Mental Health Conversations
Join Director Erica C. Crawley for meaningful conversations with community leaders, behavioral health professionals, advocates, and individuals with lived experience. Together, they explore mental health, wellness, substance use, recovery, prevention, family support, and the power of community connection.
NEWEST CONVERSATION
A Conversation with Phadra McCray
Phadra McCray, M.Ed., MSW, LISW
Staff Support Clinician – Employee Mental Health
Nationwide Children’s Hospital
In this conversation, Director Erica C. Crawley and Phadra McCray discuss how families, educators, coaches, mentors, and community partners can build a strong circle of support for young people as they begin a new school year.
Phadra shares practical guidance for recognizing changes in sleep, eating, mood, communication, friendships, and screen use; creating safe spaces for honest conversations; and responding thoughtfully when a child may be experiencing stress or trauma.
They also explore caregiver self-awareness, healthy routines, mentorship, and the importance of looking beneath a young person’s behavior. The discussion emphasizes how anxiety, embarrassment, loneliness, or fear may appear as anger or withdrawal—and why adults should avoid labels that can shape how children are viewed and how they see themselves.
