In this new interview for our Empowered Women Empower Women series, we’re thrilled to feature Julie Radlauer—an advocate, researcher, and passionate leader in the mental health space. Julie’s work has truly reshaped the way we think about mental health, especially in marginalized communities. Through her TEDx Talk and extensive research, she’s been working tirelessly to break down the stigma around mental health and encourage conversations that lead to real change.
At The Better Normal, we believe that talking about mental health is essential. Opening up conversations about this topic helps reduce stigma and provides much-needed support for those who are struggling. The first time we heard Julie’s TEDx Talk, we were struck by her clarity, approachability, and the way she made such a complex issue feel relatable. She inspired us, and we hope her words will inspire you as well.
Julie shares her personal journey, her research on the intersection of mental health and structural racism, and why it’s crucial for all of us to be part of changing the mental health narrative. Her insights remind us that addressing mental health isn’t just about treatment—it’s about understanding, compassion, and creating a supportive community. We’re excited to share her story and hope it motivates you to reflect on how you can contribute to a healthier, more inclusive world! 🙂
Changing the Mental Health Narrative
TBN: Julie, your TEDx Talk is really inspiring. What motivated you to take the stage and share your message with the world?
JR: I have always been inspired by TED, so I was so excited for the opportunity to share my research on the TEDx stage. I remember the first TEDx I watched and knew I wanted to inspire others someday.
Funny story about my TEDx experience… I was in Sedona with a friend for a business planning retreat. Sedona is known for being spiritual and I was meeting with an intuitive coach while there. During our one-hour session, she advised me that I should do a TED talk. I shared that it was a lifelong dream to be on the TEDx stage. We discussed many topics and opportunities during our hour together and I thanked her for her time. I left that session and was sitting outside checking my phone which I had been ignoring during the coaching session, and amazingly, while I was in that very session, I received a text message inviting me to do the TEDx talk. Of course, it was a dream come true and I was so grateful to share my message about mental health at a time when so many people were struggling.
TBN: That’s amazing! Now, in your experience, what are the biggest misconceptions about mental health, and how can we begin to shift the narrative?
JR: There are so many misconceptions about mental health that it is hard to say that one is more important than the others. I will say that from a stigma perspective, people are often scared of those with mental health conditions as though they may hurt them. In fact, the majority of people struggling with mental health conditions are incredibly kind and just want others to be kind back to them.
Another big misconception is that people with mental health conditions cannot function or contribute to society. In fact, many people with mental health conditions are able to recover and function at different stages in their lives. Having a mental health condition is often similar to a physical health condition. For example, if you think about a person with a heart condition or diabetes, some days they feel great, and then other days they are not feeling their best. Sometimes they need to make changes to their medication and often, the stress that they experience in their lives impacts the way they feel.
Addressing Racism in Behavioral Health
TBN: Can you share a bit about your research on structural racism in the behavioral health field? What are some of the key insights or breakthroughs from that work?
JR: I could talk for days about the breakthroughs from my work on structural racism because I am so incredibly passionate about equity. I was working in the mental health space for many years and was continually frustrated about how children and families would come into systems looking for help, receive support to stabilize their situations, and then after discharge from services, would come back into care 3,6, or 9 months later in crisis again. This phenomenon caused me to go back to school to become a Doctor of Public Health.
In Public Health, there is a focus on both prevention as well as disparities. Because of my years of experience in the mental health space, I turned this eye to the behavioral health system. Interestingly, most systems have been identified as experiencing inequities, physical health, criminal justice, child welfare, and education… There is significant data on inequities in these systems.
However because behavioral health is often lumped in with physical health, these disparities were not widely discussed. I conducted several research studies and literature reviews to unpack the inequities (by design) of the system. For example, most people do not know that Black men are diagnosed with Schizophrenia at a higher rate than white men. This can be attributed to the change in the DSM II manual related to the civil rights movement.
Pre civil rights, most of the people who were diagnosed with Schizophrenia were white women who were struggling to take care of their families (probably postpartum). But then, in the early 1960’s the Diagnostic Statistical Manual (DSM) which is used to diagnose mental health conditions, was being updated to the DSM II. Given all that was happening in society around the civil rights movement, the description of Schizophrenia was changed to include language about aggression and opposition, and after that time, the number of Black men diagnosed with Schizophrenia increased by 65%. Still to this day, psychiatrists are 6-8 times more likely to diagnose Black men with Schizophrenia than white men.
What I am most passionate about is sharing this knowledge and so much more with helping professionals. I want them to understand that the system that they work within creates inequitable outcomes and that they must be aware of this so that they may advocate for equitable treatment. In one study that I conducted, I asked African American families if the behavioral health system was meeting their mental health needs. Sadly, they said no. One important reason is that they prefer to work with people who look like them and have had similar lived experiences, but currently, only 5% of mental health professionals look like them.
Another important reason is that they prefer to have their needs met in ways that match their culture, and speaking to a white professional in an office using an evidence-based practice designed for people who do not look like them, does not meet their needs.
TBN: What actionable steps can professionals in the mental health field take to create a more equitable and inclusive system?
