Natasha Helfer Parker interviews Administrator Pam Hyde, J.D. from SAMHSA, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, a public health agency within the Department of Health and Human Services. They discuss a variety of mental health and substance abuse issues that affect our society as a whole, including a discussion on how those within the Mormon faith can be better equipped to deal with the individual and familial concerns that come up within congregations and faith-based communities. This is a particularly good podcast for anyone in a leadership position (stake presidencies, bishoprics, relief society presidencies, young women/men presidencies and primary presidencies) to listen to from an educational perspective as to different mental health concerns that could be occurring in any stake, ward or brach unit. Ms. Hyde points out that it is often faith leaders who are first responders to situations dealing with mental health and substance abuse crisis. She also shares statistics that help us understand that we are all affected, either personally or through family members/friends, when it comes to these health concerns.
Pamela Hyde was nominated by President Barack Obama and confirmed by the U.S. Senate in November 2009 as Administrator of SAMHSA. The agency’s mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America’s communities. Ms. Hyde is an attorney and comes to SAMHSA with more than 35 years experience in management and consulting for public healthcare and human services agencies. She has served as a state mental health director, state human services director, city housing and human services director, as well as CEO of a private non-profit managed behavioral healthcare firm. In 2003 she was appointed cabinet secretary of the New Mexico Human Services Department by Gov. Bill Richardson, where she worked effectively to provide greater access to quality health services for everyone. Ms. Hyde received her J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School (1976) and her B.A. from Missouri State University (1972).
It was an honor to have Administrator Hyde be willing to come on to our show with her desire to reach out to our LDS community and share such important and relevant information.
SAMHSA-sponsored National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK (8255) — a toll-free confidential number where people in crisis can immediately be connected to a skilled, trained counselor at a crisis center in their area, anytime 24/7.
Community Conversations about Mental Health
Information for Faith-Based and Community Leaders
Faith-Based Organizations Fact Sheet
Many thanks to The Lower Lights for the beautiful bumper music and to James Estrada of Oak Street Audio for audio production of this podcast.
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