Mind Over Matter
Those suffering from mental health issues often become victims of discrimination and social isolation due to the stigma attached to these disorders. This stigma is a significant public health issue and can inhibit those with mental illness to seek proper treatment and recovery.
In order to combat the stigma and increase awareness, prevention, treatment and management of a range of mental Illnesses, WVIA and Geisinger are presenting a new mental health initiative called Mind Over Matter. Like WVIA’s successful Battling Opioids series, this public health initiative aims to improve the mental and physical health of our community through a multi-platform approach that will include TV, radio and digital content.
Next Episode: Youth Mental Health Matters
Thursday, May 18th at 7pm on WVIA TV
Dr. Dana Milakovic serves as the Mental Wellness & Trauma Specialist with the Office for Safe Schools for the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE). As a passionate mental health and trauma specialist with over 20 years of experience in school mental health, community mental health, pediatric neuropsychology, school administration, and school psychology, she supports schools as the trauma lead for PDE. Dr. Milakovic also supports PA in moving forward as a trauma-informed state by participating on the leadership team for HEAL PA, as well as serving as the co-chair of the educational committee for HEAL PA. Her current focus is on strengthening schools through the development of equitable, trauma-informed learning environments that support the academic, physical, and psychological safety and well-being of students and staff. |
| Dr. Timothy Lionetti earned his Ph.D. in school psychology from Lehigh University. He's been active in his own private practice and has consulted with many schools and mental health agencies. Currently, he is the general pediatric outpatient director At Geisinger. |
| Tia Dreckman is a K-12 Professional School Counselor with 21 years of experience in public education. A graduate of Bloomsburg University and The Citadel, she is a Nationally Certified Counselor, a QPR Suicide Gatekeeper trainer, and an LGI Trauma Informed Care instructor. Ms. Dreckman is an advocate for students and has devoted much of her career to the middle grades. Most notably, Ms. Dreckman works to dispel the myth that parenting and educating teens has to be difficult, a narrative that she believes works against the health and success of our youth. |
Veterans: Wounded Within
Our panel includes Dr. Brian Keller, clinical psychologist and a veteran of both the U.S. Navy and U.S. Army; Brigadier General (PA) Maureen Weigl, Deputy Adjutant General for Veterans Affairs; Dave Eisele, Director of Lackawanna County Veterans Affairs
Amber & Jim
Since transitioning from active duty to veteran status, Amber Viola and Jim McLain have each taken up leadership positions at American Legion Post 274 and are using their respective platforms to build an inclusive community of veterans - shifting the mental health conversation from one of shame and secrecy to one of communal support.
Joseph Barna
United States Marine Corps veteran Joseph Barna of Freeland, Pennsylvania served for over a year in Korea. He found himself doing things he never imagined he was capable of and wasn't sure he could live with when he returned home. To help quiet the "devils in his mind," Barna turned to write about his experiences. The many essays and poems which have followed, along with the published memoir "God Makes Angels and Navy Corpsmen," have helped Barna and his fellow veterans heal the scars on the inside, as well as on the outside.
Chris Smith
Meet Chris Smith, Iraq Freedom veteran and team lead of Scranton Warrior Strong. Chris was deployed in 2003, and missed out on his daughters growing up. He was separated from his children, and ended up homeless, suffering from PTSD and traumatic brain injury. Hear the story on where he turned to for help, and how he used these setbacks to change the path of his life.
Upcoming Episodes
Lives Well Lived
Thursday, April 20th 7pm
Lives Well Lived celebrates the incredible wit and wisdom of people aged 75-100, who reveal their secrets for living a meaningful life. Encompassing 3,000 years of collective life experience, diverse people share life lessons about perseverance, the human spirit, and staying positive in the midst of life's greatest challenges. Their stories will make you laugh, perhaps cry, but mostly inspire you.
Quest of Beauty
Thursday, June 15th 7pm
Our need to fit into a society, to be loved and accepted, create an abyss between who we are and who we become. Cris Saur was bullied in school for being taller and skinnier than the rest of the girls. Later she became a model for the exact same features she was bullied for. The pressure for the perfect look left her with a very low self-esteem, and she only realized how damaged her self-esteem was after being physically abused by a former partner. Her distorted ideas of her role as a woman in our society, topped with her low self-esteem were the main reasons why she stayed so long in the abusive relationship. The abuse followed by depression and panic attacks were the catalyst of her quest for beauty.
If you would like to speak with someone about mental health issues, get connected to help:
Dial 211 or text your zip code to 898-211
Mental Health Hotlines and Resources
PA Mental Health Resources
211
neighborlypa.com
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
Veterans Crisis Line: call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) and press 1; or text 838255
PA Trauma-Informed Network
The Katie Foundation
Luzerne / Wyoming Counties Drug and Alcohol Program
Luzerne-Wyoming Counties Mental Health Services
Luzerne County Children and Youth Services
Geisinger
The National Institute of Mental Health
Family Service Association of NEPA
Crisis Text Line: text the word 'Home' to 741-741
The Trevor Lifeline for LGBTQ Youth: call 1-866-488-7386
The Trans Lifeline: call 1-877-565-8860
Scranton Counseling Center
The Wright Center for Community Health