Navigating Mental Health Challenges: A Conversation with Rachel Kelly

In this episode of the Med free Mental Fitness Podcast, host Katinka Blackford Newman speaks with bestselling author and mental health ambassador Rachel Kelly. Rachel shares her personal experiences with severe depression, the impact it had on her family, and her struggles with various medications. She discusses her journey to recovery, the importance of feeling empowered, and her skepticism toward the chemical imbalance narrative. They also explore Rachel's new book 'The Gift of Teenagers', which focuses on positive parenting and mental health strategies for young people. Rachel emphasizes the significance of agency in mental health recovery and the need for more preventative measures and non-medical approaches within the healthcare system.

00:00 Welcome to the Medfree Mental Fitness Podcast

01:04 Rachel Kelly's Mental Health Journey Begins

01:57 The Struggles with Medication

04:10 Impact on Family and Personal Reflections

05:17 Questioning the Chemical Imbalance Narrative

12:01 The Second Episode and Recovery

17:27 Writing and Sharing Her Story

25:45 The Gift of Teenagers

31:59 Final Thoughts and Reflections

If you'd like to watch the video version of this podcast, watch it on Youtube https://youtu.be/ptANRGJ4JV8?si=DLf9kMDYNzJCon3r