19-year-old Joe Perry from Gahanna, Ohio tells us what it was like to have school authorities turn against him after he came forward about his mental health challenges. We explore the impact of this stigma, and Joe takes us through his journey with depression, anxiety and self-harm. Joe introduces us to his greatest coping mechanism - writing poetry - and we hear from Tasha Golden on the impact of poetry and creative writing as healing arts.
Joe shared his story through poetry with This Is My Brave, Inc. (TIMB) at their 2021 National Teen Show. You can watch it here.
If you’re struggling or considering suicide, you can now call the national suicide and crisis hotline: 9-8-8. You can also still contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). If you are in a crisis situation, please text STORY to 741741 to be connected with a crisis counselor at Crisis Text Line.
Season 1 of Our Turn to Talk is produced by Principle Pictures in partnership with This Is My Brave, Inc.. The podcast includes content from the WETA Well Beings Youth Mental Health Project. This season is made possible by generous donations from The Hershey Company, Janssen, Rose-Marie van Otterloo, The Risa Fund, and a dedicated anonymous donor.
Special thanks to our clinical advisors Kyaien O. Conner, PhD, LSW, MPH and Tammy George, MSW, LCSW. Theme music by Merel & Tony. Additional music by Anthony Barilla.