This episode contains depictions of suicide and infanticide that you may find disturbing.

Did you know that 20% of pregnant women experience emotional or mood disorders? And while we don't always want to talk about it, suicide during the perinatal period is a leading cause of death in women.

My guest today is Dr. Dhami, a specialist in perinatal mental health. She shares valuable insights and resources for women facing perinatal mental health conditions and highlights the limited availability of specialized inpatient treatment for those affected.

Topics include:

• The importance of advocating for oneself when it comes to mental health care during pregnancy and postpartum.
• The importance of specialized inpatient treatment for pregnant individuals with emotional and mood disorders, and the need for more resources and programs dedicated to perinatal mental health.
• Technology's role in improving access to mental health care for pregnant and postpartum women, particularly when combined with in-person evaluation for more severe conditions.

If you need to talk to someone:

• Reach the National Suicide Prevention Line (USA) by dialing 988 on your phone or 800-273-TALK (800-273-8255).
• Contact the Trevor Project (for suicide prevention and overall mental well-being of young LGBTQ lives) at https://www.thetrevorproject.org or call 866-488-7386.
• For anyone outside the USA, see https://befrienders.org/

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Suicide and Maternal Mortality | Current Psychiatry Reports
• Postpartum resources for mental health:
  • https://www.postpartum.net/
  • https://marcesociety.com/
  • https://womensmentalhealth.org/
  • The Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale
• Inpatient Perinatal Hospitals
  • Perinatal Psychiatry Inpatient Unit - Center for Women's Mood Disorders (unc.edu)
  • Perinatal psychiatry services - Obstetrics and Gynecology | Northwell Health
  • Women’s Specialty Unit | El Camino Health
• Hotline for El Calmino Hospital Inpatient Perinatal Mental Health for providers and families: 650-988

Disclaimer
The information in this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.

The personal views expressed by guests on Women's Digital Health are their own. Their inclusion here does not constitute an endorsement from Dr. Brandi, Women's Digital Health, or associated organizations.

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Have you ever wanted to tell yourself a different story about your past? A story that embraces challenges, restores joy, and stops you from reliving past trauma over and over again.

My guest today is LaShonda Walker, the founder of A New Life Story Coaching Service. Despite checking all the societal boxes of success, LaShonda found herself exhausted and unfulfilled. Her turning point came during the pandemic, which led her to embrace the Adult Chair Model and eventually become a coach to help others navigate similar struggles.

This model involves looking at life through the lens of three different chairs: the inner child chair, the adolescent chair, and the adult chair. By exploring past experiences and focusing on the present moment, individuals can uncover their authentic selves and make positive changes in their lives.

In our conversation, LaShonda also discussed the impact of social media on mental health and how individuals can navigate external influences while focusing on their own well-being.

Topics include:

A description of the three phases of the adult chair model, and how exploring them can help you to change your story

• The way that technology can enhance well-being and provide resources for clients to use in between coaching sessions
• The first step to take in order to stay present and address overwhelming emotions
• Recognizing the legacy of generational patterns and shame on mental health
• Where to find out more about LaShonda and her work

Throughout the episode, LaShonda provides valuable insights into how technology can enhance the coaching experience, making mental health support more accessible and effective. She encourages listeners to take small steps, like a minute of deep breathing, to start changing their life and legacy.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Sign up for the Women's Digital Health Newsletter
• Visit LaShonda at A New Life Story
• Connect with LaShonda on Instagram and Facebook
• Listen to the A New Life Story podcast

Subscribe to the Women's Digital Health Podcast wherever you're listening right now, and discover more about the intersection of technology, mental health, and personal development. And please share the podcast with anyone from your community who will benefit.

Disclaimer
The information in this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.

The personal views expressed by guests on Women's Digital Health are their own. Their inclusion here does not constitute an endorsement from Dr. Brandi, Women's Digital Health, or associated organizations.

Visit Women's Digital Health and subscribe to our newsletter.

