are
reaching out, but we also are seeing growing increase and demand.
(08:49):
Last year, as I mentioned, we're one of the call
centers for the for ninety eight, which is the National
suicide lifeline. We at every Mind answered over fifty thousand
calls text and chats last year. Fifty thousand. That's just
(09:10):
us one call center, you know, answering for the state
of Maryland. Also we do back up for text and
chat nationally, so there's a lot of people reaching out.
The one piece that is so important that I think
is one of the most important things.
Speaker 2 (09:31):
When people think about nine eight eight, they think about,
you know.
Speaker 3 (09:36):
Crisis, which absolutely that is that is one of the pieces.
But the other piece is the support of listening component
of nine eight eight. And of those fifty thousand contacts
that we received last year, we average resolution during that
(09:57):
call or texture chat of about ninety percent of all calls.
So there is a service there around that taking a moment,
listening to someone talking through their next steps, and a
true resource for individuals calling for themselves or calling for
(10:19):
for someone else. Right, Like if you know you have
you know, a friend or your daughter that you were
talking with and you want to, you know, call and
check in with one of our counselors to say.
Speaker 2 (10:31):
Hey, here's the conversation I had. Should I be worried?
What should I do? Right? So that's one of the pieces.
Speaker 3 (10:38):
That I really like to highlight about ninet eighty because
it's absolutely you know, crisis response intervention, but at the
same time, that support of listening component is such a
huge piece, and so by that I think we are
helping prevent so many individuals that might otherwise, you know,
(11:00):
end up in an er or right.
Speaker 1 (11:04):
You know, I'm glad you talked about this and this
some of our listeners are will in tune that I
brought up many times. I have RA and I've had
it since I was twenty one with rum and tart arthritis,
and I got it back in eighty seven. So you
can do the math. And there's my age with that said,
no internet, no social media, no education, know nothing. So
for me personally, I felt like I was an island
(11:25):
on myself. I was just by myself, isolated, very depressing.
Didn't realize I was going through a mental health crisis
and very sick. By the way, for a couple of years.
I'm okay now it's all good. Still have it, but
I'm dealing with it because of medication. But the wonderful
thing that I love about every mind in organizations like
yours and with your team, is that the acknowledgment that
(11:48):
I'm not alone, especially when it comes to mental health,
and that people can talk to other people that are
not only schooled in talking to people that are having
a crisis, but also maybe be able to rely eight
and as human beings. I know you know this intimately
and is that we all want to be able to relate,
that we're not alone in what we're suffering. And I
just love Yeah, I just love that the access is
(12:10):
there now as opposed to when I was going through
my thing allbeit different with an autoimmune disease, it's still
the same thing, folks. You know, there's a multitude of
things that can really mess with your mental health, and
that was mine and I didn't realize it at the
time because I wasn't educated and we've gone over you
(12:31):
know why I was at that point and where I
was and not getting the access to the things that
and in her team deal with now. So I just
love it. And I imagine the feedback that you get,
as brutal as it can be, for people that they
can relate and talk to other people that are going
through the same thing.
Speaker 3 (12:45):
Absolutely absolutely, And you know, our work, as I mentioned,
fans from you know, youth and elementary schools all the
way to older adults, and we see individuals from that
entire lifespan reaching out. Definitely, text in chat is something
(13:06):
that is more is utilized by our youth more. But
with the when we brought on text in chat is
another mode for visitors to reach out. There was an
assumption that, you know, won't telephone calls go down, but
(13:27):
they haven't. They've stayed steady as text in chat has
you know, grown four hundred percent over the past two years,
and our older adult communities who we see reaching out
primarily on the phones, and to your point, often it
is you know, loneliness or maybe the intersection that you
(13:53):
mentioned Dennis around physical and mental health, right and right,
they go hand in hand. It's one of the one
of the pieces around a lot of the awareness and
education piece that we like to talk about is reducing
that stigma. It's it's about health and wellness and whether
that's physical or mental health. But the integration between the two,
(14:18):
there's there's there's no there's no light between the two,
and so I think that that's one of the things
now versus maybe when you and I grew up, that
is is much different and people really you know, starting
to recognize that and talk about that, and that's just
really important.
Speaker 1 (14:36):
Yeah, I'm glad we're talking about this because it really
is important. And you know something else that I think
is just fantastic out there, as rough as it is
to hear somebody's story where they might be suicidal or
they've gone through some really dark moments, And I'm sure
you would agree with me and with your your team
and talking to people daily because celebrities and sports athletes,
(14:58):
professional athletes or college athletes, leads, politicians, actors, anybody that
has a pulpit where they have a very large audience
that can listen to them that are going through a
very difficult time mentally or even suicidal. I think it's
great that we can hear about their issues and they
(15:19):
put up on that platform because once again, you know,
to the same point you and I have been chatting
about for the last fifteen minutes, that the stigma releases itself,
it gets normalized, and it makes it easier to talk
about it. And also that person saying, ooh, if that
person that I look up to is going through the
issues that I am, there's something there, There's a connection
(15:41):
there I can talk about this and I should go
get some help. And I'm glad those things are happening,
and I'm sure you and your team are too.
