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Nov. 7, 2024

A Proactive Approach to Mental Health

A Proactive Approach to Mental Health
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What if we could equip young people—and ourselves—with the tools to handle mental health challenges before they happen? Erin Harris, founder of Undo Mindset, shares her powerful journey from surviving a school shooting to creating a nonprofit dedicated to reshaping mental health care. Erin’s experience as a teacher in a traumatic crisis sparked a mission to make mental health skills as essential as reading and math in schools, giving students the resilience to face life’s ups and downs. Through Undo Mindset, Erin’s proactive approach targets underserved communities, first responders, and transient populations, ensuring that everyone has access to the tools they need to thrive.

In this conversation, Erin explores why our traditional, reactive mental health systems aren’t enough to address today’s crisis—and why building resilience early on is crucial. For parents, she offers practical strategies to keep mental health discussions open, honest, and meaningful in a tech-driven world that often complicates emotional wellbeing. Don’t miss this inspiring episode to learn how proactive mental health care can empower individuals and create a stronger foundation for future generations. Tune in to discover how a proactive approach can be a game-changer for all of us.

BIO: 

Erin Harris has proudly worked as an educator in 9 different schools in her 15 year educational career. These opportunities allowed her to work in neighborhood schools, charter schools, turn-around schools, start-up schools, schools in more economically struggling communities, and schools in more affluent areas.  These differing experiences gave Erin the opportunity to truly see a wide range of schools, systems, programs, what was working, and where our gaps are within the educational system. Erin brings her diverse teaching background to each class taught, providing each student with supports needed to meet their diverse needs.


​One of the greatest gaps Erin has observed in her career is the need to support students with making their thought process a productive and positive experience.  She has observed how kids are being exposed to so much adult information and knowledge but don't have the mindset skills needed to support the thought process that goes with that exposure.  She is passionate about teaching kids the skills needed to efficiently bridge this gap within their own thought patterns.


After being in a school shooting, our founder, Erin, sought trauma recovery assistance. Through this process, she learned an immense amount of mental health skills. The problem was that the program she attended was for adults only. Sick of seeing our country's reactive approach to mental health, the idea for Un/do was born - teaching proactive mindset skills so our youth have these tools in their back pockets prior to experiencing crisis. 


When not pursuing her dreams or working in the education world, Erin can be found exploring the mountains with her family.  Originally from DC, Erin, her husband, Jeremy, and her two children, Logan and Emi, have been calling Colorado home for a decade. They love to snowboard, ski, hike, mountain bike, raft, camp, SUP, and just about every other fun activity the beautiful mountains have to offer us.


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Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. Listeners are encouraged to seek guidance from qualified professionals for their specific situations.