Connect with Women's Digital Health on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

If you're feeling burnt out, did you know that non-invasive brain technologies can make a big difference in your life? By delivering microcurrents to the brain through the vagus nerve, this innovative approach can address various mental health conditions without the need for invasive procedures.

We look into the world of non-invasive brain technologies, which entails delivering low-level electrical currents to targeted areas of the brain. These technologies have the potential to reduce stress, burnout, and address various mental health conditions like depression and anxiety. It's fascinating to learn about these exciting approaches to mental health management.

Neuroscientist Dr. Alison Smith shares her personal journey of Lyme disease and the anxiety disorder that followed. Her story sheds light on the importance of advocating for oneself and having open conversations with healthcare providers to explore all possible avenues for diagnosis and treatment.

Finally, we learn about the physiological cascade of the stress response and how it can differ between individuals. Dr. Smith highlights the importance of recognizing stress triggers and building resilience to prevent long-term mental health conditions like anxiety and panic disorders.

Topics include:

• Introducing Non-Invasive Brain Technologies
• Dr. Allison Smith's personal experience of Lyme Disease
• Understanding the physiological responses to stress, and how it affects individuals differently based on gender and lifestyle factors
• How non-invasive brain technologies can address conditions like depression, anxiety, and burnout, offering new avenues for mental health support
• The importance of self-care, advocacy, and seeking appropriate medical advice for managing stress and mental health challenges effectively

Remember, taking care of your mental health is just as important as your physical health. Let's continue to prioritize self-care and seek out innovative solutions to support our well-being.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Watch the full interview with Dr. Alison Smith, Neuroscientist and Co-Founder of Roga

Subscribe to the Women's Digital Health Podcast wherever you're listening right now. And please share the podcast with anyone from your community who will benefit.

Disclaimer
The information in this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.

The personal views expressed by guests on Women's Digital Health are their own. Their inclusion here does not constitute an endorsement from Dr. Brandi, Women's Digital Health, or associated organizations.

Visit Women's Digital Health and subscribe to our newsletter.

Connect with Women's Digital Health on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

For the last part of our series aimed at demystifying AI’s role in mental health, we delve deep into the impact of artificial intelligence on women seeking mental health resources. In this episode, we discuss bias in AI, the recent Change Healthcare data breach, and how to protect yourself in the digital health landscape.

If we define bias as leaning towards one outcome over others, it's obvious that, when it comes to AI, it can lead to flawed algorithms and bad decisions. So we look at the concept of bias and the different ways that this can impact AI, specifically data bias, algorithmic bias, and outcome bias, and how each of these can impact the effectiveness of mental health apps and resources.

We also talk about the Change Healthcare ransomware attack, where personal health data was released, leading to distrust and anger among patients. We highlight the need for data privacy protection and staying informed about potential breaches in the healthcare sector.

Topics include:

• The different types of bias in Artificial Intelligence that affect the experience of women seeking mental health resources.
• What health data privacy breaches, like the one at Change Healthcare, tell us about the importance of protecting personal health information, and seeking legal recourse if affected.
• The role of mental health wellness apps and AI in relation to other mental health resources.
• How bias in AI and the risks of health data breaches can help individuals make informed decisions about their mental health care.
• Ways that you can help ensure the protection of your personal health information.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Listen to Episode 13 of the Women's Digital Health podcast: Exploring Artificial Intelligence’s Role in Mental Health Through Language Models
• Listen to Episode 14 of the Women's Digital Health podcast: Unveiling the Users of Artificial Intelligence and Mental Health: Who Benefits?
• Visit UnitedHealth Group Updates on Change Healthcare Cyberattack
• Visit Change Healthcare Cyberattack Support

Subscribe to the Women's Digital Health Podcast wherever you're listening right now. And please share the podcast with anyone from your community who will benefit.

Disclaimer
The information in this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.

