Have you ever wondered how deeply intertwined mental health and addiction can be? According to reports published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, around half of those with serious mental health issues also struggle with substance use disorder. Experts say that certain substances can trigger mental health problems, while mental health struggles can lead to alcohol or drug abuse, creating a complex and often devastating cycle.
Stephanie Marquesano knows this cycle all too well. She lost her 19-year-old son to an accidental drug overdose after he battled both substance use disorder and anxiety. In this episode, she shares her regrets about not knowing more about co-occurring disorders. She emphasizes how better treatment and awareness of the connection between mental health and addiction could save lives.
Her organization, The Harris Project, was also involved in an award-winning PSA, which you can watch below.
MEET THE GUEST
Stephanie Marquesano
After losing her 19-year-old son Harris to an accidental overdose in 2013, Stephanie Marquesano founded The Harris Project, the only national nonprofit dedicated to teens and young adults with co-occurring disorders (COD). Stephanie serves on various advisory boards, including the NYS Opioid Settlement Fund and the NYS Partnership for Integrated Care. She co-chairs Westchester County’s Co-Occurring System of Care Committee and leads a project delivering Encompass, an evidence-based treatment, in Westchester County. Stephanie’s prevention movement, CODA, empowers youth to raise awareness and connect with resources. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, and she was a TED presenter at the 2023 National Council for Mental Wellbeing Conference. Stephanie is dedicated to saving lives and improving outcomes.
