Today we have a special Christmas Eve episode of Beyond Risk and Back. The holidays can be a stressful time, especially for those who suffer or have loved ones who suffer from OCD and disassociative disorders.

Erik Da Rosa stands as a beacon of connection and understanding in the realm of mental health advocacy. His journey began with heartfelt exchanges, like the one with his guest Johnny during the first year of his venture—an encounter that was both enlightening and pivotal. Having candid conversations with individuals facing real battles—like Johnny, who navigated the complexities of OCD—Erik found solace and kinship in sharing stories of personal struggles, compulsions, and rituals.

Laughter was woven into these dialogues, not to diminish the gravity of their experiences, but to bring a sense of lightness to otherwise challenging discussions. Erik's approach emphasizes the significance of humor as a tool to ease into tough topics, a philosophy that resonates particularly with parents navigating these conversations with their children. His ability to strike a balance between the serious and the lighthearted marks the unique approach Erik brings to mental health awareness—a blend of empathy, levity, and a deep-seated desire to make difficult conversations accessible to everyone.

Erik tells us his story of dealing with his mental struggles, and how therapy and self-awareness have allowed him to maintain a functional and fulfilling lifestyle. Erik is the host of a popular podcast From Survivor To Thriver, where he and his co-host talk openly about their struggles.

"Each week, Erik and Marc tackle different mental health topics through honest and relatable “kitchen table” conversations with real people who are helping to shatter mental health stigmas and find their voices. We aim to normalize discussions around mental health topics and remind our audience they are not alone, there is strength in community, and “it’s perfectly ok to not always be ok.”

check out his website and podcast here https://fromsurvivortothriver.com/

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/from-survivor-to-thriver/id1551758201

For free support join our private Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/parentingteensthatstruggle. For parenting resources or to book a coaching session go to parentingeensthatstruggle.com. Contact Aaron directly at aaron@firemountainprograms.com. To see all of our pages go to linktr.ee/beyondriskandback.

Thank you to Magic Mind for sponsoring this episode, you can purchase them on Amazon, through their website, and now at Sprouts https://magicmind.com/?view=shoplift_variant_hp&selling_plan=858325126

Thanks to Johnny Crowder and Prison for allowing us to use their music