Hey humans, on this episode, I talk with Kristen Genovese, CEO of Not My Kid, as part one of a two-part series discussing the critical intersection of mental health, the fentanyl crisis, and its impact on children and families. Kristen shares her extensive background in behavioral health and her journey to Not My Kid, emphasizing the organization's focus on prevention and early intervention. I am on the board of Not My Kid, and as those of you who know my background, this is a critical area of personal and professional focus for me, too. We discuss the evolving nature of the opioid crisis and the importance of adapting support systems to meet the changing needs of families.

Our conversation gets into the challenges of addressing substance use and mental health issues, particularly in the context of generational trauma and the stigma surrounding these struggles.

We talk in specific about connecting these resources both within communities and workplaces to go beyond conventional workplace resources like Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), which often fall short in providing adequate support.

We also talk about "Not My Kid" celebrating its 25th anniversary and focusing on expanding its reach and impact in the next 25 years. They are developing a full continuum of care model that includes prevention, intervention, and treatment, as well as family navigation services. The organization is also adapting its approach to engage with parents and children in the digital age as well.

Again, this is part one of two, and the next episode will further explore the mental health crisis and actionable steps for parents, grandparents, and employers to support children.

Stacie

More episodes at StacieBaird.com.

Links to Kristen Genovese and NotMyKid.org

Kristen's LinkedIn Page | NotMyKid.org Website