Ep. 227 – Mental Health Series with Joe Loizzo

Nov 6, 2023

Sharon Salzberg continues the Mental Health Series and speaks with Joe Loizzo, a psychiatrist and meditation scholar-teacher. They discuss the Middle East conflict, the evolution of mental health, the role of service in mental health care plans, stigma around treatment, Eastern vs Western approach to psychology, and working with trauma through embodied approaches and contemplative traditions.

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Introduction

00:00 • 5min

Acknowledging Suffering and Integrating Spirituality in Psychiatry

04:44 • 7min

The Impact of Devastating Events on Seeking Help

11:23 • 16min

The Founding of the Nalanda Institute

27:02 • 28min

Potential Future Developments in Mental Health

54:58 • 4min

Understanding Trauma, Embodied Approaches, and a Global Conversation

58:56 • 4min

Connecting to Earth and Breath

01:02:40 • 9min

Expressing Gratitude and Sharing Resources

01:11:12 • 3min

For episode 227 of the Metta Hour, we are continuing our Mental Health Series. In this series, Sharon sits down with different teachers, experts, and health advocates to explore and destigmatize mental health by applying the tools of Buddhist wisdom and spiritual practice.

For this fifth episode of the series, Sharon speaks with psychiatrist, clinical researcher, and meditation scholar-teacher, Joe Loizzo, MD, PhD. Joe is a Harvard-trained psychiatrist and Columbia-trained Buddhist scholar with over forty years’ experience studying the beneficial effects of contemplative practices on healing, learning and development. He is an Assistant professor at Weill-Cornell Medical College, the founder of the educational non-profit Nalanda Institute for Contemplative Science, and author of several books.

Today's podcast is sponsored by BetterHelp. Click to receive 10% off your first month with your own licensed professional therapist: betterhelp.com/metta

In this episode, Sharon and Joe discuss:

The conflict in the Middle East
How Joe came into the field of Mental Health
How the field has evolved thus far
How events of the world affect the personal
Should mental health care plans include service?
How stigma around treatment is evolving
Contributing factors to the Mental Health Crisis in the U.S.
The impetus for founding Nalanda Institute
The role Joe played in Sharon’s early teaching
Eastern vs Western approach to psychology
The compassionate approach to the human condition
Learning to work with our minds is not a luxury
Where psychedelics fit in
The future of Mental Health

The conversation closes with a guided meditation led by Joe. To learn more about Joe’s work or his different books, you can visit his website.

If you would like to suggest a topic for this series, you can email admin@sharonsalzberg.com with your questions and suggestions.

Mental Health Resources

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline call 988 or (800) 273-8255
Psychology Today Find a Mindfulness-Trained Therapist
Active Peace Yoga with Reggie Hubbard
The Psychology Podcast with Scott Barry Kaufman
Mark Epstein Psychiatrist & Author with a Buddhist Lens
Nalanda Institute Contemplative Psychotherapy Program
Express Yourself Black Man Healing Community for Black Men
Black Boys Om Black Boys & Men Healing & Wellness Education
Cloud Sangha Community For Meditation & Wellness
The Trevor Project Support for LGBTQ Mental Health
Therapy for Black Girls Mental Wellness for Black Women and Girls
The Friendship Bench Creating Safe Spaces & Community
Hope for Bereaved Grief Support Groups
Option B Grief, Trauma and Loss Support

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