SHINEABLE Ep. 3 – Can the Arts Save Our Mental Health? Behind-the-Scenes of MINDfest Arts Festival

SHINEABLE Episode 3 – Can the Arts Save Our Mental Health?
In this episode of SHINEABLE, we we talk about mental health with Dr. Jody Early and Sandra Huber, co-directors of a new mental health arts festival in the Pacific Northwest called MINDfest. Listen or watch as Jody and Sandra share their behind-the-scenes dreams to re-frame our ideas about mental health — as Sandra says, “Without mental health, there is no health.”
Watch on YouTube or Listen on Spotify. Links below!
Watch SHINEABLE episode 3 on YouTube
Listen to SHINEABLE episode 3 on Spotify
SHINEABLE NOTES:
In episode 3 of SHINEABLE, we we talk about mental health with Dr. Jody Early and Sandra Huber, co-directors of a new mental health arts festival in the Pacific Northwest called MINDfest. Watch as Jody and Sandra share their behind-the-scenes dreams to re-frame our ideas about mental health — as Sandra says, “Without mental health, there is no health.”
Topics we cover:
- Mental wellness looks different for different people, communities, cultures, and times.
- Can the Arts save our mental health? Hear about the science.
- The importance of coming together in community
- Loneliness has become a leading cause of death
- Art Connects People
- 2023 MINDfest Keynote Speakers: Roxanna Pardo Garcia, Richard Taylor, Jr., Dr. Lucia Magis-Weinberg
- The Mind Body Connection
ABOUT OUR GUESTS:
ABOUT DR. JODY EARLY
Dr. Jody Early (she/her/ella) is principal investigator and an inaugural co-director of Mental Health Matters of Washington. She is a professor in the School of Nursing at the University of Washington Bothell and also a Master Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES) and Certified Health Coach. Jody’s background in public health promotion and education spans over 25 years, and her research examines the bio-psycho-social, cultural, and systemic factors that influence individual and population health. As a practitioner, she applies evidence-based approaches and community-based participatory methods to work in partnership with communities and groups to co-design and evaluate tailored health education and resources.
Her current and past projects cover a wide range of health issues, including: mental health, sexual harassment and violence prevention, breast cancer, diabetes, HIV, digital equity, and COVID-19. As a teacher, researcher, and practitioner, Jody’s work is rooted in critical and social theories that help to create inclusive public health strategies and policies that center human rights and equity, community strengths, and health justice. Her passion for improving mental health education stems from her own experiences as a caregiver, mother, and teacher, and the pressing need for more tailored mental health education and shared-decision making models for behavioral healthcare. Email: JEarly3@uw.edu
ABOUT SANDRA HUBER
Sandra Huber (she/her/ella) was born and raised in Panama City, Panama and came to the U.S. to study industrial engineering. After working as an engineer, she found her calling in social and humans services. Sandra has been a key player in the development of a Community Health Worker or Promotores de Salud program in Snohomish County. Sandra works to deepen relationships with community-based agencies, schools, healthcare organizations, and government agencies while building trust, transparency, and meaningful engagement with our residents.
Through events and conversations, she identifies emerging issues facing our diverse communities and offers classes and other opportunities to support those needs. Award from the WA State Public Association, and the 2015 Providence Institute Agency Change Maker Award. She currently co-chairs the Community Health Board Coalition and is part of the Board of Directors for Leadership of Snohomish County and part of the board of Directors for MAS, Movimiento AfroLatino Seattle. Email: Sandra.Huber@verdanthealth.org
ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS OF WASHINGTON
“The primary goal of Mental Health Matters of Washington is to promote mental health through tailored health education, community engagement, resource navigation, and social support.”
Connect with Mental Health Matters at MentalHealthMattersWA.com
ABOUT OUR HOST: Gayle Picken
Gayle is the Founder and Director of the NW Mind Body Spirit Connection events and media–connections and conversations for Living Your Best Life. She loves connecting with community, supporting small business owners, doing yoga, taking impromptu day trip adventures, and dreaming big dreams. She lives in a cozy mountain cabin surrounded by Ponderosa Pines, tucked high above the Teanaway River in Washington state.
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