Just uploaded this video from my You-Tube channel, it is the most honest of any of my programs. It is topic that most people do not want to talk about especially during this time of the year.

Today’s program is certainly unscripted, and for many reasons. The message of my book Fractured Lollipop Poems of Brokenness Health and Hope is about mental health. In the back of the book on page 69 are resources for anyone who is dealing with mental health issues. There is no shame in asking for help, there is no shame in obtaining help for someone you care about. The stigma of mental health needs to be broken. CBS Sunday morning reporter Susan Spencer did a wonderful job on this subject. In my video I mentioned it in error as 911 and not the 988 crisis hotline. Please check out this report from last Sunday December 3,2023. Here are some resources to assist those seeking help and information on mental health and illness: National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) http://www.nami.org/help NAMI Help Line: 1-800-950-6264 (Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET) Text “HelpLine” to 62640 Email: helpline@nami.org National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/find-help 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline 988lifeline.org Call or text 988. The Lifeline network provides free 24-hour, confidential support to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. Veterans Crisis Line http://www.veteranscrisisline.net Dial 988, then press 1, or text 838255. The Veterans Crisis Line connects service members and veterans in crisis with a trained responder—24 hours a day, 7 days a week. When in doubt call 911… Christmas is a beautiful time of the year and yet the worst time of the year. Not just a Christmas but it could be everyday. I get it to a certain degree. I have these types of days, especially around Christmas or a loved ones birthday or just sometimes. We all experience loss,grief and trauma, it is part of the human condition. We have certainly have gone through so much because of the pandemic. If my book is about mental health then I better have the courage to speak up about this subject. Is this subject appropriate to speak about during the Christmas season? Yes it is… #cbs_broadcasting #cbsbroadcasting #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #mentalwellness #kindness #compassionmatters #veteranssuicideawareness Fractured Lollipop is on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CJSSTQQG?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860

For anyone who is struggling with mental health issues, please know there is hope and there is help. Your life means so much to every one of us. (Disclaimer: This content may be sensitive for some viewers.)