Speaker 3 (15:47):
Absolutely, it's really important to your point people that have
platforms to share their stories, right, that normalizes it for everyone,
right to talk about it, you know, with family members, colleagues,
you know, friends and neighbors. And and then I would say,
(16:08):
you know, not be afraid to reach out, like we
talked about, whether it's you know, reaching out through nine
eight eight, or it's signing up for a training or
you know, an education to learn more about you know,
how do I recognize you know, signs and symptoms, you know,
(16:28):
with a family member or even with myself, And what
are the resources that are available? So it's it's one
talking about it with each other and then taking that
next step of accessing the resources or learning more about
those resources.
Speaker 1 (16:46):
I think one last thing that anam I've been talking about, folks,
is that when it comes to mental health and mental awareness,
it does not discriminate. Just because I'm at the age
I am doesn't mean that I don't have mental health issues,
or my twenty two year old doesn't, or somebody who's
in their mid thirties. Is somebody that lives you know
in Australia or is somebody that you know lives here
(17:08):
in the DNA, It doesn't matter. There's no discrimination. I
imagine as you've worked in this job and as really
educated as you and your team, I bet it just
never sees to do me as you that it really
does not discriminate at all whatsoever when it comes to
mental health, does it.
Speaker 2 (17:22):
It doesn't at all. It doesn't at all.
Speaker 4 (17:25):
And I think one of the things that always resonates
with me, and I think with anyone listening is is
just you know, normalizing the conversation, and that's really just
being intentional about you know, really.
Speaker 3 (17:43):
Asking someone you know for me to see dentists like
how are you like, how are you really right? And
just opening that conversation and that human connection.
Speaker 2 (17:54):
Is just so important and.
Speaker 3 (17:59):
Recognizing that that little connection really can form that that
bond and open the conversation for people you know to
share about how they're really feeling and recognize how you know,
you or I could support each other.
Speaker 1 (18:16):
And I always like to remind our listeners that part
of your job is running a nonprofit is breaking a
lot of neecaps out there to get money and get funded.
And I know you've got a big fat donate button
on the website that we'll give at the end of
the conversation. I know a lot of our listeners have
already googled and found you at everymind dot org. But
we'll give that a couple of times and we'll talk
a little bit more about that and donations and the
(18:37):
different ways that you can do that. But how are
you funded right now?
Speaker 3 (18:39):
We are funded through government both at the local, state,
and national level, and also through philanthropy with you know,
foundations and also individual donors as you mentioned are so
important for us, and then also corporations through sponsorships. It's
(19:03):
one of the other opportunities that we're always looking to
connect with companies that you know, want to support their
employees and their community and also become a partner with
with the organization.
Speaker 1 (19:18):
Let's talk a little bit about more of that, because
I'm curious when there's a company or a corporation that
reaches out to you and wants to work with you
not only to maybe fund you, but also maybe work
with you and their employees. I imagine there's been times
when that's happened no specifics of course, but how does
all that work?
Speaker 2 (19:33):
Absolutely right?
Speaker 3 (19:34):
So with companies, it could be you know that they
might might want to support and sponsor an event. The
other the other piece is they may have individuals that
are interested in volunteering, so volunteering with some of our
programs to help support you know, tabling at events or
(19:55):
volunteering at our five K or other events and things
like that.
Speaker 2 (20:00):
And then the other really important piece.
Speaker 3 (20:02):
And we've had many different circumstances where corporations reach out
and connect with us. Oftentimes, unfortunately, it might be after
you know, they've had a crisis at the at the
organization for support for the staff, like postvention is what
(20:23):
we would call it. But we do a lot of
training classes, several evidence based trainings like mental health fir staid,
but then trainings with companies where they've engaged us to
come out and talk with their workforce, you know, based
on you know, things that they've been seeing or surveys,
(20:45):
you know, when the HR department is trying to check
a temperature, right.
Speaker 2 (20:50):
And so our education team.
Speaker 3 (20:53):
Has partnered with many different organizations and we tailor we
have you know, basic trainings around into empathy and self
care and awareness and stigma reduction and mental health fare
STAID and they work with the organization or company to say,
(21:13):
you know, what's the reason right behind why you're reaching
out and where do you want us to focus so
they can tailor, you know, that curriculum to really ensure
that they are resonating with the audience.
