Unapologetically Black Unicorns

Dr. Felecia Pullen (she/her) is the founder of The PILLARS & S.A.F.E. in Harlem and she is an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. Dr. Pullen focuses on language surrounding the political determinates of health and racial disparities in policy. They talk about Dr. Pullen’s substance use recovery, mental health and suicide attempt survivor journey, her passion for the work she is doing and how money and insurance shouldn’t be a barrier.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

Dr. Nzinga Harrison (she/her) is a physician, educator, the Chief Medical Officer and Co-Founder of Eleanor Health and an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. Dr. Harrison shares the “r’s” of trauma-informed care and how racism is a predictor for health disparities. They talk about Eleanor Health’s mission, how substance use disorders are mental health issues and how there are an infinite number of paths to addiction which means there are also an infinite number of paths to recovery.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

Vesper Moore (they/elle) is a mad liberation and disability justice activist, and they are an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. Vesper defines mad liberation and neurodiversity and how they got involved in the field. They talk about opening Respites and the complications with funding, using advocacy in their peer training and learning lessons in everything and everyone.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

For more information visit:

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vespermoore

Book Drop The Disorder: Second Edition - https://adisorder4everyone.com/

Website: www.vespermoore.com

Kiva Centers: www.kivacenters.org

Madness Network News: www.madnessnetworknews.com

Dr. John Draper (he/him) was the Chief Officer of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. Dr. Draper helps us understand the genesis of the new 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and what he hopes gets accomplished through the new lifeline. They talk about geolocation, how to serve people where they are and building trust and making others feel empowered.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

For  more info:

• https://988lifeline.org
• https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/988
• https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/988/jobs

Dr. Ruby Mendenhall (she/her) is an Associate Professor at the University of Illinois and she is an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. Ruby talks about her family and where she came from. They talk about Ruby teaching at a predominately white institution, creating a wellness store, youth community health workers, youth citizen/community scientists and racial microaggressions.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

Shonique Williams (she/her) is the Founder of the Ezekiel’s Project and No CARE Court Coalition, Asantewaa Boykin (she/her) R.N MICN, is an Emergency RN and the co-founder of APTP (Anti Police - Terror Project), Andreya Garcia-Ponce De Leon (she/her) is the Executive Director of San Bernardino Free Them All and Project Amiga and they are all Unapologetically Black Unicorns. They discuss Senate Bill 1338 - CARE Court and all of its shortcomings. They talk about how they all got involved in the No CARE Court Coalition, their experiences speaking during the hearings and reactions from some assembly members and holding our elected officials accountable.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

Keris goes solo to reflect on some personal meaning behind the artwork of a few Tarot cards. There was one card in particular that resonated with her, the Tower card, and she draws the parallels between the card and her personal experiences. She talks about the old LA county general hospital, being involuntarily hospitalized and she ties it all together by sharing when she had her Tower Card moment.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

Zak Williams (he/him) is a Mental Health Advocate, the son of the late actor/comedian Robin Williams and an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. Zak shares how mental health advocacy has been a way to manage his process of healing and discovering how service was a path to happiness. They talk about how Zak got started teaching at San Quentin State Prison, his work on lifestyle interventions and being open to opportunities.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

Denise Soler Cox (she/her) is an author, film director and an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. Denise shares the concept for “Project Eñye” and how screening #44 changed everything about her film. They talk about “Los Trapos Sucios Se Lavan En Casa” and how Latinx families speak about mental health, how her film sparked something within the viewers to share their secrets and the power of our individual experience.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

Lorenzo Lewis (he/him) is the Founder of the Confess Project; America’s First Mental Health Barbershop Movement and Kelechi Ubozoh (she/her) ) is a mental health consultant, advocate, author and they share the importance of talking about Black Mental Health. They both talk about how they got inspired to do the work they are doing and how representation matters. This discuss pushing forward community crisis response, creating opportunities for the communities to be healers for our Black mental health and the concerns with 988 but also what an opportunity it could become if done right.

 

This episode is sponsored by Janssen Neuroscience and Supported by The Painted Brain, a California based Peer Run Organization.

https://paintedbrain.org/ubu-black-mental-health/