About the Guest(s):
Riley Cochran is a professional deeply embedded in the realm of mental health, particularly focused on youth well-being and violence intervention. With a background marked by personal challenges and resilience, Riley found his calling in helping young people navigate through the complexities of life. His methods deviate from the conventional 'office-bound' therapist model, favoring a community-based approach that includes meetups in schools, homes, and even casual settings like a basketball court. Riley is recognized for his authentic interactions and commitment to offering real-world solutions, which have solidified his place as a credible figure in his field.
Episode Summary:
In this enlightening episode of the Credible Messenger podcast, host Jonathan McMillan engages in an in-depth dialogue with mental health professional Riley Cochran. Touching on personal experiences and professional insights, they explore the intricate panorama of mental health support, community safety, and the profound impact of building genuine connections for effective violence intervention strategies.
The narrative dives into the pragmatic aspects of mental health work beyond traditional settings, emphasizing the importance of meeting youth where they live and breathe. Discussions extend to the critical role of therapy in the context of firearm violence. Riley unveils his strategies for approaching mental health in practical terms, reinforcing the criticality of relationship-building and self-reflection in facilitating behavior change. The discourse also delves into reimagining mental health support in the face of firearm-related crises and the potential evolution of the field.
Key Takeaways:
Mental health work's evolution: The field is moving towards more authentic and real-world engagement, focusing on establishing connections in an individual's natural environment.
Prevention over intervention: Proactive conversations and forming trusting relationships can prevent crises from escalating.
Trauma and behavior: Riley underscores the pivotal link between trauma and protection-related behaviors, advocating for approaches that address the core rather than symptoms.
Hope as a catalyst: Instilling hope and exposing youth to opportunities can be more transformative than focusing solely on risk prevention.
Community's role: Everyone can contribute to the mental health and well-being of society by addressing their own issues and modeling healthy behaviors.
Notable Quotes:
"I'm here for court… But to be honest, I'm here to figure out what's going on with you and figure out something with you." - Riley
"Hurt people, hurt people." - Jonathan, quoting a common phrase.
"Trauma isn't just losing somebody, it's losing these experiences." - Riley
Resources:
Riley Cochran's Instagram: @Mr.Mindflex
Riley Cochran on LinkedIn: Riley Cochran
Riley's company (name subject to change): Resolute Youth Services
Join us in this insightful episode to delve into the practical application of mental health strategies in preventing violence among youth and uncover the value of relationship-building and authenticity in effective intervention. Stay tuned for more profound conversations on the Credible Messenger podcast.
0:00:00
Introduction to the Credible Messenger podcast
0:01:05
Riley's background and passion for working with young people
0:04:53
Personal experiences that motivated Riley's work
0:08:09
Path to becoming a mental health professional and therapist
0:11:52
Importance of building meaningful relationships with young people
0:13:08
The evolving field of mental health and the day-to-day work of Riley
0:13:46
Jonathan asks Riley about his work and what a day in his life looks like
0:14:24
Riley describes his day, which includes driving to schools, checking in, and having deep conversations
0:15:13
Riley talks about the importance of understanding a person's support system and creating a safe space for meaningful conversations
0:15:54
Riley challenges the traditional approach of therapy and emphasizes the need to meet people where they are
0:16:39
Riley explains how young people have deep conversations in casual settings like cars or parks
0:17:53
Riley shares examples of different approaches he uses with different individuals, such as shooting hoops or meeting in a room
0:19:04
Riley expresses his preference for real-life connections and moments of crisis for meaningful conversations
0:19:38
Jonathan discusses the gap between academic theory and practical application in the mental health field
0:20:15
Jonathan asks if young people are more open to conversations about mental health
0:21:05
Riley explains that young people are open to mental health discussions once a relationship is established
0:21:38
Riley believes young people today have access to too much information and struggle to decipher what's accurate
0:22:32
Riley challenges the notion of resistance and emphasizes the importance of connecting with young people
0:23:23
Jonathan highlights the importance of building relationships and practical application in mental health
0:24:01
Jonathan asks Riley about his icebreaker when working with young people
0:25:30
Riley's icebreaker involves discussing favorite shoes, music, sports, and tattoos
0:26:29
Riley believes the icebreaker is less important than giving young people the power to reflect on their own lives
0:27:30
Riley emphasizes the importance of empowering young people to evaluate their own lives
0:28:09
Jonathan praises Riley for showing up authentically and using his professional skills to guide behavior change
0:28:09
Jonathan asks about the tactics used in behavior change coaching
0:29:02
Riley explains the importance of understanding trauma and connecting with core causes
0:30:24
Riley discusses the internal family systems approach and understanding destructive behaviors
0:31:37
Riley shares an example of how destructive behaviors can serve a purpose
0:32:39
Jonathan discusses the relationship between trauma and involvement in youth gangs
0:34:20
Jonathan mentions the misdiagnosis of mental illness in the juvenile justice system
0:35:32
Riley emphasizes the importance of doing personal work and providing hope to communities
0:37:22
Riley suggests exposing young people to different opportunities and supporting their dreams
0:40:45
Jonathan asks about the relationship between mental health and firearm violence
0:42:11
Riley discusses the correlation between grief and gun violence
0:42:53
Jonathan asks about the role of social media in mental health
0:43:00
Riley describes social media as a gift and a curse, and the potential for self-work
0:43:32
The gift and curse of social media: access to resources vs. comparison
0:45:07
The importance of managing social media content for a positive experience
0:46:47
Protocol for dealing with a young person in crisis with access to firearms
0:48:41
Building trust and having difficult conversations preventatively
0:50:35
The importance of managing emotions in crisis situations
0:51:12
Getting to know Riley through the segment "What's the word?"
0:55:51
Riley's career path if not in mental health
0:56:16
Riley's height and icebreaker
0:57:34
Jonathan's perspective on Riley as a credible messenger
0:58:40
Riley's message to those interested in meaningful work
0:59:22
Don't let uncertainty stop you from stepping into this space
1:00:10
We can all do this work, it takes a village
1:00:59
Young people have the answers, we need to give them a platform
1:02:10
Connect with Riley on Instagram or through Resolute Youth Services
1:03:55
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