Speaker 1 (21:29):
So for me, I don't need any study, I don't
need any statistics. I know that we're not better off
after COVID when it comes to our mental health. I'm
just telling you, folks, it's it's a different it's a
different world out there. I'm a people person. I get
out there, I interview people for living and and you know,
I know you're no in your head right now as
we're on teams, you can agree with that said. I
(21:51):
imagine that I don't know if the organization had to
pivot at all after COVID, but I imagine it's a
different climate out there for you and your team now
that you probably have noticed. Can you talk a little
bit about post COVID and what it's like for you
and your team out there right now?
Speaker 3 (22:05):
Absolutely a couple of things right with COVID. We know
that it was it was a time that really did
impact across the board, you know, from our young youth
all the way to older adults.
Speaker 2 (22:20):
Right that social is isolation.
Speaker 3 (22:25):
And the impact of things like that, you know, sometimes
are realized in the moment, right when we saw huge
increase in demand to our hotline and.
Speaker 2 (22:35):
Accessing our other services. But there's you know, there's a.
Speaker 3 (22:40):
Long tail on something like that that happens and you know,
trauma that people experienced, and so we are still experiencing
that uptick in concerns that people have had trying to
access services at a time where also there's a shortage
(23:00):
in providers across our country, and most recently I'll even
speak to you know, us being here in the DC
region with with shifts in employment with our federal workforce
and others we've seen you know, in years past and
(23:22):
are starting to see this now even with right if
there's job loss or concerns around the economy, or you know,
individuals unable to afford you know, basic needs that that
is one of the major underlying concerns for a lot
of mental health issues. Right if you don't have secure
(23:44):
and safe housing or you know, affordable healthcare, all of
those things contribute to that. So I would say post COVID,
we're still seeing that increase. It never dropped off, just
continued to increase. And then I think here in this region,
(24:05):
you know, as as we see shifts and individuals that
are losing their jobs are retooling, we know that job
loss and loss of security and the unknowns around you know,
inflation and things like that definitely have an immense impact.
So we are definitely seeing that through you know, increased
(24:29):
demand for services and increased demand for.
Speaker 2 (24:34):
Basic needs.
Speaker 3 (24:36):
We we talk about it as like social determinants of health, right,
but all of those pieces around you know, food and
shelter and basic needs and how those you know, uh
contribute to you know, one's mental health. And so uh
there there's you know, I think there's the post COVID piece.
(24:59):
And then I I think, you know, there's a lot
of uncertainty right now in our region.
Speaker 1 (25:04):
Yeah, there's all well, the world's on fire. I don't
know if you've heard, it's a mess out there right now.
You know the other thing too, And maybe it's because
of my access to TikTok and there's so many phones
that are recording everything, but it seems post COVID that
we've lost in general all our social skills.
Speaker 2 (25:23):
Yeah, doesn't it.
Speaker 1 (25:26):
I'm half joking about that. I'm just telling you folks,
if you pop on social media, it seems like that. Boy,
it's rough out there just working with people socially, when
you go to a restaurant or to a place of business,
or you're just driving around, it's a much different world. Now. Well, listen,
I want to do this and because we only have
about three minutes, four minutes left, and just get some
(25:48):
final thoughts. I want to make sure that everybody knows
what every Mind does, what your team does, how they
can access you the program. So maybe just recap what
we've talked about the floors.
Speaker 3 (25:59):
You absolutely so a couple of things, you know, for
any individual that needs or wants to reach out to
nine eight eight, please do that. Every Mind is one
of the call centers for the National Suicide Lifeline in
nine eight eight and emphasizing again that's also for supportive listening,
so anyone can reach out at any time free of
(26:21):
you know, it's free of charge. These services that I'm
saying are are free to community members.
Speaker 2 (26:27):
Also, our education.
Speaker 3 (26:29):
And trainings, whether it's mental health first aid or self
care or you know, working with youth. We have trainings
that are free. We've recently expanded those into Prince George's County,
so if we have any listeners in Prince George's you
can go on our website everymind dot org and access
and register for trainings. And then the other thing that
(26:53):
I would love to highlight as we approach May and
Mental Health Awareness Month, we are holding a five k
in Rockville, Maryland in the town Center on May eighteenth,
and we talked a little bit about that integration between
physical and mental health. So it's a five k run
as well as a one k walk, and then they'll
(27:15):
be a children's fun run, so it's open to all
age groups, every member of the community. So I encourage
people to consider registering to run, or we also are
seeking volunteers for that, or if you're you know with
a company that might be interesting partnering and sponsoring, that's
(27:35):
also another opportunity. But I encourage individuals to also follow
our social media it's every mind Inc. On all of
the social channels, and visit our website at everymind dot
org that you know has links to all of the
different programming and resources that we've.
Speaker 1 (27:57):
Touched on today standing and then once again, there are
also levels of donations. What are the different levels of
donations that people can do through the website.
