185: From Darkness to Light: A Journey of Hope and Healing with WONDHERFUL , INC founder, Heather Palacios

Disclaimer:

Before proceeding with this podcast episode, we want to provide a trigger warning. The following content may be sensitive and could potentially trigger adverse reactions in individuals who have experienced or are currently experiencing similar situations. We advise discretion and encourage self-care. This episode discusses topics such as suicide, depression, and grief. We delve into personal experiences and challenges related to these issues, aiming to provide insight and support to our listeners. However, if you feel that these topics may be distressing or triggering for you, we recommend refraining from listening to this episode.

If you find yourself in need of additional support after listening to this episode, please remember that help is available. You can reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or call 988. Trained counselors are available 24/7 to provide confidential support and guidance. Additionally, if you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis or emergency, please call 911 or seek immediate medical intervention.

Please note that while we strive to provide informative and supportive content, The Motherhood Village will not be held legally responsible for any effects that may occur because of watching or listening to our podcast episodes. We encourage self-awareness and self-care and urge listeners to prioritize their mental health and well-being.

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In this episode of the Motherhood Village podcast, Nicole speaks with special guest Heather Palacios, the founder of WONDHERFUL , INC, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing suicides and supporting individuals through mental health crises. 

Heather shares her deeply personal journey of battling suicidal thoughts from the age of eight, into adulthood, and how this experience led her to create Wondherful. The organization sends out 'life boxes' to those in need, containing essentials and extras to remind people of their worth, encourage them to seek help and choose life. She emphasizes the importance of believing children when they express feelings of despair, addressing mental health issues directly, and the vital role of faith and resilience in her ongoing recovery. 

We also touch upon how to foster conversations around mental health within families and the significance of support systems, education, and proactive measures in both personal recovery and aiding others.

We talk about:

• 0:00 Introduction and Guest Background
• 0:38 Book recommendation
• 2:19 Her history with suicidal ideation
• 5:30 Creating Wondherful as a non-profit
• 8:37 The purpose of the Life Boxes and examples of different kinds they send out
• 16:01 How her faith played a role in her journey to recovery and efforts to support others also in a mental health crisis
• 19:12 Is there something her parents could have done differently when she were 8 to help her?
• 23:46 The framework that helped her communicate with her little ones into tweens + teens
• 29:10 The role schools, workplaces, etc. have in addressing mental health challenges
• 32:57 How she maintains her own mental health while helping others

Resources

• Oh The Places You’ll Go by Dr. Seuss
  

Connect with Heather

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/wondherful?lang=en
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wondherful/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Wondherful/?fref=nf
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wondherful/
• https://wondherful.com/
  
  

Connect with Nicole 

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.motherhood.village1/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/The.Motherhood.Village1
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolegcumberbatch/
• https://www.themotherhoodvillage.com/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNzy4b2WHCxvP1k8lL0dvIA