The FASD Success Show

Episode #185 Dr. Carly McMorris How to Help When Mental Health Gets Hard

Trigger warning: This episode discusses suicide, self-harm, and mental health crises.

In this powerful and compassionate conversation, Jeff Noble sits down with Dr. Carly McMorris — clinical psychologist, associate professor at the University of Calgary, and leading FASD researcher — to talk about one of the hardest and most important topics in the FASD community: mental health.

They break down how to recognize the signs of crisis, why individuals with FASD experience such high rates of anxiety, depression, and suicidality, and how caregivers can respond with calm, informed strategies instead of fear.

You’ll learn:
 • Why up to 90% of individuals with FASD experience mental health challenges
 • How to tell the difference between a bad day and a mental health crisis
 • Why “go low and go slow” works — for your loved one and for you
 • How to use the FASD Mental Health Toolkit in real life
 • What caregivers can do when the system doesn’t respond
 • The hope behind new research on mental health and suicidality in FASD

If you’ve ever felt scared, unsure, or alone in supporting your loved one’s mental health, this episode will give you knowledge, validation, and tools to move from fear to understanding.

Resources & Links
🔗 Mental Health Toolkit: canfasd.ca/mental-health-toolkit

🎧 Episode 141 with Emma Jewell: fasdsuccess.com/blog/141-discover-a-new-mental-health-tool-with-emma-jewell

🎧 Episode with Dr. Jacqueline Pei: fasdsuccess.com/blog/FetalAlcoholSyndromementalhealth

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