Speaker 2 (28:05):
People can do any level they are comfortable with.
Speaker 3 (28:10):
Right, so from you know, a dollar up to the
maximum amount that someone would want to give. Every donation
makes a difference and allows us to continue to provide
our services for free so that every community member can
access them when and when, when and where they need
(28:31):
it without concern around being able to you know, afford
or access the services.
Speaker 1 (28:37):
And the point is you can do a one time
donation or you can do monthly and annual and if
you're a small, medium or large business and you're also
encouraging people to reach out that way too.
Speaker 3 (28:45):
Right, absolutely, absolutely yes, it can be one time like
you said, or monthly however, people you know want to
contribute that is always welcome and we're always for individuals
to partner with us and help spread the word and
you know, reduce the stigma by just talking about mental
(29:10):
health and wellness.
Speaker 1 (29:10):
Well said, well and from one pairent to another and
what all you and your team are doing, Thank you
so much. It's just so needed and I really appreciate it.
I know it's hard work, but it's also rewarding work,
which I appreciate that you're doing for everybody out there.
Thank you so much. I want to stay in touch
with you and see how things are going, but we
really appreciate you joining us on Community DC.
Speaker 2 (29:28):
Absolutely. Thank you, Dennis, look forward to it.
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Good morning, and welcome to another edition of Community DC.
I'm your host Dennis Glasgow. This morning we get a
great opportunity to talk about mental health, specifically with CEO
for every Mind and Maser. Every Mind is a Maryland
based organization dedicated to improving mental health and well being
by providing direct services, community education, and advocacy. Here's my
(00:24):
conversation with Anne. I hope you enjoyed it as much
as I did. Good morning, Anne, Good morning.
Speaker 2 (00:28):
Nice to see you. Dennis.
Speaker 1 (00:30):
Well, it's great to have you bored this first time
we've had a chance to really chat with you at length,
and I'm really looking forward to talking about every Mind
and everymind dot org. And I was saying to you
before we started our conversation with me being a dad
of a twenty two yearl who's living in Brooklyn, New
York as a budding filmmaker and her pure group in
Generation Z about what they've been through and as parents,
what we've been through with this generation and social media.
(00:52):
I am just so glad that an organization like yours
exists and and you and your team and what you're doing.
So I'm just going to be kind of gleefully talking
about all the cool things that you do, about your
programs and why you exist. But let's do this. What's
the history of every Mind? How did it start? When
did it start?
Speaker 3 (01:08):
Absolutely, and let me just add at the front too,
I'm also a parent of a twenty three year old,
a twenty eight year old, a thirty one year old, so.
Speaker 2 (01:17):
I'm right there with you, Dennis, and.
Speaker 3 (01:20):
Can chat much more about about that and those support
So to your question, every Mind was founded back in
nineteen fifty seven, and so our work focuses on mental
health and wellness across the region through direct service programs, education,
(01:42):
and partnerships with members of the community. We serve all
ages and backgrounds. We offer crisis prevention services, mental health education,
care management, and therapy. We partner with schools, other nonprofits,
local government, local businesses to ensure that mental health support
(02:07):
is accessible to everyone. It's a trusted resource and also
culturally responsive.
Speaker 2 (02:16):
And so that's the overarching of our work.
Speaker 1 (02:20):
Let's talk a little bit about the mission, because I
know that's important. It kind of describes about who you
are and what you do. But can you talk about
the mission for all of us?
Speaker 2 (02:27):
Absolutely? Absolutely?
Speaker 3 (02:29):
So, as I mentioned the organization started in nineteen fifty
seven and our mission hasn't changed much in that time period.
So we have really filed along with the needs of
the community. If we go back to like pre nineteen fifties,
you know, in the mental health space, it was asylum
(02:51):
and individuals and shackles.
Speaker 2 (02:53):
And so in the mid nineteen.
Speaker 3 (02:55):
Fifties, right around the time of our founding is when
there was a call to you know, close the asylums,
remove shackles, and really move care and services into the community.
So at that right at that time is when every
Mind was founded here in Montgomery County, Maryland, focused on
(03:18):
providing services, trainings, programming, some of which we still are
doing today to the community members, and meeting the community
members where they are and with the services that they need.
Speaker 1 (03:34):
So when it comes to the programs, i'd like you
to talk about all four and I know that we
got to be kind of succinct about this because we
have so much to cover. But there's also a twenty
four to seven call, text and chat support, which I
love that you do and is completely necessary. But can
you go over the programs for everybody just so we
can kind of get attunedable what you offer.
Speaker 3 (03:52):
Yes, We provide crisis services and support, as you mentioned
through the twenty four to seven call center.
Speaker 2 (04:01):
And I know that we'll get into a little more
detail around that.
Speaker 3 (04:05):
We provide care coordination and suicide assessment prevention with our
military veterans military community as well as their family members.
