Who knew that an encounter with Slow and Low rock and rye could lead us to such a profound conversation about mental health? Whiskey lovers and mental health advocates, this episode is tailored for you. We dive into the fascinating history of this whiskey, based on an 1800s recipe known as Hochstadter, and we also get to explore the intriguing new Slow and Low Coffee old-fashioned that's making waves. The conversation isn't just about the booze, but the intricate tapestry of history and craftsmanship it represents.

Switching gears from savoring the perfect old fashioned, we tackle the sobering issue of mental health disparities among veterans. By shedding light on alarming statistics from reputable sources, we try to expose the inequalities that prevail between White and minority veterans. Our guest, a brave veteran herself, shares her personal journey of overcoming post-traumatic stress disorder. Her narrative is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, as she recounts her struggle in finding the right doctor, the importance of mental health advocacy, and the harsh reality of having to take control of her own healthcare.

As we wrap up, we take the time to share some valuable advice and resources that can be instrumental in anyone's recovery journey. Our guest emphasizes the significance of a positive support system and the necessity of taking things slow. She shares her story of confronting mental health challenges and how a dedicated therapist and a solid support system played a pivotal role in her journey. We conclude our conversation with an important reminder: be open, be honest, and remember, it's okay to be gentle with yourself. This is an episode that promises a flavorful journey into the world of whiskey and a poignant narrative of resilience and hope. Give it a listen.

Resources:

Psychology Today
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us

https://www.hhs.gov/

Dept of Health & Human Services has website devoted to National Minority Mental Health Awareness

https://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/minority-mental-health/index.html

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline https://988lifeline.org/

National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI) www.nami.org

Racial and ethnic mental health disparities in U.S. Military Veterans: Results from the National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36905842/

Music by Daddy_s_Music from Pixabay

In our glass is Slow & Low Rock and Rye Straight Rye Whiskey

This is 84 proof and retails for just over $21 at Spec’s for the 750 ml bottle.

Hochstadter's takes rye whiskey and flavors it ” strongly ” with orange and honey (plus a bit of lemon, grapefruit, and horeshound), then bottles the concoction along with plenty of rock candy syrup, which knocks the sweetness into the stratosphere. We sampled a bottle to see what the fuss was all about a century or so ago¦
https://www.drinkslowandlow.com

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