Dr. Christine M. Crawford is a board-certified psychiatrist, child and adolescent mental health specialist, and Chief Medical Officer at NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness), the largest grassroots mental health organization in the United States with over 650 local affiliates nationwide. In this episode, Karena and Dr. Crawford discuss the warning signs of depression in children and adults, practical tools for managing worried thoughts, what AI can and cannot do for mental health, perimenopause's impact on mood and anxiety, and the free NAMI programs available across the country.
How do you finally ask for help when the average person waits 11 years to do it?
Closing the gap between the moment symptoms begin and the moment someone reaches out starts with understanding what those symptoms actually look like, and knowing that support is far closer than most people realize.
(04:45) Anxiety: What It Actually Is and Why It's Getting Worse
● Why the word "anxiety" gets thrown around so much that most people don't recognize when they actually have it
● The physical symptoms of anxiety that go way beyond feeling worried
● Something Dr. Crawford says about our phones and our nervous systems that is hard to unhear
● Why anxiety is functional for some people, and exactly when it crosses a line that can't be ignored
(21:53) The 11-Year Gap: Depression, Kids & What Loved Ones Miss
● The NAMI data point Karena raises that Dr. Crawford confirms, and what it means specifically for children
● A shift in a teenager's social behavior that parents almost always explain away as a phase
● The comments kids sometimes make that are easy to dismiss but are actually red flags for depression
● Why the first step toward getting help may have nothing to do with finding a therapist
(30:26) AI, 988 & the Tools That Actually Work at 3am
● Dr. Crawford's honest take on why people turn to AI for mental health support, and where she draws a firm line
● The three-digit number that exists for the exact moments when you don't know who else to call
● The hormonal changes that can bring on anxiety seemingly out of nowhere, and one supplement that could make a bigger difference than most women expect
● What Karena says about NAMI's Family to Family program that surprised even her
Guest Resources
● NAMI HelpLine: The NAMI HelpLine is a free, confidential nationwide service that provides one-on-one emotional support, mental health information and resources needed to tackle tough challenges. You can reach the NAMI HelpLine by calling 1-800-950-NAMI (6264), texting “NAMI” to 62640, or emailing helpline@nami.org. The HelpLine is available M-F, 10 AM – 10 PM EST.
● Resources for people living with a mental health condition
● NAMI Family Caregiver HelpLine: The NAMI Family Caregiver HelpLine is a free, confidential service providing caregiver-led support, tools and strategies, trusted guidance, and connection at every stage of the caregiving journey. You can reach the Family Caregiver HelpLine by calling 1-800-950-NAMI (6264), texting “Family” to 62640, or emailing helpline@nami.org. The Family Caregiver HelpLine is available Monday Through Friday, 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM ET.
● Resources for family members and caregivers
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