The Meaning of Recovery: Brandon Novak

For the Bucks County Community College Bucks Collegiate Recovery Program Event in March of 2025, our podcasters prepared questions for the guest speaker and author Brandon Novak, a skateboarder known for the Jackass films, about what it means to recover. We also spoke to the event coordinator, Emily Sexton, on the purpose of the BCCC Bucks Collegiate Recovery Program, and with Demita Harvey from No Longer Bound and the Bristol Cares Coalition about helping youth with mental health.


 

 

Transcript

Brianna 
Welcome to the Giving Youth A Voice Podcast where we share information to youth by youth. Stick around to hear what we've chosen to share with you in this episode. Check out more information and resources about the Neshaminy Coalition for Youth at our website nc4youth. org. That's nc number 4 youth. org. There you can find our program and resources and become a member for the betterment of our community. Also, check out our Facebook page to see our latest news and events. Give us a like. I'm Brianna, the host of this episode, and please enjoy. 

Sarah
These are interviews from the Bucks County Community College Recovery event on March 8th of 2025. Questions from our podcasters were posed to participants and spokespersons. For more information, check out the Collegiate Recovery Program at the Bucks County Community College website. 

Emily Sexton
My name is Emily Sexton and I run the Collegiate Recovery Program at Bucks County Community College. We support our students who are in recovery from substance use disorder and our students who have been affected by someone else's addiction. 

Brianna
What inspired you to hold this event? 

Emily Sexton 
I hold this annual event each year to provide valuable resources and information in support and hopefully bridge the gap between those and the college and bring those resources here to attendees. 

Brianna 
Why are events such as this one important? 

Emily Sexton
Events such as this are important to bridge the gaps that we need to bring the resources, support to students, to the community. We want people to know that they're not alone in their mental health journeys and that someone's always here to support them. It is important to show support for mental health. I feel like everyone has something in their lives that they could use support for, mental health awareness and helping to reduce the stigma. 

Brianna 
Who is involved? 

Emily Sexton 
Organizations throughout Montgomery, Bucks, and Philadelphia counties who we collaborate with, who have valuable mental health resources and support to offer to the community and our students. 

Brianna 
What is the message you want to give regarding recovery? 

Emily Sexton 
That it's possible that there's always someone who wants to help, always look for the helpers. I really am thankful that children came together to give these questions and are interested in knowing things like this happening in the community. 

Brandon Novak 
Hi my name is Brandon Novak. 

Brianna 
What advice, thoughts, or guidance would you have for teens on the topic of mental health? 

Brandon Novak
Advice I would give to teenagers regarding mental health is that what I didn't know then, I know now, getting assistance and guidance from others who are more knowledgeable and experienced in areas such as mental health is really the way to go. It's the right thing to do because I learned the older I got, the harder I was making my life by not reaching out asking for help or direction. It's so important to have positive mentors and role models in my life. And more importantly, it avoided me many years of messing up and failing and just really bad outcomes. So everything got better when I admitted that what I did know is that I didn't know because then I was able to ask for help without prejudice or worry of what people would think of me. 

Brianna 
Recovery is defined as a return to a normal state of health, mind, or strength as well as the action or process of regaining possession or control of something stolen or lost. What does returning to a normal state of health, mind, or strength mean to you? 

Brandon Novak 
Recovery to me means repairing of relationships, repairing of family dynamics, repairing of self, quite simply, not only everything in my life, but everything in all my loved ones' lives get better when I stop drinking and drugging. 

Brianna 
What is one thing you'd want young people to know when it comes to recovery and substance use? 

Brandon Novak 
One thing I'd want people to know in regards to mental health and substance abuse is that more people suffer from it than they think. And it's really sad and unnecessary for us to continue to suffer in silence. The moment that I admitted complete defeat was the exact second I secured the ultimate victory because I let others into my world, and immediately upon doing that, I no longer felt alone, and I felt like there was a way out, and that I too could be a part of that community.

Like a bridge.

Exactly. 

Brianna 
Why are events such as this one important? 

Brandon Novak 
Events such as the one we're at today are so important because it allows me to see that there's life after mental health. There's life after addiction. That there is a world out here that I want to be a part of that doesn't consist of drugs or alcohol or depression, and there's other people that are actively getting better and enjoying life and finding a reason to continue to live and thrive in this thing called the world. And if I see them doing it, then I in turn believe that I can do it. The opposite of addiction is connection. Thank you guys for doing this, and thank you for letting me be a part of it. 

Demita Harvey 
My name is Demita Harvey. I am with No Longer Bound and the Bristol Cares Coalition. 

Brianna 
What advice thoughts or guidance would you have for teens on the topic of mental health? 

Demita Harvey 
So my advice would be to understand that we all have mental health and sometimes we have mental health challenges. I think what's most important is that you are intentional and aware of how it is that you're feeling and making sure that you're doing some check-ins, making sure that you are just cognizant about how it is that you're feeling. I think being aware of when you need to seek some additional support. 

Brianna 
What is one thing you'd want young people to know when it comes to mental health? 

Demita Harvey 
What is one thing I want young people to know when it comes to mental health is that we all have it. And we need to make sure that we nurture it and take care of it. We need to make sure we are taking those breaks. We need to make sure we're engaging in some self-care. And when things get tough, reaching out and speaking to someone, I always want young people to know that they should find one person who they trust, who they're able to share with, who they're able to have healthy conversations with. And also maybe that person that they can have a tough conversation with when things get a little tough because it does happen. And to remember that tomorrow is another day that we can always start fresh. So just keep that in mind. 

What inspired me to participate in this event is that our organization focuses on prevention and it's so important for people to have awareness about what is happening in the community, what resources are out there and available, and then also that before you have to worry about recovery, there is that prevention piece, you know, so really understanding what are healthy behaviors, what is actually normal. Not everybody is engaging or trying substances and I want you to know that as well. So that's why I come out to events like these because I really want to make sure that young people have the information that they need in order to make healthy decisions. One thing that I hear a lot, just reinforce with the young people, I know they say that you're not alone, but the truth is, you're truly not alone. There are resources that are out there and available. There's help lines that you can call to get some additional support. So when you're feeling like things are really tough, just don't stew in it. Really reach out for some support. We are here for you. There's many organizations that are out there and available for you. So please just know that there's help there and seek it when you need it. 

Brianna 
That's it for this episode. Thank you for listening to Giving Youth a Voice. Any questions about this podcast or coalition can be emailed to podcasts@nc4youth. org. That's podcast@nc4youth org. Make sure to follow us on your favorite podcasting app and sign up to our email list on nc4youth. org so you don't miss our next episode. This project is made possible by funding from the Drug Free Communities Grant. I'm Brianna, wishing you a happy and healthy future. See you next episode.