In this engaging discussion, Stephanie Marquesano, founder of The Harris Project, shares her heart-wrenching journey of transforming grief into a mission for change. She dives into the crucial link between mental health and substance misuse, highlighting early intervention and education's roles in combating stigma. Reflecting on her son Harris's struggles, Stephanie emphasizes the pressing need for integrated care in addressing co-occurring disorders. Listeners gain insight into the societal shifts required for better outcomes, inspiring hope for families facing similar challenges.
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Stephanie's Son Harris' Struggles
Stephanie's son Harris struggled with anxiety from age three and later began substance misuse starting with marijuana in eighth grade.
Despite early mental health care and an ADHD diagnosis, the underlying mental health issues were overlooked, contributing to his relapse and eventual overdose.
insights INSIGHT
Understanding Co-Occurring Disorders
Co-occurring disorders combine mental health challenges and substance use issues with overlapping causes like genetics and trauma.
Substances may be used to self-medicate existing mental health disorders or cause new mental health issues from repeated use, especially in youth.
insights INSIGHT
Common Roots of Crises
The root causes of overdose, suicide, and substance-related deaths are often common and linked but treated as separate issues.
Early education and intervention targeting these roots can change outcomes and reduce stigma.
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After facing the unimaginable heartbreak of losing a child, Stephanie Marquesano transformed her grief into a powerful mission to advocate for individuals battling co-occurring disorders. Her son Harris's struggle with mental health and substance use inspired the creation of The Harris Project, an initiative focused on holistic care. Stephanie's journey from personal tragedy to activism underscores the critical need for integrated approaches to mental health and addiction treatment, offering hope and insight to families and professionals dealing with similar challenges.
Throughout our conversation, we explore the intricate link between mental health issues and substance misuse, uncovering the root causes like genetics and trauma. Highlighting the societal shift required to address these challenges, we draw attention to the disparity in care and perception compared to other illnesses. By advocating for early intervention and education, we aim to inspire communities to challenge the stigma surrounding these issues, ultimately leading to better outcomes for youth and adults alike.
In this episode, you will hear:
Stephanie Marquesano's journey from personal tragedy to founding The Harris Project
The importance of integrated mental health and addiction care for co-occurring disorders
Harris's story: early anxiety, substance misuse, and systemic failures in treatment
Advocating for early intervention and education to combat stigma and improve outcomes
Collaborative efforts like the "You Don't Know the Half of It" PSA to reshape public perception
The role of media and partnerships in changing narratives around mental health and addiction
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