We also provide counseling services, both school based and community
(04:25):
community based counseling services, and then care management, you know,
going side by side with people, connecting them with resources,
walking that journey with them and ensuring that they have
the right care that they need.
Speaker 1 (04:39):
So I'm a latch key kid, and I grew up
in the seventies, which means I didn't know what mental
health was. I didn't have social media, there was no web.
It was just you know, rub some dirt on it
and let's get out there, right. And he didn't talk
about it or realize that there was a mental health crisis.
With that said, as you as parents now and you
have millennials and I have a generation Zeer, things have
(05:02):
changed dramatically because of social media, the web and all
the things that I had mentioned, and just the kind
of world that they live in that's on fire right now.
So there's a lot of navigation to do. I imagine
with you being at every mind you know, I'd like
you to go into what it's like maybe daily or
weekly as you work with your team and all the
different programs and the people. Because now that the stigma
(05:22):
is starting to be erased about mental awareness and health
out there, that celebrities and sports athletes and people that
have a platform are talking about it, we're getting to
a point and I imagine that you're really stoked about
this is being normalized, and I think that's really the
biggest thing. But what's it like when you're dealing with people,
it doesn't matter what age or race, or color or
(05:43):
creed that you're working with. What's it like there? I
imagine that you know it's it's intense at times, but
what is it like?
Speaker 3 (05:50):
That question is is such an important question? And to
your point, you know, one of the things across all
of our different services, right, is that personal connection. Right,
And as you said, one of the most important things
for every individual, but definitely for a youth, is to
(06:12):
have one trusted person, or for a youth to have
one trusted adult.
Speaker 2 (06:17):
Right.
Speaker 3 (06:17):
That could be a family member, it could be a
member of our staff that is working with that student.
It could be a teacher, it could be a coach. Right,
So when we think about mental health awareness and that connection,
is that something even for our staff, right, that's what
they're doing every day.
Speaker 2 (06:38):
They're they're that they're that touch.
Speaker 3 (06:40):
They're available to listen to what's going on with that
person and then to assess and connect them with resources.
And whether that's someone calling on the crisis line or
someone that's in ongoing programming with us, but it's it's
recognizing where that person is on that day, connecting with them,
(07:03):
listening to what their needs are, and then connecting them
with resources. And I think that that's the underlying component
to all of all of our work.
Speaker 1 (07:13):
And I don't know if you have any stats, and
I promise that I won't hold you to anything, but
I know I know statistically, when we start looking at
mental health and then died by suicide. You know the
numbers from the military, our young people, but even people
over the age of sixty, as I talked to our
friend Ellen Shannon from the AFSP in DC, are extraordinary
(07:34):
numbers just even in the DC in the Virginian Maryland area,
not to mention nationwide. And then you get into worldwide
and the crisis it's going on there, But do we
have any numbers to work with and are we getting
in a safer space because you guys exist and because
we can talk about it, or we still at epidemic
levels whereas just you know, it's it's out of control,
(07:54):
it's rampant, and we're doing our very best to try
and work with mental awareness and health.
Speaker 3 (07:58):
Right now, we still are epidemic levels. We really are,
and I think that our are our twenty four to
seven world has you know, continued to contribute to that.
Right there's more resources and there's more people investing in
the work and supporting people. But at the same time
(08:22):
you mentioned early on, you know, in your youth, we
didn't talk about it, right, And so I think that
one of the other pieces is that there's much more
conversation around mental health and the importance of you know,
checking in with yourself or with others, And so I
think there's a balance there. I think more people are
reaching out, but we also are seeing growing increase and demand.
(08:49):
Last year, as I mentioned, we're one of the call
centers for the for ninety eight, which is the National
suicide lifeline. We at every Mind answered over fifty thousand
calls text and chats last year. Fifty thousand. That's just
(09:10):
us one call center, you know, answering for the state
of Maryland. Also we do back up for text and
chat nationally, so there's a lot of people reaching out.
The one piece that is so important that I think
is one of the most important things.
Speaker 2 (09:31):
When people think about nine eight eight, they think about,
you know.
Speaker 3 (09:36):
Crisis, which absolutely that is that is one of the pieces.
But the other piece is the support of listening component
of nine eight eight. And of those fifty thousand contacts
that we received last year, we average resolution during that
(09:57):
call or texture chat of about ninety percent of all calls.
So there is a service there around that taking a moment,
listening to someone talking through their next steps, and a
true resource for individuals calling for themselves or calling for
(10:19):
for someone else. Right, Like if you know you have
you know, a friend or your daughter that you were
talking with and you want to, you know, call and
check in with one of our counselors to say.
Speaker 2 (10:31):
Hey, here's the conversation I had. Should I be worried?
What should I do? Right? So that's one of the pieces.
