Planning Ahead

During this week's episode, Dr. Lisa and Dr. Shaunna grapple with three phases addressing how we should be planning ahead and encourage others to do so. Listen in:

Phase 1 [1:37]: Shaunna's Black History Month (BHM) Policy. Receiving last minute requests for services during BHM feels like being invited to a party as an afterthought. Dr. Shaunna talks about these requests, how she's planning to handle them in the future, and how she wishes organizations would plan ahead.

Phase 2 [14:00]: How's Everybody Doing? As a beloved character on Sesame Street, Elmo posted a one line question on X asking how everyone is doing. Within less than a week, 30,000 responses spoke of major personal challenges, providing a real time litmus test that highlighted what feels like a "mental health crisis." Dr. Lisa and Dr. Shaunna talk about Rachel Cargle's Loveland Foundation as one example of initiatives to affordably address historically excluded groups and their mental health needs.

Phase 3 [27:20]: Shredded Lettuce: Upworthy's IG account recently highlighted how folks sometimes look down on people who may need pre-washed, pre-shredded, and generally prepared produce. What people who judge others buying these prepared items don’t think about is accessibility. All people, regardless of their permanent or temporary physical or mental disability have a right to healthy, nutritious food. We have to look beyond our own abilities and realize food preparation is not easy for everyone..

Links mentioned in the show:

Elmo, We are Not Ok, Thanks. https://www.cnn.com/2024/01/31/health/elmo-checking-in-x-wellness-cec/index.html

The Loveland Foundation: https://thelovelandfoundation.org/