The Force for Good

In this conversation, Rick Gertzma and Ashlie Castaldo discuss the critical importance of mental health in preventing social issues such as drug usage and homelessness. Ashlie shares her personal journey, including her advocacy for mental health, community engagement, and political involvement. They explore the need for nuanced approaches to mental health, the significance of coping mechanisms, and the role of community in fostering well-being. The discussion also highlights the future directions for mental health advocacy and the importance of collaboration and innovation in addressing these challenges.www.mdfoundation.org

Tracy Litman, a public school social worker, shares her journey and passion for helping others, particularly adolescents. She emphasizes the importance of not holding oneself hostage to the past and instead focusing on what one can do from here forward. Tracy has been recognized with numerous awards for her dedication to her work, including being named Minnesota School Social Worker of the Year. She has also been involved with organizations such as PAVSA (Program Aide for Victims of Sexual Assault) and DAIP (Domestic Abuse Intervention Project). Tracy's personal story includes her experience as the legal guardian of a child with disabilities, which has shaped her advocacy work. She is now a board member of the Miller-Dwan Foundation, where she continues to fight for children's mental health and access to support.www.mdfoundation.org

Gary Hubbell, a consultant, discusses his work with non-profit organizations and the importance of simplifying complexity, unifying teams, and embracing transformative change. He highlights the concept of simultaneity, which is one of the principles of appreciative inquiry, and how it brings about new possibilities. Hubbell shares his experience working with the Miller-Dwan Foundation and their approach to strategic planning, which involved engaging key stakeholders and imagining plausible alternative futures. He emphasizes the importance of community involvement and the foundation's commitment to being bolder, acting bigger, and adapting better. The conversation also touches on the foundation's initiatives, such as HOPEX and PM Plus, and their impact on both the local and global level.Chapters00:00Flipping the Traditional Approach to Leadership03:26The Power of Simultaneity04:27Simultaneity and Appreciative Inquiry19:03Being Bolder and Acting Bigger25:22Community Involvement and Fertile Soil for Ideas28:45Local and Global Impact of Initiativeswww.mdfoundation.org

Rick Gertsema, Senior Mental Health Advisor at the Miller-Dwan Foundation, shares his 40-year career in behavioral health and his passion for helping people. He discusses the importance of creating a scalable mental health workforce to address the mental health crisis. Gertsema highlights the PM Plus program, developed by the World Health Organization, as a way to provide effective care through trained non-specialists. He emphasizes the value of compassion, gold standard care, and the power of relationships in transforming mental health care. Gertsema's commitment, passion, and intuition make him an integral part of the foundation's efforts to eliminate the mental health crisis.00:00Rick Gertsema's 40-Year Career in Behavioral Health13:20Creating a Scalable Mental Health Workforce26:36Rick Gertsema's Passion for Making a Differencewww.mdfoundation.org

Zak Williams, mental health advocate and founder of PYM (Prepare Your Mind), shares his personal journey and the importance of mental health awareness and support. He discusses his own struggles with anxiety, depression, and obsessive-compulsive thoughts, as well as the impact of his father, Robin Williams' suicide. Williams emphasizes the need for a comprehensive approach to mental health, including programming, awareness, research, advocacy, and policy. He also highlights the importance of nutrition and self-care in maintaining mental well-being. Williams praises the passion and compassion of the people of Duluth and their role in driving systems change.KeywordsZak Williams, mental health, advocacy, PYM, Prepare Your Mind, anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive thoughts, Robin Williams, suicide, comprehensive approach, programming, awareness, research, advocacy, policy, nutrition, self-care, passion, compassion, systems changeTakeawaysMental health advocacy is a personal and healing journey for Zak Williams, who experienced anxiety, depression, and obsessive-compulsive thoughts from a young age.A comprehensive approach to mental health includes programming, awareness, research, advocacy, and policy.Nutrition and self-care play a crucial role in mental well-being, and Williams founded PYM to promote mental health through diet and lifestyle.The people of Duluth are passionate and compassionate, driving systems change and inspiring Williams in his advocacy work.Chapters00:00Introduction and Background06:46Growing Up with Robin Williams23:45Experience in Duluth and Systems Changewww.mdfoundation.org

SummaryThis conversation explores the work of the Miller-Dwan Foundation in the field of mental health, specifically their collaboration with Dr. Brandon Kohrt and Dr. Adam Brown on the implementation of Problem Management Plus (PM+) in New York City and the Twin Ports. The conversation covers the background of the project, the scalability of mental health interventions, and the need for accessible mental health services. The Recoup New York project, which aims to evaluate the efficacy of PM+, is discussed, along with other organizations and initiatives in the field. The partnership between the Miller-Dwan Foundation and the two doctors is highlighted as a model for community-based mental health care.TakeawaysProblem Management Plus (PM+) is a scalable intervention that can be delivered by non-specialists, providing mental health support in low-resource settings.The Recoup New York project is evaluating the effectiveness of PM+ in community-based organizations, aiming to provide accessible mental health services to underserved populations.The collaboration between the Miller-Dwan Foundation, Dr. Brandon Court, and Dr. Adam Brown demonstrates the importance of community connections and partnerships in implementing and expanding mental health interventions.The work being done in the Twin Ports has the potential to serve as a model for a new behavioral and mental health workforce, demonstrating the effectiveness of capacity building strategies.Chapters00:00Introduction and Background02:01Collaboration with Dr. Brandon Kohrt and Dr. Adam Brown03:25Work with Scalable Mental Health and Problem Management Plus (PM+)07:47Bringing PM+ to New York City10:30Recoup New York Project15:07Other Organizations and Initiatives22:45Possibilities for the Work in the Twin Ports26:06Multiplying Community Healing27:53Closing Remarkswww.mdfoundation.org

The conversation explores the history and mission of the Miller-Dwan Foundation, the strategic planning process, the HopeX initiative, the role of the Senior Mental Health Advisor, the multi-phase approach, and the future vision for the foundation.Takeaways:The Miller-Dwan Foundation has a strong history of generosity and philanthropy, with a focus on healthcare, including physical rehabilitation, burn care, and behavioral health care.The foundation embarked on a strategic planning process to address the mental health crisis in the community, resulting in the HopeX initiative, which aims to provide care options and programming to meet the needs of individuals at different stages of mental health.The Senior Mental Health Advisor plays a crucial role in guiding the foundation's efforts in behavioral health, bringing expertise in clinical, managerial, and administrative aspects.The foundation emphasizes the importance of community partnerships and collaboration to effectively address the complex issues of mental health and substance use.The future vision for the Miller-Dwan Foundation includes a noticeable downward trend in emergency services utilization, the creation of a supportive community, and the potential for global impact.Chapters00:00Introduction and History of the Miller-Dwan Foundation09:41Strategic Planning and the HopeX Initiative14:08The Role of the Senior Mental Health Advisor18:00Multi-Phase Approach and Community Partnerships25:50Future Vision for the Miller-Dwan Foundationwww.mdfoundation.org