Speaker 3 (10:38):
That I really like to highlight about ninet eighty because
it's absolutely you know, crisis response intervention, but at the
same time, that support of listening component is such a
huge piece, and so by that I think we are
helping prevent so many individuals that might otherwise, you know,
(11:00):
end up in an er or right.
Speaker 1 (11:04):
You know, I'm glad you talked about this and this
some of our listeners are will in tune that I
brought up many times. I have RA and I've had
it since I was twenty one with rum and tart arthritis,
and I got it back in eighty seven. So you
can do the math. And there's my age with that said,
no internet, no social media, no education, know nothing. So
for me personally, I felt like I was an island
(11:25):
on myself. I was just by myself, isolated, very depressing.
Didn't realize I was going through a mental health crisis
and very sick. By the way, for a couple of years.
I'm okay now it's all good. Still have it, but
I'm dealing with it because of medication. But the wonderful
thing that I love about every mind in organizations like
yours and with your team, is that the acknowledgment that
(11:48):
I'm not alone, especially when it comes to mental health,
and that people can talk to other people that are
not only schooled in talking to people that are having
a crisis, but also maybe be able to rely eight
and as human beings. I know you know this intimately
and is that we all want to be able to relate,
that we're not alone in what we're suffering. And I
just love Yeah, I just love that the access is
(12:10):
there now as opposed to when I was going through
my thing allbeit different with an autoimmune disease, it's still
the same thing, folks. You know, there's a multitude of
things that can really mess with your mental health, and
that was mine and I didn't realize it at the
time because I wasn't educated and we've gone over you
(12:31):
know why I was at that point and where I
was and not getting the access to the things that
and in her team deal with now. So I just
love it. And I imagine the feedback that you get,
as brutal as it can be, for people that they
can relate and talk to other people that are going
through the same thing.
Speaker 3 (12:45):
Absolutely absolutely, And you know, our work, as I mentioned,
fans from you know, youth and elementary schools all the
way to older adults, and we see individuals from that
entire lifespan reaching out. Definitely, text in chat is something
(13:06):
that is more is utilized by our youth more. But
with the when we brought on text in chat is
another mode for visitors to reach out. There was an
assumption that, you know, won't telephone calls go down, but
(13:27):
they haven't. They've stayed steady as text in chat has
you know, grown four hundred percent over the past two years,
and our older adult communities who we see reaching out
primarily on the phones, and to your point, often it
is you know, loneliness or maybe the intersection that you
(13:53):
mentioned Dennis around physical and mental health, right and right,
they go hand in hand. It's one of the one
of the pieces around a lot of the awareness and
education piece that we like to talk about is reducing
that stigma. It's it's about health and wellness and whether
that's physical or mental health. But the integration between the two,
(14:18):
there's there's there's no there's no light between the two,
and so I think that that's one of the things
now versus maybe when you and I grew up, that
is is much different and people really you know, starting
to recognize that and talk about that, and that's just
really important.
Speaker 1 (14:36):
Yeah, I'm glad we're talking about this because it really
is important. And you know something else that I think
is just fantastic out there, as rough as it is
to hear somebody's story where they might be suicidal or
they've gone through some really dark moments, And I'm sure
you would agree with me and with your your team
and talking to people daily because celebrities and sports athletes,
(14:58):
professional athletes or college athletes, leads, politicians, actors, anybody that
has a pulpit where they have a very large audience
that can listen to them that are going through a
very difficult time mentally or even suicidal. I think it's
great that we can hear about their issues and they
(15:19):
put up on that platform because once again, you know,
to the same point you and I have been chatting
about for the last fifteen minutes, that the stigma releases itself,
it gets normalized, and it makes it easier to talk
about it. And also that person saying, ooh, if that
person that I look up to is going through the
issues that I am, there's something there, There's a connection
(15:41):
there I can talk about this and I should go
get some help. And I'm glad those things are happening,
and I'm sure you and your team are too.
Speaker 3 (15:47):
Absolutely, it's really important to your point people that have
platforms to share their stories, right, that normalizes it for everyone,
right to talk about it, you know, with family members, colleagues,
you know, friends and neighbors. And and then I would say,
(16:08):
you know, not be afraid to reach out, like we
talked about, whether it's you know, reaching out through nine
eight eight, or it's signing up for a training or
you know, an education to learn more about you know,
how do I recognize you know, signs and symptoms, you know,
(16:28):
with a family member or even with myself, And what
are the resources that are available? So it's it's one
talking about it with each other and then taking that
next step of accessing the resources or learning more about
those resources.