JR: Like with any challenge, the first step is awareness. Professionals working in all systems need to be aware of the inequitable practices, processes, and policies within that system. They need to understand that it is not really about them as a helping professional doing something wrong, but rather that they work within a system that continues to perpetuate these inequities. Once they are aware of the structural factors, they need to interrogate how they can change those practices to support all people equitably.
When I work with helping professionals, I often give them the homework assignment to think about all of the times when they continue to do something even though it doesn’t make sense or doesn’t seem fair. When you work within a system, it is easy to get used to the injustices unless you have permission to look for them, find them, bring them to the attention of superiors, and challenge the continuation. If they receive the answer “We’re doing it because that is the way we have always done it”, it is time to review that policy or process and revise it to create equity.
The most important thing that professionals can do is to speak with people of lived experience and ask them what they need to have a better life, and then do their very best to help families achieve it. When people work within systems, they tend to give people what is available rather than what people really need.
The Importance of Community and Social Connection
TBN: In your TEDx Talk, you emphasize that mental health “is not someone else’s problem.” How can we be part of the solution to mental health challenges?
JR: This comes back to one of the misconceptions about mental health. Most people believe that unless they are a trained mental health professional, they should not try to help people who are struggling. In reality, only 20% of the people who are struggling with mental health conditions truly need formal mental health treatment.
We are currently experiencing a global mental health crisis with a lack of capacity to address the need. We are at a point where we need an all-hands-on-deck approach and it’s important to recognize that everyone can make a contribution. In low socio-economic countries where they have much larger capacity issues than we do, they practice techniques like task sharing, where everyday people become part of the solution. It’s time that all communities practice this and take some responsibility to support their friends, family, neighbors, and community.
TBN: Your work highlights the importance of social connection and support. How can we better support someone in our lives who is struggling with their mental health?
JR: In my TEDx, I talk about simple solutions like checking in on loved ones, and just showing up, even when you don’t have all the answers. I do social connection training around the country and give people the tools to connect and support others. We really don’t have to have all of the answers, in many cases, we just need to let people know that we are there and we care. It’s also important to know when to seek professional support through 988 and 211. Taking the time to call or text someone who is going through a difficult time. Not asking if they need anything, but showing you care by leaning in. Having an honest conversation and letting someone know you are concerned.
I have a really good friend going through a difficult time right now. I tried to lean in, invite myself over, cook for them, and every time I tried to connect, I was turned away. I finally said, “I’m worried about you, I want to be here for you and I feel as though I’m bothering you. I’m trying to be supportive the way I know how, what would support look like for you right now so I can do it the way you want?”. Asking for and accepting help is really challenging for most people, so figuring out what works best is respectful.
TBN: We’d love to hear more about Collectively. How does the organization work to bring people together and foster a sense of community, especially in addressing mental health challenges on a larger scale?
JR: Collectively is an organization designed to support child-serving and mental health professionals. We use research and evidence-informed curriculum to give helping professionals the tools to better support the people that they work with as well as their community. Collectively also works within communities to conduct research and then uses that research to co-create and scale solutions to support mental health. I often share these solutions in keynotes, workshops, and speaking engagements to educate the masses on ways the community can get involved in preventing mental health challenges.
Personal Insights and Growth
TBN: After over 25 years in the field, what keeps you motivated and passionate about addressing mental health challenges?
JR: Honestly, working in the mental health space these days is really challenging. So many young people are struggling and for real and valid reasons. I am passionate about sharing my years of experience and scope because I believe that young professionals need support to do the front-line work. They need to know the lessons that we have learned along the way so they can provide valuable solutions in these challenging times. Having said that, I don’t believe that the solutions of the past necessarily work in today’s world. I absolutely love to work alongside youth and young professionals to share my experience navigating working within systems, with their knowledge of the culture of today, to co-create solutions that will meet the needs of our young people who approach the world so differently.
TBN: What’s a lesson from your work that has profoundly shaped the way you approach your own life and mental well-being?
JR: I have always been a very optimistic person, so I continue to take care of myself so that I can show up positively for others. Certainly, lessons about self-care and taking care of myself are top of mind. I used to work non-stop because I was so passionate about helping people, and I genuinely believed that I would never tire of the work that I was doing. It was less about “the young people need me” and more about “I absolutely love what I do and am driven to make a difference daily”, but either way, it wasn’t healthy. After years of working at that pace, I had to intentionally slow down to make sure that I was available for my family and friends in addition to being of service to others.
Additionally, when times are truly challenging, like when I am working on a big deadline or a crisis situation that will last weeks not days, I am very intentional about creating routines of self-care in my day. I have learned what I need to do to show up as my best self, and I am intentional about employing those skills and techniques to ensure that my needs are met.
TBN: If you could share one piece of advice for someone looking to make a difference in mental health or community engagement, what would it be?
JR: I love this question because most helping professionals want to “save the world” and the truth is, no one person can save the world. Sadly, we are living in a time when many aspects of our lives need “saving”. I would tell anyone who wants to be in service to others to think about their unique contribution and focus on that. We all have individual strengths, interests, and talents that make us who we are. Identify what your strengths are, and lean in on those. Therein lies what your contribution will be to this world. Create that niche for yourself, and figure out how to use those strengths to support others. When we focus on our strengths, it never feels like we are working because it comes easy to us and we can share our talent with the world.
Click here to check all the interviews from our “Empowered Women Empower Women” series.
