Take My Hand Support Series with Jean Voice Dart

PURPOSE
The Wellness Universe's "Take My Hand Support Series" features interviews with guest speakers on suicide awareness and prevention. It provides resources and education, empowering individuals, providers, and communities.

SERIES DESCRIPTION
Expert guest speakers share tools, wisdom, and insights for suicide prevention and mental wellness. Open, heartfelt conversations directly connect you to those providing aid, comfort, and care. These educational interviews provide a safe space for others to heal and recover from challenging times. Our expert guests pivot challenges into joy and provide valuable insights, experiences, and resources for you and your loved ones.

HOST
Jean Voice Dart, MS, RMT, CATP, is a best-selling author, certified teacher, coach, and expressive arts therapist specializing in grief, trauma, and chronic pain. A TBI survivor who has lost multiple family members to suicide, Jean transformed her life through holistic pain management and radical self-compassion. For over fifty years, she has worked closely with children and adults, guiding them to feel, reveal, and heal through soul-centered care, reclaiming joy in the presence of grief, trauma, and pain.

2026 YEAR EVENT SCHEDULE
Join the live sessions bimonthly on every second Saturday, at Noon ET / 9 AM PT. January 10, March 14, May 9, July 11, September 12, November 14, 2026.

REGISTER AND DONATE
Please register here: https://bit.ly/WUTakeMyHandSupportSeries
This program is a pay-what-you-can, donation-based event. We appreciate your contributions to help us continue to provide a valuable five-star experience.


UPCOMING EVENTS
12 PM ET, May 9, 2026

STATISTICS
Digital toxicity now affects every generation. Preschoolers show measurable drops in cognitive and psychosocial development with high screen exposure, and children spend the equivalent of one full year of 24‑hour days on screens by age seven. Teens face the highest risks: 95% use social media, 20% use it almost constantly, and over half experience cyberbullying, which has doubled in recent years; youth who are cyberbullied are more than four times as likely to report suicidal thoughts or attempts. Adults report severe digital burnout, with strong associations between digital overload and psychological distress. 65% of adults say digital misinformation causes significant stress, and 28% gamble online daily, while heavy pornography use correlates with compulsive behavior and relationship strain. Seniors are the fastest‑growing gaming group, with 70% playing regularly, often experiencing increased loneliness, sleep disruption, and dependence. Across all ages, digital toxicity fuels isolation, sleep disruption, self‑care erosion, emotional withdrawal, and compulsive behaviors.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
Research shows that digital toxicity is a serious worldwide concern across all generations. It contributes to digital dependence, social isolation, sleep disruption, self‑care erosion, emotional withdrawal, misinformation stress, burnout, compulsive behaviors, and rising mental‑health challenges, including suicidal ideation. However, there is hope for a brighter future.

Join us for "From Digital Toxicity to Digital Triumph," hosted by Jean Voice Dart, Psychotherapist, with guest speakers:

1. Terri Banner Fitzsimmons, Sociologist, News Reporter, Best‑Selling Author
2. Nicole Batiste, Inner Peace Coach specializing in Meditation, Brain Health, and Energy Medicine
3. Claudia Carrier, Sports Journalist, Host, Moderator, and Ambassador for The Wellness Universe.

Together, they explore the full spectrum of digital harm—cyberbullying, gaming addiction, online gambling, pornography, misinformation, burnout, and digital dependence—and how these forces shape mental health, emotional resilience, and suicide vulnerability across all generations.

We look forward to seeing you Saturday, May 9, at 12 PM Eastern Time, for the Take My Hand Support Series: "From Digital Toxicity to Digital Triumph." You will discover practical tools, compassionate strategies, and real‑life pathways that help every generation reclaim balance, rebuild connection, and rise from digitally distressed to digitally blessed. You are not alone.

REFERENCES
American Psychological Association. Digital Stress and Burnout in Adults: A Review of Psychological Impacts. APA Press, 2023.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data Summary & Trends Report: 2011–2021. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2023.

Common Sense Media. The Common Sense Census: Media Use by Kids Age Zero to Eight. Common Sense Media, 2020.

Common Sense Media. The Common Sense Census: Media Use by Tweens and Teens. Common Sense Media, 2022.

