In The Upward Spiral, neuroscientist Alex Korb demystifies the neurological processes in the brain that cause depression and offers effective ways to get better--one little step at a time. In the book, you'll discover that there isn't "one big solution" that will solve your depression. Instead, there are dozens of small, practical things you can do to alleviate your symptoms and start healing. Some are as simple as relaxing certain muscles to reduce feelings of anxiety while others involve making small efforts toward more positive social interactions. Small steps in the right direction can have profound effects--giving you the power literally to "reshape" your brain.

Join us virtually for an in-depth conversation featuring Shonda Buchanan about her book Black Indian. Buchanan’s memoir is an inspiring story that explores her family’s legacy of being African Americans with American Indian roots and how they dealt with not just society’s ostracization but the consequences of this dual inheritance.

Join us virtually for a four-part speaker series about serious mental illness; what it is, how it is treated, what its’ effect is on families and what could or should be different. This is the second event and our host, Angie Coiro will be speaking with Dr. Cassandra Joubert, author of Losing Control: Loving a Black Child with Bipolar Disorder. Dr. Joubert takes us on her courageous journey of raising her daughter with Bipolar Disorder.

Join us virtually for a four-part speaker series about serious mental illness; what it is, how it is treated, what its’ effect is on families and what could or should be different. This is the first event and our host, Angie Coiro will be speaking with Anna Lembke, psychiatrist, and New York Times Best Selling Author of Dopamine Nation. Dr. Lembke intricately weaves the scientific discoveries and research around dopamine and its effect on the brain, with her personal experiences working with patients who face addiction, anxiety, and depression.

This is the final event of the speaker series "Storytellers on Schizophrenia" presented by Mental Health Association of San Mateo County (MHA). After receiving positive reviews of our three part Storyteller Series, MHA is proud to present an additional speaker, Miriam "Mimi" Feldman, artist and author of "He Came in With It: A Portrait of Motherhood and Madness". In a in-depth virtual conversation with Angie Coiro, Ms. Feldman discusses her book about her son Nick, who was diagnosed with Schizophrenia when he was a teenager, and mental illness; what it is, how it is treated, the effect it has on families and what could or should be different.

This final event of a three part speaker series "Storytellers on Schizophrenia", presented by Mental Health Association of San Mateo County, features Mindy Greiling, a former Minnesota lawmaker, and author of "Fix What You Can: Schizophrenia and a Lawmaker's Fight for Her Son." Greiling tells the story of trying to get care for her son Jim, diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder in his early twenties. She quickly discovered the gaps in the system, pushed for more mental health funding and helped found the nation's first state bipartisan mental health caucus.

Randye Kaye is a voice-over artist, radio host, actress, singer, and author of "Ben Behind His Voices: One Family's Journey from the Chaos of Schizophrenia to Hope." Kaye, in conversation with Host Angie Coiro, discusses her book in depth and shares her family's story with her son, Ben, who has schizophrenia, and explains that most people are afraid of Ben, and don't treat him with the respect he deserves. Randye Kaye is fighting hard to broaden the discussion and break down stigma around people with schizophrenia. Kaye encourages families to stay together and find strength while accepting the reality of a loved one's illness. This is the second part of the three-part speaker series "Storytellers on Schizophrenia" presented by Mental Health Association of San Mateo County.

A conversation about schizophrenia with Nathan Filer, award-winning author of "The Shock of the Fall" and "The Heartland: Finding and Losing Schizophrenia." Filer helps the audience understand why what we think we know about schizophrenia is wrong and why we need to move the mental health conversation beyond stigma. "Storytellers on Schizophrenia" is a three-part speaker series presented by Mental Health Association of San Mateo County.

A partnership of Community Advocacy Through Art (CATA) and the Mental Health Association of San Mateo County. This video explores the issue of homelessness and mental health and the nonprofits that address the issue and work collaboratively to bring awareness through art and storytelling. CATA is a project of the Redwood City Parks and Arts Foundation. Learn more at projectcata.com and mhasmc.org Filmed and Edited by Ana Avendano