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Episode 041: An Action Plan for Mental Health with Christy Buck

August 29, 2018

So often when we talk about our health and wellness we focus on our physical bodies. We talk about things like diet and exercise. In this episode, we’re focusing on a different aspect of wellness: our mental health. Joining Ellie for this conversation is Christy Buck, Executive Director of the Mental Health Foundation of West Michigan.

Christy defines mental health as how we think, how we act, and how we feel. More simply put, it’s how we live, laugh, and love.

Christy provides startling statistics about suicide. She provides ways to recognize if someone might be in danger, and talks about the ripple effect mental illness and suicide can have on a family and a community. She also provides examples of “protective factors” that can help someone experiencing a difficult time pull through.

An amazing and actionable takeaway from this episode is the Mental Health Foundation’s be nice. campaign, which is being rolled out in schools and businesses throughout Michigan (and beyond). Click the link below to learn more, and join Ellie in taking the pledge to do your part to be nice. everyday. As Christy said, you never know when doing so might save a life.

be nice. Action Plan:

  • N – Notice what’s right and what’s good
  • I – Invite yourself to start a conversation
  • C – Challenge the stigma
  • E – Empower yourself and others

In this episode:

  • Meet Christy Buck (2:22)
  • Defining mental health (4:14)
  • The stigma (9:14)
  • About the Mental Health Foundation of West Michigan (12:50)
  • The be nice. Action Plan (18:20)
  • be nice. in Schools (28:00)
  • be nice. Metrics and Goals (31:22)
  • The Ripple Effect (37:40)
  • be nice. in Business (41:03)
  • Resources outside of Michigan (44:26)
  • How to Help (47:38)
  • Bonus Questions (54:45)

Notable & Quotable:

Mental illness is the 10th leading cause of death among adults and the 2nd leading cause of death among 10 to 24 year olds. —Christy Buck #successfulgenerations #mentalhealth


It’s a myth that if I talk about suicide I will put the idea in someone’s head. It’s the opposite—talking about it shows that you care. —Christy Buck #successfulgenerations #mentalhealth


Mental health is how you THINK, how you ACT and how you FEEL. In other words, it’s how you LIVE, LAUGH and LOVE. —Christy Buck #successfulgenerations #mentalhealth


When you notice someone not carrying out their daily activities or not engaging in satisfying relationships, these are clues that someone is dealing with a mental illness. —Christy Buck #successfulgenerations #mentalhealth


When we notice something, we have to ask the tough question, ‘Are you thinking of suicide?’ —Christy Buck #successfulgenerations #mentalhealth


 Be nice everyday. You never know when you’re going to save a life. —Christy Buck #successfulgenerations #mentalhealth


Resources mentioned in this episode:

benice.org

Stomp Out Stigma

Suicide: The Ripple Effect

Take the Pledge

Safe School Institute

Elhart Cares

Be Nice Fund Pentwater

Be Nice Fund Ottawa County

Be Nice Fund Kent County

Guest Bio

Christy Buck is the Executive Director of the Mental Health Foundation of West Michigan. With 30 years experience in the mental health field, Buck’s passion for transforming and saving lives through mental health education led her to develop two classroom programs, ‘Live, Laugh, Love’ for middle and high school students, and ‘be nice.’ Since 2006, she and her staff have passionately presented to over 100,000 people in West Michigan on mental health awareness, bullying and suicide prevention. Christy regularly delivers speaking engagements to community and business groups on mental health awareness. She is certified in Mental Health First Aid and has been recognized as one of the top 100 in the country.

Buck serves on the Grandville School Board and is involved with numerous community organizations and coalitions. Buck was honored with 2012 Grandville’s Distinguished Person of the Year Award , the Peacemaker Award from the Dispute Resolution Center of West Michigan in 2014, 2017 Hometown Hero from the American Red Cross, 2017 Athena Finalist, 2017 Art Van Charity of Hope Award, and most recently 2018 50 Most Influential Women In West Michigan. She is a graduate of Michigan State University.

 

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Want more of Successful Generations? Check out our other episodes: 

Episode 040: My Journey to Coaching with Ellie Frey Zagel
Episode 039: Selecting the Right Trustee with Attorney Mark Harder
Episode 038: Standing Up in a Male-Dominated Industry with René Banglesdorf
Replay: Answering the Question I’m Always Asked About Philanthropy
Replay: How My Parents Raised Us to Be Business Smart with Paige Cornetet
Episode 037: Making Your Mark on the Family Business with Cara Mackay
Episode 036: Financial Literacy, Leadership and Entrepreneurship for Teens with Whitney Webb
Bonus Episode: Power20—My Reflect and Connect Challenge
Episode 035: Great Governance for Your Investment Committee with Becky Wood
Episode 034: Trapped in the Family Business with Dr. Michael Klein, Part 2
Episode 033: Trapped in the Family Business with Dr. Michael Klein, Part 1
Episode 032: Spendthrift or Tightwad with Dr. Scott Rick
Episode 031: Impact Investing with Jennifer Oertel
Episode 030: Holistic Weight Management with Cynthia Damaskos
Episode 029: Giving Back Through Giving Circles with Dr. Jason Franklin
Episode 028: The Family Business Podcast with Russ Haworth
Episode 027: The Power of Mindset with Dr. Nancy Jonker
Episode 026: Reflections from Four Decades in Philanthropy with Rob Collier
Episode 025: Power20—10 Ways to Set Your NextGen Up for Success in the Family Enterprise
Episode 024: Pump it Up! Strength Training and Leadership Development
Episode 023: Leadership Development and Agility with Greg McCann
Episode 022: Getting Started in Philanthropy with Colleen Mitchell
Episode 021: Taking Over the Family Business with Mitchell Kaneff
Episode 020: Women and Wealth w/ Adrienne Penta
Episode 019: The Allyn Family 2.0, Part 2
Episode 018: The Welch Allyn Family Business Story with Eric Allyn (4th Gen), Part 1
Episode 017: Achieving Your Goals through MasterMind and Peer Groups
Episode 016: Reframing Limiting Beliefs with Ellie Frey Zagel
Episode 015: Beyond the Piggy Bank with Father, Author, and Entrepreneur Clint Greenleaf
Episode 014: More Awareness and Less Stress through Yoga
Episode 013: Raising Children to be Amazing Business Owners with Paige Cornetet
Episode 012: Generous Genes with Susan Crites Price
Episode 011: Digging into the Family Business Landscape with Daniel Van Der Vliet
Episode 010: 10 Things My Family Did to Engage us in Family Philanthropy
Episode 009: Stress Management and Holistic Health with Cynthia Damaskos
Episode 008: Family, Fights and Ferry Tales with Chris Shepler
Episode 007: Raising Financially Responsible Kids Through the Holidays (and Beyond)
Episode 006: Join the Philanthropic Revolution with Michael Moody
Episode 005: Estate Planning 101 aka Estate Planning is Not Optional with Susan Gell Meyers 
Episode 004: Ginny Esposito – Engaging your Family in Family Philanthropy
Episode 003: Leadership, Wellness, and Concierge Medicine with Dr. Bill Baer
Episode 002: Douglas D Box, Texas Patriarch – A Legacy Lost
Episode 001: About Your Host Ellie Frey Zagel

Learn more about Successful Generations:

FB: @SuccessfulGenerations
Twitter: @EllieFreyZagel
Email: ellie@successfulgenerations.com
Instagram: SuccessfulGenerations


Have a topic suggestion?

If you are the next generation of family business, philanthropy and wealth, and have a topic you think we should discuss, let us know at Ellie@successfulgenerations.com.

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Ellie Frey Zagel

Ellie Frey Zagel is 3rd Generation, Vice Chair and Trustee of her family’s foundation the Frey Foundation based in Grand Rapids, MI. For nearly a decade she has been deeply involved in working with the next generation of family business, family philanthropy, and family wealth, first as Director of the Family Business Alliance and now as President of Successful Generations, a company she recently founded.

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