Pew Research Center. Misinformation and Its Emotional Toll on U.S. Adults. Pew Research Center, 2023.

World Health Organization. Gaming Disorder: Public Health Implications and Global Prevalence. WHO Press, 2022.

PAST EVENTS

March 14, 2026 - "LGBTQIA+ Mental Health Awareness and Suicide Prevention"
HOST
Jean Voice Dart, Expressive Arts Psychotherapist

EXPERT SPEAKERS
1. Dr. Nikki Saltzburg – Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Educator, and LGBTQIA+ Advocate
2. Claire Marie Kohout – Energy Therapist, Best-selling author, Queer Support TPN WA Instructor
3. Bradford Tilden – Best‑Selling Author, Spiritual Healing Mentor, and AIDS Survivor

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January 10, 2026 – "The Silent Battle Behind High Achievement"
HOST
Jean Voice Dart, MS, RMT, Psychotherapist

EXPERT SPEAKERS
1. Chris Romulo, former Professional Muay Thai Champion and Mental Performance Coach; and TPN Wellness Academy Instructor
2. Sarah Romulo, Certified Nutrition, Wellness Coach, and TPN Wellness Academy Instructor
3. Jess Schildkraut, Professional Soccer Player, Mental Health Advocate, and TPN Member

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Nov 8, 2025 - "Chronic Pain - Mental Health Support and Suicide Prevention."
HOST
Jean Voice Dart, MS, RMT, Psychotherapist

EXPERT SPEAKERS:
1. Dr. Sherilyn Duckworth, PhD, MPH, mental health advocate and founder of A Friend of Mind (AFoM).
2. Elizabeth Kipp, chronic pain management and trauma recovery expert, certified addiction recovery coach.
3. Karin Korb, disability culture, accessibility, and liberation expert. A two-time Paralympian and wheelchair user since age 16.

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Sept 13, 2025 - "Outreach and Care for Our Military Families - Survivors of Grief, Tragedy, and Loss"
HOST
Jean Voice Dart, MS, RMT, Psychotherapist

EXPERT SPEAKERS
1. Dr. Carla Stumpf Patton, Ed.D., LMHC, NCC, FT, CCTP, VP Suicide Prevention, Intervention, & Postvention at TAPS.
2. Ilene Dillon, MSW, LCSW, LMFT, psychotherapist of more than fifty years

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July 12, 2025 - "It's OK to Not Be OK - Helping Kids Cope with Family Loss"
HOST
Jean Voice Dart, MS, RMT, Psychotherapist

EXPERT SPEAKERS
1. Dr. Mary Welsh, Co-Founder of Susie Q's Kids, is a suicide and grief facilitator, speaker, and coach supporting individuals navigating loss and adversity.
2. Carrie Hopkins-Doubts, PCC, author and founder of Life’s Next Chapter Coaching, supports widowed individuals in rebuilding life after loss.

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September 27, 2024 - "Supporting Youth"
HOST
Lisa Bonta Sumii, LCSW, CMPC, Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Mental Performance Consultant

EXPERT SPEAKERS
1. Judy Giovangelo, Advanced Grief Recovery Specialist and Founder of Ben Speaks.
2. Dr. Joshua Stein, Psychiatrist with PrairieCare, teaching the CALM method to reduce access to lethal means
3. Gayle Nowak, Communication and Emotional Wellness Coach, working with youth through self-awareness, healing, and authentic connection.

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DISCLAIMER
This program provides health, wellness, and nutritional information and is intended for educational purposes only. You should not rely on this information as a substitute for, nor does it replace, professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about your health, it is always advisable to consult a physician or other healthcare professional. Do not disregard, avoid, or delay obtaining medical or health-related advice from your healthcare professional because of something you may have read, heard, or seen here. The use of any information provided in this program is solely at your own risk.

Developments in medical research may impact the health, wellness, fitness, and nutritional advice shared here. No assurances can be given that the information contained in this program will always include the most relevant findings or developments.

The program's experts share tools, practices, and knowledge with sincere and generous intentions. Please contact them with any questions, insights, or concerns you may have. They are happy to assist you!

Thank you for your support.