When my son, Will, was in the darkest part of his struggle I didn’t tell anyone. I felt ashamed for having a child struggling with depression. I felt like a bad mom. Once I did the video for Zero Reasons Why and 10,000 people saw it, I knew I had to do something to help people know that they are not alone and there is hope when they have a child struggling. There are just not enough supports and resources for parents.

The podcast is about sharing stories—stories of parenting a child with mental illness and/or substance abuse issues and stories from those with lived experience. The podcast is also about sharing resources. Every parent I’ve talked to at this point except for one has said they didn’t know what to do or who to call when their child had a mental health crisis.

Everyone! When I first started the podcast I thought it was just going to be for parents who have a struggling child. Very quickly I realized that ANYONE could benefit from listening to the Just A Mom podcast episodes. I really want parents of young children to listen to The Just A Mom podcast. I wish I had heard all of these episodes 26 years ago before I had a child.

I’ve been dusting off my old journalism roots and writing a lot. It’s been somewhat cathartic for me to get some things out on paper that I haven’t before. I’m also attending conferences, speaking and looking at some pretty cool things to bring to people in the future.

One of the most common questions I get is how do I keep my own mental health in check when talking about the topic so frequently? I love it when people ask me that. It means that they understand that mental health is a part of EVERYONE. I won’t lie–sometimes the things people share on The Just A Mom podcast are incredibly difficult to hear and process. But having walked the journey as a parenting with a child who suffers from depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation, I also know that it is somewhat cathartic and healing to talk about your journey. I have a box of kleenex in the studio. I don’t know that I’ve made it through a recording with a parent without needing one.

I try to use my own coping mechanisms to support my mental health: I like to exercise, read, travel and spend time with family and friends. And I have an amazing therapist.