The personal views expressed by guests on Women's Digital Health are their own. Their inclusion here does not constitute an endorsement from Dr. Brandi, Women's Digital Health, or associated organizations.

Visit Women's Digital Health and subscribe to our newsletter.

Connect with Women's Digital Health on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

The benefits of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in providing personalized care and enhancing the mental health experience for users and professionals are clear. From personalized treatment plans based on data analysis to chatbots offering convenient and affordable support, AI is revolutionizing the mental health landscape.

However, the episode also addresses challenges in digital therapeutics and the need for more mental health professionals to embrace these technologies. We also discuss who the users of AI are in the realm of mental health.

Our goal is to demystify AI and make it more approachable, especially since its integration is rapidly transforming healthcare. We discuss how AI is not just for tech-savvy individuals but for everyone looking to improve their mental health.

AI's potential in healthcare, despite its ethical challenges and biases, is going to be significant, and we aim to explore these in future episodes.

Topics include:

• AI's role in Mental Health and the benefits for those seeking support
• AI's role in supporting mental health professionals
• The role of AI in Women's mental health
• Will chatbots replace therapists?

In our next episode, we'll discuss data protection and safety in AI and mental health, addressing concerns about data privacy and the rights of individuals using these tools.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Listen to Episode 7 of the Women's Digital Health podcast: Artificial Intelligence in Women's Health
• Listen to Episode 13 of the Women's Digital Health podcast: Exploring Artificial Intelligence’s Role in Mental Health Through Language Models

Time Stamp:
[00:02:21] Users of artificial intelligence

[00:08:12] Chatbots addressing postpartum depression.

[00:12:00] Artificial intelligence in mental health.

[00:13:29] AI alerting suicide risk.

Further reading:

• The Nexus of Minds: Unveiling the Significance of AI in Mental Health and Viable Remedies: Chavali, Durga Prasanna, Chavali, Durga Prasanna, Dhiman, Vinod Kumar: 9798871649367: Amazon.com: Books
• The AI Therapist: Exploring the Transformative Potential of Artificial Intelligence in Mental Health - Kindle edition by Nolan, Roma. Health, Fitness & Dieting Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

Disclaimer
The information in this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.

The personal views expressed by guests on Women's Digital Health are their own. Their inclusion here does not constitute an endorsement from Dr. Brandi, Women's Digital Health, or associated organizations.

Visit Women's Digital Health and subscribe to our newsletter.

Connect with Women's Digital Health on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

If you're curious about how AI is revolutionizing mental health support, one of the big hurdles is learning the language! Terms like Natural Language Processing (NLP), Natural Language Models (NLMs), chatbots, and Chat GPT all get thrown into the mix. But what do they mean? And how do they relate to your own mental health journey?

In the first part of a three-part series aimed at demystifying AI's role in mental health, we focus on the essential vocabulary needed to navigate this innovative field.

Concepts like the ones I listed above are crucial for understanding how AI can interpret and respond conversationally to human language, which is particularly important when discussing mental health applications.

Topics include:

• An explanation of key terms that we'll be using throughout this mini-series
• How natural language processing allows computers to understand human language, using a personal example of "twerk anxiety"!
• The role that natural language models can have in providing support, and an introduction to virtual therapy assistants and chatbots
• How a large language model like Chat GPT generates responses and learns from data

By grasping concepts like NLP, NLMs, and Chat GPT, you will be better able to comprehend the impact of AI on mental health care. Over the next episodes, we will further explore this evolving landscape.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Reach the National Suicide Prevention Line (USA) by dialing 988 on your phone or 800-273-TALK (800-273-8255).
• Contact the Trevor Project (for suicide prevention and overall mental well-being of young LGBTQ lives) at https://www.thetrevorproject.org or call 866-488-7386.
• For anyone outside the USA, see https://befrienders.org/

To learn more foundational terms used in AI: Listen to Episode 7 of the Women's Digital Health podcast: Artificial Intelligence in Women's Health

Subscribe to the Women's Digital Health Podcast wherever you're listening right now. And please share the podcast with anyone from your community who will benefit.

