Grace Gaustad Unlocks the "Black Box" of Mental Health

Singer-songwriter Grace Gaustad joins the Going There podcast to unlock that "black box" of mental health, particularly when it comes to the lasting effects of anti-LGBTQ+ bullying. Speaking with Dr. Mike, Gaustad describes how she was bullied because of her sexuality, and how that triggered her becoming severely depressed. 

The BLKBX: wht r u hding? musician explains how she started the non-profit organization the BLKBX Project in conjunction with her new album release. This organization focuses on teen mental illness, and addresses the fact that most people face stressful and traumatic issues such as bullying and mental illness in isolation. It's not uncommon to struggle in secret, in part because the stigma of mental illness causes us to assume – unfortunately, often rightly so – that we will be we will be harmed emotionally, socially, financially, even physically if we're too vocal about our issues. 

Similarly, people don't often check in on those facing mental challenges until there's a catastrophic event or it impacts our daily functioning. Gaustad explains how, like when an airplane crashes, we then investigate the black box that explains what went wrong; it's only then that we begin to try to figure out what’s going on with ourselves or others.

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Going There is an interview series presented by Consequence and Sound Mind Live. Clinical psychologist and life coach Dr. Mike Friedman talks with musicians about the crossroads where music and mental health meet. Musicians who have stepped up to share their wonderful work with us are now sharing the intimate details of their journey in living with mental illness. Dr. Mike asks the tough questions and has the difficult conversations, so that we can shine a light on the difficult topic of mental illness so we can all come out of the darkness, put an end to the stigma of mental illness, and get the care we need.