Speaker 1 (16:46):
I think one last thing that anam I've been talking about, folks,
is that when it comes to mental health and mental awareness,
it does not discriminate. Just because I'm at the age
I am doesn't mean that I don't have mental health issues,
or my twenty two year old doesn't, or somebody who's
in their mid thirties. Is somebody that lives you know
in Australia or is somebody that you know lives here
(17:08):
in the DNA, It doesn't matter. There's no discrimination. I
imagine as you've worked in this job and as really
educated as you and your team, I bet it just
never sees to do me as you that it really
does not discriminate at all whatsoever when it comes to
mental health, does it.
Speaker 2 (17:22):
It doesn't at all. It doesn't at all.
Speaker 4 (17:25):
And I think one of the things that always resonates
with me, and I think with anyone listening is is
just you know, normalizing the conversation, and that's really just
being intentional about you know, really.
Speaker 3 (17:43):
Asking someone you know for me to see dentists like
how are you like, how are you really right? And
just opening that conversation and that human connection.
Speaker 2 (17:54):
Is just so important and.
Speaker 3 (17:59):
Recognizing that that little connection really can form that that
bond and open the conversation for people you know to
share about how they're really feeling and recognize how you know,
you or I could support each other.
Speaker 1 (18:16):
And I always like to remind our listeners that part
of your job is running a nonprofit is breaking a
lot of neecaps out there to get money and get funded.
And I know you've got a big fat donate button
on the website that we'll give at the end of
the conversation. I know a lot of our listeners have
already googled and found you at everymind dot org. But
we'll give that a couple of times and we'll talk
a little bit more about that and donations and the
(18:37):
different ways that you can do that. But how are
you funded right now?
Speaker 3 (18:39):
We are funded through government both at the local, state,
and national level, and also through philanthropy with you know,
foundations and also individual donors as you mentioned are so
important for us, and then also corporations through sponsorships. It's
(19:03):
one of the other opportunities that we're always looking to
connect with companies that you know, want to support their
employees and their community and also become a partner with
with the organization.
Speaker 1 (19:18):
Let's talk a little bit about more of that, because
I'm curious when there's a company or a corporation that
reaches out to you and wants to work with you
not only to maybe fund you, but also maybe work
with you and their employees. I imagine there's been times
when that's happened no specifics of course, but how does
all that work?
Speaker 2 (19:33):
Absolutely right?
Speaker 3 (19:34):
So with companies, it could be you know that they
might might want to support and sponsor an event. The
other the other piece is they may have individuals that
are interested in volunteering, so volunteering with some of our
programs to help support you know, tabling at events or
(19:55):
volunteering at our five K or other events and things
like that.
Speaker 2 (20:00):
And then the other really important piece.
Speaker 3 (20:02):
And we've had many different circumstances where corporations reach out
and connect with us. Oftentimes, unfortunately, it might be after
you know, they've had a crisis at the at the
organization for support for the staff, like postvention is what
(20:23):
we would call it. But we do a lot of
training classes, several evidence based trainings like mental health fir staid,
but then trainings with companies where they've engaged us to
come out and talk with their workforce, you know, based
on you know, things that they've been seeing or surveys,
(20:45):
you know, when the HR department is trying to check
a temperature, right.
Speaker 2 (20:50):
And so our education team.
Speaker 3 (20:53):
Has partnered with many different organizations and we tailor we
have you know, basic trainings around into empathy and self
care and awareness and stigma reduction and mental health fare
STAID and they work with the organization or company to say,
(21:13):
you know, what's the reason right behind why you're reaching
out and where do you want us to focus so
they can tailor, you know, that curriculum to really ensure
that they are resonating with the audience.
Speaker 1 (21:29):
So for me, I don't need any study, I don't
need any statistics. I know that we're not better off
after COVID when it comes to our mental health. I'm
just telling you, folks, it's it's a different it's a
different world out there. I'm a people person. I get
out there, I interview people for living and and you know,
I know you're no in your head right now as
we're on teams, you can agree with that said. I
(21:51):
imagine that I don't know if the organization had to
pivot at all after COVID, but I imagine it's a
different climate out there for you and your team now
that you probably have noticed. Can you talk a little
bit about post COVID and what it's like for you
and your team out there right now?
Speaker 3 (22:05):
Absolutely a couple of things right with COVID. We know
that it was it was a time that really did
impact across the board, you know, from our young youth
all the way to older adults.
Speaker 2 (22:20):
Right that social is isolation.
Speaker 3 (22:25):
And the impact of things like that, you know, sometimes
are realized in the moment, right when we saw huge
increase in demand to our hotline and.
Speaker 2 (22:35):
Accessing our other services. But there's you know, there's a.
