224: Bridging the Gap in Academia's Mental Health Crisis

Paris welcomes Dr. Wendy Ingram, the CEO of Dragonfly Mental Health, a global nonprofit focused on improving mental health among academics. They discuss Wendy's personal journey with PTSD from childhood, her experience living with bipolar and the impact of societal stigma. Wendy shares how reading about mental health inspired her academic pursuits and her efforts to address mental health issues in academia. The podcast also covers the tragic loss of colleagues to suicide that prompted Wendy and her peers to tackle these issues head-on, leading to the founding of Dragonfly Mental Health. Through personal stories and professional insights, Wendy emphasizes the importance of mental health awareness, support, and action while sharing upcoming global initiatives by Dragonfly Mental Health. Connect with Dragonfly to learn more about their work here! 00:00 Welcome to Live Well Bipolar Podcast 00:05 Introducing Dr. Wendy Ingram and Dragonfly Mental Health 02:21 Dr. Wendy Ingram's Early Experiences with Mental Health 04:57 Discovering PTSD and the Path to Understanding 08:32 The Impact of Bipolar Disorder and Early Education 12:24 Graduate School Challenges and Seeking Help 27:10 Non-Medication Approaches and Coping Mechanisms 31:01 Post-Graduate Journey and Professional Growth 37:38 The Birth of Dragonfly Mental Health 45:23 Current Initiatives and Future Goals 47:19 Closing Remarks and How to Get Involved