Connection is powerful. Community is healing. And small acts of care are changing lives.
This Mental Health Awareness Month, we are celebrating the people building belonging and reminding the world that it takes all hands on deck to create lasting change.
Featured Stories
-
Quest for Community with Ally Beardsley
Dragons, Dungeon Masters, and…mental health? D&D is the most popular it’s ever been thanks in part to its inclusivity and space for fostering connection.
"D&D is awesome because you just need one person to learn it a little bit more than everybody else. It’s a really fun, community-based, creative writing exercise that you can do with your friends."
-
Beyond Superheroes with Ethan Sacks
Comic books are more than good vs. evil or radioactive spiders. A Haunted Girl takes on mental health in a way that connects with readers on a whole new level.
“You're going through something that so many other people have gone through and you can get through it together. You can get help. We're all struggling so, let's struggle together.”
-
Lessons in LARPing with Jud Packard
Half Elvin Ranger skills are life skills? Yes, battling fictional monsters with foam swords can teach kids confidence, boundaries, and emotional resilience.
“I want them to get everything they can from us and go into the world and use it to get everything available to them.”
-
Sparkle On with Ryan Wenke
Let’s go to the movies! The Prospector Theater offers it all - gourmet popcorn, the latest releases, and meaningful employment for people with disabilities to share their sparkle.
“Often, when people talk about disability, mental health isn't addressed. For us, mental health is about finding purpose, or perhaps regaining a lost purpose.”
Partnering podcasts:
We’ve partnered with some of the nation’s top podcasts to amplify the voices of these mental health champions. Thank you to the following podcasts for being a part of the mental health movement.
-
Beautiful Stories from Anonymous People
1 phone call. 1 hour. No names. No holds barred. That's the premise behind Beautiful Stories from Anonymous People, hosted by comedian Chris Gethard. Every week, Chris opens the phone line to one anonymous caller, and he can't hang up first, no matter what. From shocking confessions and family secrets to philosophical discussions and shameless self-promotion, anything can and will happen!
-
Blank Check with Griffin and David
Not just another bad movie podcast, Blank Check reviews directors' complete filmographies episode to episode. Specifically, the auteurs whose early successes afforded them the rare ‘blank check’ from Hollywood to produce passion projects. Each new miniseries, hosts Griffin Newman and David Sims delve into the works of film’s most outsized personalities in painstakingly hilarious detail. Produced by Ben Hosley.
-
This Helps Podcast with Marlon Morgan
We already know what helps. Connection is the cure.
This Helps with Marlon Morgan is a podcast about the healing power of human relationships and how we heal in community. Hosted by Marlon Morgan, licensed therapist and Founder and CEO of Wellness Together, Inc, each episode features a meaningful, vulnerable conversation with a guest who helps others and reflects deeply on what helps them.
From leaders in mental health, education, and technology to voices in entertainment and policy, and more, This Helps explores the challenges, tools, and relationships that shape our lives. Together, we’re practicing deep connection, honest reflection, and building hope and resilience.
New episodes every other Thursday.
-
Marvel by the Month
Marvel By the Month is a weekly podcast that takes listeners through the history of Marvel Comics, one month at a time. Lifelong comics nerds Robb Milne, Bryan Stratton, and Jamie Wenger cover the comics, characters, creators, and corporate shenanigans of Marvel throughout its 60+ year history, placing them in the historical context of their times.
-
Screw It, We’re Just Gonna Talk About Comics
COMIC BOOKS! Join Kevin and Will Hines — two brothers, lifelong comics fans and kind of comedians — as they discuss the comics they have loved their whole lives! What we lack in accuracy we make up for in enthusiasm!
-
Yes, Also
In this love letter to improv comedy, comedian Suzi Barrett deep dives with veteran improvisers about their journeys through improv. If you’re a student of improv, you need this podcast. If you’re a superfan of improv, you’ll love this podcast. If you’ve never heard of improv… well, everybody get in here anyway.
Hosted by comedian, mental health advocate, and co-creator of Laughing Together, Chris Gethard shares his inspiring conversations with trailblazing individuals that are changing lives and impacting their communities.
These stories are featured on the podcasts below to celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month.
While Wellness Together is not affiliated with the podcasts, we’re proud to partner in the mission of sharing hope, breaking stigma, and highlighting what’s working.
Thank you to our podcast partners and the incredible individuals behind each of our featured stories!
Quest for Community with Ally Beardsley
Hear more from Ally on Dimension 20.
Dimension 20 is a popular tabletop role-playing game series produced by Dropout and hosted by Brennan Lee Mulligan. The show features diverse campaigns, often using Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition, but also exploring other systems. Each season is a self-contained narrative with a rotating cast of comedians and actors. Known for its creative storytelling, improvisational comedy, and inclusive representation, Dimension 20 has garnered a dedicated fanbase. It has even held live performances at major venues including a sold-out show at Madison Square Garden.
Ally Beardsley
Ally Beardsley is a comedian best known for their roles in various Dropout (formerly known as CollegeHumor) productions, such as CollegeHumor Originals, Game Changer, and Total Forgiveness. They are also known for their roles in Dropout's Dungeons & Dragons actual play series Dimension 20.
Beyond Superheroes with Ethan Sacks
Read A Haunted Girl and other titles from Ethan
A Haunted Girl
Cleo is a 16-year-old Japanese-American struggling with anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts. She faces more challenges as she begins encountering terrifying ghosts after being discharged from the hospital. A Haunted Girl is a supernatural story that delves into the real-life terror of anxiety and depression.
