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Holistic Mental Health For YOU

Welcome back to Consider Yourself Hugged! Click below to watch, or Click here to listen to Episode 173.


*Disclaimer:

The information in this show is not intended to be therapy or to address your individual situation. It is information based on experiences, opinions, and research. If you need further help, please reach out to one of the resources at the end of the show notes, or others in your area.






Welcome back to the new season, friends! I’m so glad to have my dear friend Michelle back with me today. We've both been on a bit of a journey lately, and today we’re diving into something that's been on our minds a lot: holistic mental health. Here's an overview of our chat.

 

Personal Experiences with Mental Health

 

Michelle and I both opened up about our struggles with mental health. For me, anxiety has been a constant companion, and I've been navigating the complexities of managing it. Recently, I decided to take a step back from my Lexapro due to some side effects, and it’s been a bit of a challenge. Michelle, on the other hand, has been dealing with depression for years and strongly believes in the power of therapy and medication in her journey. We both talked about how frustrating it can be to face these struggles, but we’re determined to keep seeking the help we need.

 

The Importance of a Holistic Approach

 

One thing we both agree on is the importance of a holistic approach to mental health. It’s not just about medication or therapy—it’s about looking at the whole picture. That includes self-care, professional help, spirituality, and making sure we’re taking care of our bodies as well as our minds. We talked about how personalized care is essential, and what works for one person might not work for another. For me, that means continuing with the lowest dose of Lexapro, getting back into counseling through my company’s EAP program, and exploring meditation and other self-care practices.

 

Challenges in the Mental Health Conversation

 

We also touched on the challenges we’ve faced in talking about mental health, especially within our Christian community. There’s still so much stigma out there, and it can be hard to have these conversations without feeling judged. But we both feel strongly that it’s important to keep talking, to keep sharing our stories, and to keep seeking help—whether that’s through prayer, therapy, medication, or just a good chat with a friend over coffee.

 

Looking Forward

 

As we continue this journey, Michelle and I have some next steps we’re excited about. We’re planning to meet up again soon to keep this conversation going, and I’ll be adding some helpful resources to the show notes, like links to meditation videos and information about the Safety Net program for those who might not have insurance.

 

I’m also preparing for a significant personal milestone—the 30th anniversary of my stay in a psychiatric hospital. It’s a time for reflection, gratitude, and continuing to move forward with hope and determination.

 

Final Thoughts

 

Thank you for being part of this conversation with us today. Remember, mental health is a journey, and there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Whether you’re exploring new treatments, sticking with what works, or just trying to get through the day, know that you’re not alone. We’re here with you, walking this path together.

 

As I've always asked in the past, please pass the show link along to your friends and subscribe, download, and review wherever you are listening. If you’re a woman and you haven’t joined our private FB group A Place for Women, please do that now! It’ll be your source of encouragement. I'd love for you to follow my Tami West Seminars Facebook page as well. If you'd like to know more about my Mental Health First Aid Courses, contact me at 615-497-7714 or tamiwest@tamiwest.com.


And until next time, Consider Yourself Hugged 😘🤗


Promised Resources:






YouTube Meditation List


How We Feel App


Additional Resources:

For substance abuse treatment and mental health referrals, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or https://www.samhsa.gov/medications-substance-use-disorders.

 

Additional Resources can be found at:

 

Celebrated Recovery

 

Celebrate Recovery Meeting Locator:

 

Narcotics Anonymous

 

Alcoholics Anonymous

 

Finding a therapist:

 

Psychology Today

 

Adult Children of Alcoholics and Dysfunctional Families

 

Co-dependents Anonymous

 

Description of Schema Focused Therapy

 


Michelle Kixmiller, MSN, MAE, RN, APN, PMHNP-BC 

Michelle Kixmiller is a Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and Licensed Educator. She works with children and adults with mental health needs including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, ADHD, autism, schizophrenia, and obsessive compulsive disorder. Michelle served as a public school teacher and science department chair for over a decade when a family tragedy pulled her in a different direction. The death of her younger brother after a multiple year battle with depression and alcoholism led her to pursue a career in the mental health field. She went back to school to become a registered nurse graduating and gaining experience as a critical care nurse at a level 1 regional burn center prior to completing a graduate degree to become a mental health nurse practitioner. Her vision is holistic care through teamwork to create a more peaceful school environment for students and staff alike. No one should have to struggle alone. Michelle currently works full time for a non-profit community mental health center at an outpatient clinic and works PRN for an inpatient crisis stabilization unit. When not at work she loves spending time with family, traveling, watching movies (not scary ones), running (slowly), and Crossfit. Contact Michelle at Silver Lining Psychiatric Solutions, 615-378-7713 or mkixmill@gmail.com. 


Thanks for joining!


I hope this has been helpful today, and thank you for joining! As I've always asked in the past, please pass the show link along to your friends and subscribe, download, and review wherever you are listening. If you’re a woman and you haven’t joined our private FB group A Place for Women, please do that now! It’ll be your source of encouragement. I'd love for you to follow my Tami West Seminars Facebook page as well. If you'd like to know more about my Mental Health First Aid Courses, contact me at 615-497-7714 or tamiwest@tamiwest.com.


And until next season, Consider Yourself Hugged 😘🤗


*Disclaimer:

The information in this show is not intended to be therapy or to address your individual situation. It is information based on experiences, opinions, and research. If you need further help, please reach out to one of the resources below, or others in your area.


Mental Health Resources:






Tami West, PhD

Stress and Mental Health Expert Dr. Tami West uses her entertaining and compelling style to shine a new light on how to transform your life and discover solutions to life’s challenges.

Tami has worked in a variety of industries including healthcare, school nutrition, corporate sales, and 10 years as a public-school teacher. In 2013 she received her PhD in Human Development, studying the connections among stress, emotions, and identity.

Dr. West has spoken in 48 states across the US, as well as the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand. In any given year, Tami speaks to groups with audiences consisting of anywhere from 100 to 3,000 people.


Dr. West is the author of several successful publications including three books: The Stress Club, Life Without the Monsters and Thrive. When she's not speaking or writing, you might find her with her traveling with her husband and family, reading historical fiction, or watching Big Bang Theory.


Tami connects with audiences through real experience, cutting edge research, and transparent stories – all sprinkled with humor! She will make you laugh, cry, and shine a refreshingly new light on life's challenges.


Television Interviews


Contact Tami at tamiwest@tamiwest.com or follow her at Tami West Seminars. 




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