Speaker 3 (22:40):
Long tail on something like that that happens and you know,
trauma that people experienced, and so we are still experiencing
that uptick in concerns that people have had trying to
access services at a time where also there's a shortage
(23:00):
in providers across our country, and most recently I'll even
speak to you know, us being here in the DC
region with with shifts in employment with our federal workforce
and others we've seen you know, in years past and
(23:22):
are starting to see this now even with right if
there's job loss or concerns around the economy, or you know,
individuals unable to afford you know, basic needs that that
is one of the major underlying concerns for a lot
of mental health issues. Right if you don't have secure
(23:44):
and safe housing or you know, affordable healthcare, all of
those things contribute to that. So I would say post COVID,
we're still seeing that increase. It never dropped off, just
continued to increase. And then I think here in this region,
(24:05):
you know, as as we see shifts and individuals that
are losing their jobs are retooling, we know that job
loss and loss of security and the unknowns around you know,
inflation and things like that definitely have an immense impact.
So we are definitely seeing that through you know, increased
(24:29):
demand for services and increased demand for.
Speaker 2 (24:34):
Basic needs.
Speaker 3 (24:36):
We we talk about it as like social determinants of health, right,
but all of those pieces around you know, food and
shelter and basic needs and how those you know, uh
contribute to you know, one's mental health. And so uh
there there's you know, I think there's the post COVID piece.
(24:59):
And then I I think, you know, there's a lot
of uncertainty right now in our region.
Speaker 1 (25:04):
Yeah, there's all well, the world's on fire. I don't
know if you've heard, it's a mess out there right now.
You know the other thing too, And maybe it's because
of my access to TikTok and there's so many phones
that are recording everything, but it seems post COVID that
we've lost in general all our social skills.
Speaker 2 (25:23):
Yeah, doesn't it.
Speaker 1 (25:26):
I'm half joking about that. I'm just telling you folks,
if you pop on social media, it seems like that. Boy,
it's rough out there just working with people socially, when
you go to a restaurant or to a place of business,
or you're just driving around, it's a much different world. Now. Well, listen,
I want to do this and because we only have
about three minutes, four minutes left, and just get some
(25:48):
final thoughts. I want to make sure that everybody knows
what every Mind does, what your team does, how they
can access you the program. So maybe just recap what
we've talked about the floors.
Speaker 3 (25:59):
You absolutely so a couple of things, you know, for
any individual that needs or wants to reach out to
nine eight eight, please do that. Every Mind is one
of the call centers for the National Suicide Lifeline in
nine eight eight and emphasizing again that's also for supportive listening,
so anyone can reach out at any time free of
(26:21):
you know, it's free of charge. These services that I'm
saying are are free to community members.
Speaker 2 (26:27):
Also, our education.
Speaker 3 (26:29):
And trainings, whether it's mental health first aid or self
care or you know, working with youth. We have trainings
that are free. We've recently expanded those into Prince George's County,
so if we have any listeners in Prince George's you
can go on our website everymind dot org and access
and register for trainings. And then the other thing that
(26:53):
I would love to highlight as we approach May and
Mental Health Awareness Month, we are holding a five k
in Rockville, Maryland in the town Center on May eighteenth,
and we talked a little bit about that integration between
physical and mental health. So it's a five k run
as well as a one k walk, and then they'll
(27:15):
be a children's fun run, so it's open to all
age groups, every member of the community. So I encourage
people to consider registering to run, or we also are
seeking volunteers for that, or if you're you know with
a company that might be interesting partnering and sponsoring, that's
(27:35):
also another opportunity. But I encourage individuals to also follow
our social media it's every mind Inc. On all of
the social channels, and visit our website at everymind dot
org that you know has links to all of the
different programming and resources that we've.
Speaker 1 (27:57):
Touched on today standing and then once again, there are
also levels of donations. What are the different levels of
donations that people can do through the website.
Speaker 2 (28:05):
People can do any level they are comfortable with.
Speaker 3 (28:10):
Right, so from you know, a dollar up to the
maximum amount that someone would want to give. Every donation
makes a difference and allows us to continue to provide
our services for free so that every community member can
access them when and when, when and where they need
(28:31):
it without concern around being able to you know, afford
or access the services.
Speaker 1 (28:37):
And the point is you can do a one time
donation or you can do monthly and annual and if
you're a small, medium or large business and you're also
encouraging people to reach out that way too.
Speaker 3 (28:45):
Right, absolutely, absolutely yes, it can be one time like
you said, or monthly however, people you know want to
contribute that is always welcome and we're always for individuals
to partner with us and help spread the word and
you know, reduce the stigma by just talking about mental
(29:10):
health and wellness.
Speaker 1 (29:10):
Well said, well and from one pairent to another and
what all you and your team are doing, Thank you
so much. It's just so needed and I really appreciate it.
I know it's hard work, but it's also rewarding work,
which I appreciate that you're doing for everybody out there.
Thank you so much. I want to stay in touch
with you and see how things are going, but we
really appreciate you joining us on Community DC.
Speaker 2 (29:28):
Absolutely. Thank you, Dennis, look forward to it.
Speaker 1 (29:31):
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