Ethan Sacks
Ethan Sacks is best known in comics as the writer of Marvel’s Old Man Hawkeye, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, and Star Wars: Bounty Hunters. He also wrote the acclaimed nonfiction comics, COVID Chronicles and Climate Crisis Chronicles for AWA Studios, as well as several stories for DC Comics and Dark Horse comics.
-
He recently teamed with his daughter, Naomi, and artist Marco Lorenzana, for the acclaimed Image Comics series, A Haunted Girl, inspired by Naomi's real life battles with depression and suicidality and which was spotlighted by People Magazine, CBS News, and NPR. The father-daughter team recently were named as 2025 Public Education Lifesaver Award Honorees by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Before comics, he was a 20-year veteran at the New York Daily News, covering film and geek culture. He also reported for NBC News for six years.
Lessons in LARPing with Jud Packard
Learn more about Jud & the Wayfinder Experience
The Wayfinder Experience is a live-action role-playing (LARP) camp that uses immersive storytelling and cooperative play to help youth build confidence, leadership skills, and self-awareness. Through character-driven adventures and creative workshops, participants explore identity, form community, and develop life skills - all in a safe, inclusive environment.
Jud Packard
Judson Easton Packard graduated from Kansas State with a Bachelor’s degree in English and from Rutgers with an MFA in Creative Writing. They have been involved with the Wayfinder Experience since 2003 when they first came as a camper. They were on the Rules and Regulations board from 2013-2018. Before that they served the community by serving on the Hiring Board, and working every event they were given the opportunity to. They believe in hill trolls and LARP because the costumes bring out their eyes. In 2023 Judson became an owner as well.
Sparkle On with Ryan Wenke
Ryan Wenke
After receiving a Bachelor’s Degree at Emerson College, Ryan returned to his hometown of Ridgefield, CT in 2015 with a strong desire to make a positive impact in a business with great professional and personal significance to him. As Chief Executive Officer at the Prospector, Ryan Wenke has dedicated his professional career to furthering the mission of improving the quality of life for people with disabilities through meaningful employment.
-
Entering his 10th year at the Prospector, Ryan has a proven track record of cultivating lasting relationships with industry leaders, bringing the Board's vision to fruition, and maximizing the business and mission value of The Prospector. Under Ryan's leadership, the Prospector continues to be a beacon of hope around the world of what's possible when employers match someone's passion with a profession.
In 2023, Ryan was nominated and became a member of the Forbes Technology Council, an invitation-only community for world-class CIOS, CTOs, and technology executives.
Learn more about Ryan & the Prospector Theater
The Prospector Theater in Ridgefield, Connecticut, stands out as a nonprofit movie theater with a powerful mission to provide competitive and inclusive employment for people with disabilities. Since opening in 2014, it has become a beacon of opportunity, employing over 320 individuals - approximately 75% of whom self-identify with a disability.
Employees, known as Prospects, are matched with roles that align with their strengths and passions, or "sparkle." They engage in a wide range of tasks, from ticket sales and concessions to film editing, graphic design, and grant writing. This comprehensive training model ensures that each Prospect gains meaningful, real-world experience.
Resources
-
Mind Out Loud® by Wellness Together
The youth-led mental health movement with free monthly workshops, free student rep (13+) program, and a free online annual event. Amplifying the student voice, offered by Wellness Together
-
The Trevor Project
The Trevor Project is the leading suicide prevention and crisis intervention nonprofit organization for LGBTQ+ young people, providing information & support to LGBTQ+ young people 24/7.
-
Bring Change 2 Mind
Bring Change to Mind is a nonprofit organization dedicated to encouraging dialogue about mental health, and raising awareness, understanding, and empathy.
-
NAMI Teen and Youth
Since mental health conditions typically begin during childhood, adolescence or young adulthood, NAMI have compiled essential resources to help young people get the mental health support they need.
Our Programs & Services
-
![]()
School-Based Therapy
Wellness Together’s school-based therapy program places Mental Health Specialists on school campuses to provide crisis intervention, and individual and group counseling to students. Meeting the mental health needs of school communities through skilled, clinically-trained professionals.
-
![]()
9th Annual Wellness Together Conference
The largest international student mental health advocacy conference, the Wellness Together Conference gathers policymakers, school & district leaders, & Mental Health Professionals to connect, equip, and inspire the best minds in education and mental health for meaningful impact. Held in partnership with the California Department of Education.
-
![]()
Mind Out Loud
Mind Out Loud is Wellness Together’s youth-led student mental health advocacy program. Amplifying the student voice through a free annual event, monthly workshops, and student rep program. Bring this FREE resource to your school community.
-
![]()
Wellness Education Lab
WEL is a FREE online practical & empowering mental health training for students 13+, parents/guardians, and educators/school staff. Created by youth mental health industry experts, this evidence-based resource is informing schools and organizations across the country.
-
![]()
HearYou.org
HearYou.org partners with school districts and organizations to provide high-quality mental health counseling for educators/school staff and employees. Providing timely mental health support that goes beyond typical employee assistance.
-
![]()
Laughing Together
Laughing Together offers FUN and engaging learning experiences for professionals, teams, groups, and school communities
Created by professional improv teachers and licensed therapists, Laughing Together's workshops bring comedy and mental health together using evidence-informed curricula.
Learn more about Wellness Together.
Wellness Together is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to providing accessible and effective school-based mental health services to individuals and families across communities, with a focus on humanity and dignity.
We believe in providing mental health solutions that promote mental health awareness, advocacy, and access, and we are committed to developing a culturally competent workforce.