Disclaimer
The information in this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.

The personal views expressed by guests on Women's Digital Health are their own. Their inclusion here does not constitute an endorsement from Dr. Brandi, Women's Digital Health, or associated organizations.

Visit Women's Digital Health and subscribe to our newsletter.

Connect with Women's Digital Health on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

If you've decided that 2024 is the year that you're going to start paying more attention to your mental health, there are so many benefits that telemental health can offer.

Telemental health is the use of telecommunications or videoconferencing technology to provide mental health services. It is sometimes referred to as telepsychiatry or telepsychology.

In this episode. I delve into the world of telemental health, exploring its benefits and sharing practical tips to ensure your telehealth visits are successful and fulfilling.

From building trust with your provider to ensuring privacy and safety during your sessions, these tips will empower you to make the most of your telehealth experience.

Topics include:

• The history and evolution of telehealth, from transmitting heart rhythms over the telephone in the early 1900s to the surge in telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic
• The statistics demonstrating that women are more likely to seek mental health care
• How telehealth can address the mental health crisis and provide access to specialized professionals, even in underserved areas
• My seven essential tips to ensure your telemental health visits are safe, effective, and comfortable

In the next episode, we will delve into the fascinating world of artificial intelligence in mental health.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• 7 telehealth trends that physicians should know | American Medical Association
• American Psychological Association
• Milman Report: Access Report | Inseparable

Subscribe to the Women's Digital Health Podcast wherever you're listening right now. And please share the podcast with anyone from your community who will benefit.

Disclaimer
The information in this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.

The personal views expressed by guests on Women's Digital Health are their own. Their inclusion here does not constitute an endorsement from Dr. Brandi, Women's Digital Health, or associated organizations.

Visit Women's Digital Health and subscribe to our newsletter.

Connect with Women's Digital Health on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

Welcome to this episode of the Women's Digital Health podcast! Today, I want to discuss the connection between mental health and overall well-being and the urgent need for more mental health tools and resources. According to a survey by the American Psychological Association, 90% of respondents believe that the United States is in a mental health crisis. Therefore, understanding the connection between mental health and overall health and exploring digital mental health apps as valuable resources for everyone, regardless of their current emotional state, is essential. In this episode, we dive into the world of digital mental health apps.

Topics include:

• How digital mental health apps can promote overall mental well-being, regardless of your current mental health status
• Things to consider when choosing a mental health app
• How to evaluate the effectiveness and reliability of an app
• Resources that can help you to choose the right mental health app for you
• Evidence, Privacy, and Regulatory considerations to take into account when selecting a mental health app

Digital mental health apps can promote overall mental well-being, regardless of your current mental health status.

In future episodes, we will explore other tools in the digital mental health space, including telehealth, artificial intelligence, and more.

Resources Included in this episode:

• National Suicide Prevention Line (USA) by dialing 988 on your phone or 800-273-TALK (800-273-8255).
• Trevor Project (for suicide prevention and overall mental well-being of young LGBTQ lives) at https://www.thetrevorproject.org or call 866-488-7386.
• For anyone outside the USA, see https://befrienders.org/
• American Psychiatric Association
• American Psychological Association
• Mindapps.org
• Digital Therapeutics Alliance

I aim to provide tools and resources to help individuals face life challenges and enhance their mental well-being. Whether you're feeling great or you're struggling with mental health issues, it's essential to be proactive in seeking out and utilizing mental health apps.

Subscribe to the Women's Digital Health Podcast wherever you're listening right now. And please share the podcast with anyone from your community who will benefit.

Disclaimer
The information in this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.

The personal views expressed by guests on Women's Digital Health are their own. Their inclusion here does not constitute an endorsement from Dr. Brandi, Women's Digital Health, or associated organizations.

Visit Women's Digital Health and subscribe to our newsletter.

Connect with Women's Digital Health on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube.