Episode 1: Mindfulness and its Benefits to Mental Health for College Students

Hosted by R S, this introductory episode explores mindfulness and its benefits on the mental health of college students. While adults in the real world regularly deal with life changing events that can be difficult to cope with, college students have an added layer of stress. Studying, exams, and the competitive nature of academic performance, are par for the course, but it’s important to remember that students may also be dealing with the tremendous transition of becoming an adult and developing their identity on their own for the first time. They may be dealing with family issues, raising children, finances, career change, and other transitions throughout the various stages of life. In the current climate of the COVID-19 pandemic, social unrest, and world conflict, it is especially important to remember that the added isolation can contribute to a deep sadness, confusion, loneliness, and sometimes even anger for all who are simply trying to get through their college level studies.

Episode 2: Major depression for people on the autism spectrum is not unusual, according to a meta-analysis of 66 studies published in January in the New York Times: Individuals with autism are four times more likely than neurotypical individuals to experience depression over the course of their lives, although scientists are unsure why. Their rates of depression rise with intelligence and with age. In fact, says Carla Mafetsky associate professor of psychiatry and psychology at the University of Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania, more than 70 percent of youth with autism have mental health conditions, including depression and anxiety, and these are thought to often persist or worsen into adulthood. There is hope though. An evidenced-based practice known as mindfulness is a way to treat anxiety and depression. Listen to the podcast to hear from Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Stephanie Romberg and Mindfulness expert Dr. Sepideh Yeoh on practicing mindfulness can improve the mental health of individuals, especially youth, with autism.

Episode 3: Mindfulness and its Benefits to Mental Health for U.S. Military Veterans

In our third episode of Stepping into Mindfulness, Host, Dr. Sepideh Yeoh, interviews LT Raymond Maturino, U.S.Navy (Retired), and 28 year military veteran, whose active duty service was filled with sacrifice, commitments, and traumatic events that may be similar and shared by countless military veterans, from all generations.  The interview explores LT Raymond Maturino’s military experience, transition to civilian life, marriage, children, and education. Furthermore, this episode introduces how mindfulness and its benefits on mental health could have life changing, positive impacts on military veterans, which helps them deal with their day to day lives.

Due to the sensitivity of events and those who sacrificed, to defend freedom and democracy around the world, LT, USN (Retired) Raymond Maturino’s accounts on active duty service is shared as a personal reflection that continues to influence behaviors, thoughts, and emotions.  Host, Dr. Yeoh, as our Resident Mindfulness expert, conducts the interview in search of opportunities to teach U.S. military veterans, how to apply mindfulness and seek help from many resources available for veterans.

Episode 4: Mindfulness begins with you, practicing the art of “just being” in every step and with every breath.

Hosted by Dr. Sepideh Yeoh, Author, Leadership Coach, CSBA Governance Educator and Consultant, this episode provides an overview of mindfulness, its history and origin. While the practice of mindfulness has been in existence in the Eastern cultures for many decades, it is slowly gaining more respect in the Western culture as a research-based technique to manage various aspects of life. The recent events since COVID-19 and the transition to remote working and schooling has made the need for mindful practices, more critical. Working in isolation can be challenging and on top of that long hours of being “on” in front of the camera when every move and gesture is noticed, adds another layer of challenge. Another layer of challenge is the fatigue and exhaustion resulting from increased screen time leading to disconnection and disengagement.  In our previous face to face working environment, which seems like a lifetime ago, the human interactions and the physical movement and commute created separation and spaces from being “on”.

Dr. Yeoh’s approach is simple. She encourages all who cross paths with her, to practice the art of “just being”. She promotes physical and mental wellness by being present and take full notice of feelings and emotions, acknowledging them and allowing them to be without judging or labeling. Sepideh’s experiences living and working abroad has given her a unique perspective and simple approach to peace and happiness.