Natasha Helfer Parker interviews Laurie Mohlman, an LDS therapist and member of the Mormon Mental Health Association, who works with women on parole from the Utah state prison system. They discuss many different topics including how women coming from LDS backgrounds can get involved in activities that lead to doing prison time, the types of themes both in and out of the church that these women struggle with, the types of help the Church offers women as they integrate back into society, and most interestingly the women's perspectives themselves on why on the one hand they report loving the church and the support they feel while at the same time stating they will never return to their home wards. This will also be a helpful podcast for ward and stake leaders who are trying to support members of their congregations who have experienced such hardships.
Laurie currently works as the Clinical Therapist at Orange Street Community Correctional Center, a halfway house in Salt Lake City, providing substance abuse and trauma therapy to women on parole from the Utah State Prison. She also works in private practice in Springville, Utah.
Natasha Helfer Parker interviews Brittny Habibti and Ashley Judd Errington, two Mormon women who participated in the Black Lives Matter protest that took place in Baton Rouge, LA in July 2016. They were part of the protestors who took refuge on the lawn of a woman who gave them permission to be on her private property, and yet the police dressed in riot gear pushed past and arrested many of those present. Brittny and Ashley speak to their experiences, resulting in PTSD symptoms for months to come... as well as to why this movement exists... why this remains such an important dialogue to be having... and the implications for Mormons in particular when it comes to addressing racial issues within our faith community. This is a particularly timely podcast with February being Black History Month.
Natasha Helfer Parker interviews Ruth Halstead, an LDS therapist and member of the Mormon Mental Health Association, whose work helping people who self-injure was featured in an article in the Chicago Tribune last March, 'Cutters' and self-abusers now have support in NWI. Natasha and Ruth cover helpful information that can be used as a resource for those who deal with this issue, as well as their family, friends and ecclesiastical & auxiliary leaders who want to offer support. They also address ways that aspects of Mormon culture/practice can both be assets and problematic in regards to this theme. This podcast is helpful in providing resources for anyone wanting to use March 1st, Self-Injury Awareness Day, as a way of bringing attention and education to this relevant topic.
Note: this podcast was recorded fall of 2016 prior to President Nelson's statements that the policy affecting LGBT members was "revelation."
Cornell University Self Injury and Recovery Research and Resources (SIRRR)