Episode 10

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Published on:

9th Sep 2020

Reflections on the Joker’s Popularity and What America Can Learn From Gotham City’s Mental Health System: An Interview With Micah Howe

Micah Howe is a dedicated mental health advocate from rural Iowa. He is a strong advocate and a rising voice for those with lived experience. He was supposed to speak at the 33rd Annual Research and Policy Conference in March 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic put a halt to the conference.

The Iconic Clown: Reflections on the Joker’s Popularity as the Personification of Mental Illness and What America Can Learn From Gotham City’s Mental Health System

The Joker has become a hot-button character in the last few years as it relates to mental illness and mass violence. But why? What is it about this villain that has garnered so much attention, and what might the Batman series teach us about psychosocial and political solutions to problems of behavioral health in society?

In this episode, Micah candidly shares his journey through mental health treatment and support and his evolution as an advocate. He provides some great tips for those with mental illness, their families, and loved ones.

What You'll Learn

  • The resources and support groups that are available to people with mental health illness and their families in Gotham City
  • A profound reflection on Micah's presentation: Reflections on the Joker’s Popularity as the Personification of Mental Illness and What America Can Learn From Gotham City’s Mental Health System. 
  • Useful tips for people with mental illness, their families, and loved ones coming from Micah's lived experience.
  • And much more!

Favorite Quote

“Advocacy was just natural, you come through such a difficult journey, and finally start to get some breakthroughs.” - Micah Howe

For More Information: 

The International OCD Foundation

The National Alliance on Mental Illness

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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!

I can’t wait for you to join me here on the Optimistic Advocate. Remember to tell all your podcasting friends that the show is available for free in any application that supports podcasts.

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 40 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 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. Through it all, I remain optimistic that the voice of advocates can, and will, be heard. We need strong advocates now, more than ever!

If you're like most of my listeners, you're committed to making significant contributions to your work and seeing sustainable change. But it's not easy–you know it, and I know it. Let's face it - it's downright hard! My passion is helping to shape policy and practice in children's mental health, and my mission is to introduce you to innovative efforts taking place across the nation that are making a difference in the lives of children and families.