Transforming Shame and the Difference Between Self-Care & Escapism With Mike Veny

Mike Veny was determined to overcome a lifetime of serious mental health challenges to become a professional drummer and a Certified Corporate Wellness Specialist. In this episode, we unpack his book, “Transforming Stigma: How to Become a Mental Wellness Superhero.” Mike discusses depression, his past suicide attempt and shares advice on how to navigate mental health and wellness from a personal and corporate standpoint.

Memorable Moments:

• 7:29: When we talk about the stigma, as we do with mental health, it’s actually a three-part process. You transform shame through self-care. When you take care of yourself, for some oddball reason, you start to feel better about yourself. You transform silence through conversation. You transform the sabotage social injustice, self-destructive behavior, and suicide through connecting with others at a deeper level, which is something we are so lacking in this world.
• 14:20: When we think about our businesses, we think about being productive and profitable and there are so many studies that show in a mentally healthy work environment, the company is more productive and profitable. So addressing it is a win for everyone.
• 15:43: And that’s what I have been seeing when I’ve been speaking in workplaces, is that people are slowly starting to embrace that we can’t put it [mental wellness] into a box. We can’t just get some breathing exercises and you’re going to be okay. It’s dirty. It’s messy, but it’s also beautiful and there’s gold on the other side.
• 16:29: If you made that courageous step of getting help, first of all, it’s important to realize that it’s a process to find the right treatment for yourself.
• 18:38: We confuse escape activities and self-care. There’s nothing wrong with escape activities, but it’s important to distinguish the two. And when you do, you start getting on the road to a mentally healthier life.
• 24:01: When you participate in an art activity, whether it’s drawing, painting or anything, you get to have a conversation with yourself. That’s all art is, a conversation with yourself and it allows you to express things that maybe you can’t express in words.

Dear Mind, You Matter is brought to you by NOBU, a new mental health and wellness app. To download NOBU, visit the app store or Google Play. 

This podcast is hosted by Allison Walsh and Dr. Angela Phillips. It is produced by Allison Walsh, Ashley Tate, and Nicole LaNeve. For more information or if you’re interested in being a guest on this podcast, please visit www.therecoveryvillage.com/dearmindyoumatter.