Building the Raft While Drowning: Searching for Mental Health Help & Hope in Rural America
Born out of a personal quest to understand and navigate the complicated system of behavioral health, podcast host and ND's Public Policy Ambassador for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Sarah Dixon-Hackey, offers listeners an opportunity to hear firsthand stories of providers and advocates working in the trenches of the mental health crisis. Guests are given a platform to share the ways they are making an impact, community resources for navigating behavioral health, and a better understanding of the ways in which public policy shapes our current system.
Building the Raft While Drowning: Searching for Mental Health Help & Hope in Rural America
Understanding Mental Health Across Cultures: A Conversation with Aline Muhimpundu, LAC
In this episode, I sit down with Aline Muhimpundu, a licensed addiction counselor, to explore what it truly means to provide culturally competent mental health care for individuals from diverse backgrounds—especially refugees and New Americans.
Aline shares thoughtful insights on how mental health and substance use are viewed in different cultures, and how those perspectives can shape the way people seek help—or don’t. We talk about the importance of cultural humility in counseling, and Aline offers practical tips for recognizing signs and symptoms of mental health or substance use challenges in people who may express distress in unfamiliar or culturally specific ways.
Whether you're a mental health professional, someone working with resettled communities, or simply curious about how culture influences care, this conversation is a must-listen.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, call or text 988. For additional mental health resources visit any of the following links:
