Episode 01: The Mental Health Mixtape
Meet our Mixers: A Tale of how Dr. Megan McElheran and Ryan Collyer Come to Host the Mixtape
In this episode, Dr. Megan McElheran, our BOS CEO, Founder and Psychologist + Ryan Collyer, our BOS Lead who was a retired paramedic, engage in a heartfelt dialogue, delving into their paths leading to their roles in mental health support.
Dr. Megan McElheran shares her journey of growing up with parents who are psychologists, and yet she was avoiding this work for a long time. Until one day, she surrendered to the calling and started to dive into her work in mental health. Throughout her journey, she recounts several pivotal moments where surrendering became a necessary and challenging lesson. These experiences became instrumental in shaping her current beliefs and approach towards her work.
Ryan Collyer embarked on his mental health journey under the guidance of a mentor who offered him tremendous support. Rooted in mindfulness practices tailored for first responders, Ryan perseveres in his path through a dedicated meditation routine, focusing on cultivating compassion, kindness, and self-awareness.
In this conversation, they exchange perspectives on nurturing compassion towards first responders who are grappling with mental health challenges. Rather than scrutinizing individuals for perceived shortcomings, they advocate for a shift in focus, urging a view that seeks to understand the experiences that shaped them. Their conversation emphasizes embracing empathy, kindness, and compassion as guiding principles, aiming to reshape how mental health within first responders is approached.