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NEIL PAREKH'S
LENS ON LIFE BLOG
Thoughts and observations on mental health, technology, social media, photography and more.


Talking About Suicide and Suicidal Ideation Is a Good Thing
Talking about and acknowledging that suicidal ideation and suicide attempts might actually help people who are facing severe depression.
Dawn Helmrich
Oct 22, 2024


Can You Imagine Yourself Stepping in Front of a Bus? I Did.
There have been two times in my life when I experienced passive suicidal ideation. Those thoughts were fleeting, but frightening.
Neil Parekh
Oct 22, 2024


Forever Grateful for My Second Chance
I almost ruined everything in 2015 when severe depression hit and I attempted suicide. Rosie was only 11 years old.
Cindy Hsu
Oct 22, 2024


Ep. 18 Cindy Hsu (WCBS) | Shining Light on Shadows: Real Talk About Suicide Attempts and Ideation
This might be the most challenging episode of “Shining Light on Shadows” that we have hosted so far. Join us for a VERY candid conversation.
Neil Parekh
Oct 22, 2024


Nature Photography Keeps Me Healthy, Happy and Focused
When I am out on my walks…I let everything flow and things just develop right in front of me as I am observing and absorbing nature.
Steffen Kaplan
Aug 20, 2024


A Candid Conversation With My Daughter About Mental Health
It’s never too early to talk about difficult issues with your child. You may be surprised at how well it goes.
Neil Parekh
Jul 9, 2024


Ep. 7 Kate Easton | Shining Light on Shadows: Parenting a Child with Mental Health Challenges
We'll focus on the challenges of parenting a child with mental illness. Kate’s son: bipolar disorder. Dawn’s son: social anxiety.
Neil Parekh
May 6, 2024


My Son’s Struggle With Social Anxiety and the Difficulty of Getting Help
I think my son was 12 or 13, a new middle schooler, when I realized that he was more than just a kid having a bad day at school.
Dawn Helmrich
May 6, 2024


When Your Child Struggles with Bipolar, Everyone Struggles
My son, at the age of 16, was grappling with challenges that seemed to grow more daunting by the day.
Kate Easton
May 6, 2024


My Advocacy Journey
Each time I tell a piece of my story, I know that someone will benefit from my words, and that is all that matters to me.
Dawn Helmrich
Apr 23, 2024


A Mental Health Journey From Action to Advocacy
I found that engaging in advocacy work helped to combat feelings of powerlessness and helped me rebuild a sense of agency and control.
Kat Klawes
Apr 23, 2024


Ep. 6 Kat Klawes | Shining Light on Shadows
Our conversation will focus on the mental health toll on advocates for survivors of sexual assault and abuse.
Neil Parekh
Apr 23, 2024


Representation Matters for the South Asian Community
In general, mental health challenges are underreported in the South Asian community. That’s not surprising for an immigrant community.
Neil Parekh
Apr 7, 2024


A Daughter’s Rape, A Mother’s Cancer
My mom and I had a tight-knit relationship. I know a lot of people can say that about their moms, but ours was bonded by trauma so thick.
Dawn Helmrich
Apr 7, 2024


Telling my Mom’s Story AND Caring for Her
I am making this film because I want people to understand that South Asian families also struggle with depression, caregiving and more.
Indira Somani
Apr 7, 2024


Ep. 5 Indira Somani | Shining Light on Shadows
Our conversation will focus on mental health in the South Asian community, and separately, the challenges of caregiving.
Neil Parekh
Apr 7, 2024

Ep. 4 Bryan Miller | Shining Light on Shadows
Our focus will be on coping with and managing depression in the workplace. We’ll also touch on the role pharmacology can play.
Neil Parekh
Mar 24, 2024


The Onset of a Depression that Almost Took Everything
For those grappling with depressive illness, life is largely about showing up. Social interactions can be exquisitely painful...
Bryan Miller
Mar 24, 2024

Compassion and Empathy in the Workplace
I was afraid that they would realize my sick time wasn't sick time, but time I needed to care for my mental well-being.
Dawn Helmrich
Mar 24, 2024


Depression in the Workplace and When Working From Home
People who suffer from anxiety, depression or other mental health challenges are often called good actors.
Neil Parekh
Mar 24, 2024
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