Episode 2

full
Published on:

18th May 2020

Dr. PAX and the Good Behavior Game – Makes Perfect Prevention Sense!

Dennis D. Embry, Ph.D. is the CEO, Founder, and senior scientist at PAXIS Institute in Tucson Arizona and a co-investigator at Johns Hopkins Center for Prevention as well as co-investigator with the Promise Neighborhood Research Consortium, the University of Manitoba, University of South Carolina - Overseeing 50 major prevention projects in the US and Canada.

Dr. Embry has personally created multiple interventions using both cultural wisdom and leading edge science to prevent multiple problems including ATOD. He has engaged in work with First People in New Zealand, the United States and Canada. He uses cultural wisdom and anthropology to inform choices of scientific strategies to better the lives of children, adolescents, families, and groups. His projects focus on simple strategies that lead to big changes. Growing up in considerable adversity and deemed “educable mentally retarded”, he uses his experiences to inform his work and tell the story of possibility for prevention for all. 

In this episode, we discover more of the PAX good behavior game and the Paxis Institute. The story where it all began and why Dr. Embry started the initiative. Not to mention how we can effectively reach young children and their families through the PAXIS good behavior game.

What You'll Learn

What is PAXIS, and what they do?

Learn more about the ways PAX Science is implemented in communities. 

The resources available to individuals, families, organizations, and communities who are interested to access their products and services.

And much more!

Favorite Quote

“People have no idea that childhood psychiatric disorders can be prevented for the lifetime but we have now a whole bunch of randomised trials showing that it's true.” - Dr. Dennis Embry 

For More Information: 

Dr. Dennis Embry

CEO and Founder

PAXIS Institute

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About the Podcast

The Optimistic Advocate
Making a difference in advocating for better mental health services for children and families
Hello, and welcome to the Optimistic Advocate! The Podcast that brings you just a bit closer to recognizing your full potential as an advocate for change – yours, mine, and everyone's! I’m your host, Scott, Bryant-Comstock, and I’m CEO and founder of the Children’s Mental Health Network. For the past 40 years, my journey as a mental health advocate has traveled from volunteering at a suicide and crisis center, professional roles as a therapist in an outpatient clinic, in-home family therapist, state mental health official, Board Chair for a county mental health program, and national reviewer of children’s mental health systems reform efforts. As the founder of the Children’s Mental Health Network (2009), I lead the Network’s efforts to grow a national online forum for the exchange of ideas on how to continually improve children’s mental health research, policy, and practice.

This podcast features conversations with inspiring advocates who help individuals and families make positive changes in their lives and communities across the globe. The episodes typically run from 45 – 60 minutes in length, so give yourself some room to breathe and get inspired when you listen to these. Who knows this could be the gamechanger that will unleash the advocate in you. You won’t regret it!

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Go to theoptimisticadvocate.com/listen and choose the podcast player of your choice. Remember, as you dive into the episodes, never forget to stay optimistic, listen attentively, have a plan, and follow through.

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About your host

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Scott Bryant-Comstock

For the past 49 years, my journey as a mental health advocate has spanned working at a suicide and crisis center, as a therapist in an outpatient clinic, an in-home family therapist, a state mental health official, Board Chair for a county mental health program, and a national reviewer of children's mental health systems reform efforts. As the founder of the Children's Mental Health Network (2009), I led the Network's efforts to grow a national online forum for the exchange of ideas on how to continually improve children's mental health research, policy, and practice. The Network ceased operation in 2024 and I am now devoting my efforts to assisting those nearing transition as an end of life doula. The advocacy gene remains as strong as ever!

Enjoy this archive of the Optimistic Advocate podcast and be inspired by the amazing group of individuals I had to honor of speaking with.