Mental Health Rewritten Podcast: Fostering A Community Of Empathy & Support

 It is estimated that more than one in five U.S. adults live with a mental illness (59.3 million in 2022; 23.1% of the U.S. adult population). If those statistics are not bracing enough, consider how difficult it is to receive treatment for mental illness in the U.S. That difficulty extends to people with robust healthcare insurance. 

Several reasons impact the lack of mental health treatment in the U.S. First and foremost, it is the ongoing stigma of admitting that a person needs treatment for mental illness. Second, there is a dearth of mental health providers, and such care is expensive and available only to the well-off. Third, treating mental illness is nothing like handing a patient an antibiotic for an infection. Treatment is often more involved and sustained over a more extended period, even years.

In this mental health crisis in the U.S., and during Mental Health Awareness Month, podcasting brings solutions, as it often does. 

Mental Health Rewritten is a new podcast that delves into the most pressing and often stigmatized topics in mental and behavioral health. It's hosted by the wonderful Dominic Lawson, a x24-award-winning podcaster with an engaging storytelling style. This new podcast aims to break the silence on stigmatized mental health topics.

 Mental Health Rewritten offers a fresh perspective on issues ranging from sex addiction and substance abuse to eating disorders and racial trauma. Each season is thoughtfully structured into themed mini-series, allowing for an in-depth exploration of complex subjects. Guided by the DSM-5, episodes feature candid conversations with experts and individuals with lived experiences, providing listeners with both clinical insights and personal narratives.

Host Lawton says: "Join us biweekly as we challenge societal norms, break down barriers, and rewrite the narrative surrounding mental health. Whether you're a mental health professional, someone with personal experience, or simply interested in understanding the intricacies of the human mind, Mental Health Rewritten offers valuable insights and fosters a community of empathy and support."

 Mental Health Rewritten host Dominic Lawson is a podcaster based in Memphis, Tennessee, with a background as a U.S. Army veteran and business administration graduate. He is known for his podcast work, including The Startup Life and his role at the Beyond Theory podcast for Meadows Behavioral Healthcare. He also launched Recovery Replay and Black Is America, earning awards for his work.

Lawson launched "Black Is America" to highlight lesser-known African American figures and narratives.   

 

Lawson has a business administration degree from National American University and served in the U.S. Army. His work has been recognized with multiple awards, including Communicator Awards for Beyond Theory and W3 Awards for Recovery Replay.

The podcast began in late April with a trailer and then a second brief episode, explaining the tools used during the show. DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition) is the primary diagnostic guide used by mental health professionals in the United States. ICD-11 (International Classification of Diseases, 11th Revision)  developed by the World Health Organization, the ICD-11 classifies all medical conditions worldwide, including mental and behavioral disorders, and is used across many countries for diagnosis, treatment, and insurance coding.

In the first episode, Lawson attacks a controversial topic -- sex addiction. Lawson observes: "In our season-opening episode, we confront one of the most misunderstood and stigmatized topics in mental health: sex addiction. Through the story of Daniel — a man whose professional success masks a deep internal struggle — we explore how compulsive sexual behavior impacts relationships, careers, and personal identity. Along the way, we challenge misconceptions about sex addiction, examine its clinical roots, and highlight the hidden pain it causes across gender lines and around the world."

Dominic Lawson is a superb narrator. His narrative skills are highly developed, and he exudes a level of passion and commitment during the show that should attract listeners. He excels at interviewing guests and recounting tales of patients. He's as real and honest as Dr. Phil is phony and manipulative. 

In the second episode, Lawson introduces Mental Margins, a short-form segment designed to be a more accessible entry point into the show’s deeply emotional, cinematic approach to mental health. These snippets, usually under 15 minutes, distill powerful moments from the full-length episodes to create quick, impactful, and meaningful listening experiences. 

Lawson then tells his listeners: "In this episode, we step into the emotional wreckage caused by betrayal trauma —a psychological rupture that often accompanies the discovery of sex addiction or compulsive sexual behavior in intimate relationships."

I highly recommend Mental Health Rewritten. The show addresses an urgent societal need—mental health treatment. It introduces us to a talented and committed host and mental health expert and, unlike some other podcasts in this genre, doesn't try to manipulate listeners but instead offers practical information. 

As actor Glenn Close once said, "What mental health needs is more sunlight, more candor, and more unashamed conversation."