Dr. Gian Manuel Ramos Monserrate (he/him)

Dr. Gian Manuel Ramos Monserrate joined Momma on September 20, 2021 for a live Q&A via Twitch to talk about Psychiatry, Mental Health & Geekdom

About Gian

Gian is a medical doctor, working towards Psychiatry Residency and working with children and adolescents population. He is an avid fan of all things geek but mostly video games and anime. Gian is also a content creator for Geek Therapy and cohost of two podcasts: “Here Comes a Thought” - A Steven Universe and Psychology podcast and “Otaku Ryoho”, Geek Therapy’s anime podcast.

Socials / Links for Their Info

• Twitter - https://twitter.com/Psychogonically

• TAGGS page - https://event.taggsummit.org/speakers/gian-manuel-ramos-monserrate/

• Geek Therapy - https://geektherapy.org/

Episode Summary

Dive into an illuminating conversation on psychiatry, mental health, and geek culture—perfect for anyone seeking insight into the human mind and the intersection of passion and well-being!

Key Takeaways:

• Comprehensive care, including medication, therapy, and other forms of support, is important for addressing mental health issues.

• The hospital setting can provide a sense of hope and fulfillment when working as part of a team to help patients.

• Hobbies and self-care can play a role in maintaining mental well-being.

• Negative experiences with mental health providers can have a significant impact on patients and their families.

• Involving parents and addressing family dynamics is crucial in the care of children and adolescents. Being a doctor for a child means treating the whole family and being the child's advocate

• Guiding parents and strengthening family ties is an important part of the job

• It is important to let children know that adults are still figuring things out and that vulnerability is normal

• Connecting with patients through their interests, such as gaming or anime, can be a powerful therapeutic tool

• Having a good relationship with both the child and the parents is crucial for effective treatment Mental health care and medical health care should both adopt a holistic approach, considering the person as a whole and taking into account cultural and societal context.

• Patient narratives and empowerment are essential in mental health care, challenging the paternalistic model of medicine.

• Building therapeutic relationships with patients is crucial, allowing for a deeper understanding of their symptoms and providing personalized treatment options.

• Stigma surrounding mental illness differs in Puerto Rico and the US, with cultural and religious factors playing a significant role.

• Medical doctors receive limited training in mental health care, while psychiatrists undergo additional training in therapeutic modalities.

• The nature versus nurture debate in mental health should be reframed, recognizing that biology and psychology are interconnected and that individuals have the potential for change and growth.

In this podcast episode of Even Tacos Fall Apart, MommaFoxFire hosted Dr. Gian Manuel Ramos Monserrate, delving into the intersection of psychiatry, mental health, and geekdom. Throughout the discussion, Gian shared insights from his experiences as a psychiatrist and researcher, offering valuable perspectives on holistic mental health care.

One of the key themes of the conversation was the importance of comprehensive care in addressing mental health issues. Gian emphasized the significance of integrating medication, therapy, and other forms of support to provide effective treatment for individuals struggling with mental illness. He highlighted the role of the hospital setting in fostering hope and fulfillment, particularly when working collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team.

The discussion also touched upon the impact of negative experiences with mental health providers, underscoring the need for compassionate and patient-centered care. Gian stressed the importance of involving parents and addressing family dynamics, particularly in the care of children and adolescents. He highlighted the role of the psychiatrist as an advocate for the child, guiding parents and strengthening family ties to support the child's well-being.

Gian shared insights into the therapeutic value of connecting with patients through their interests, such as gaming or anime, underscoring the power of personalized approaches to treatment. He emphasized the importance of building therapeutic relationships with patients, allowing for a deeper understanding of their symptoms and needs.

The conversation also explored the cultural and societal factors that influence stigma surrounding mental illness, with Gian highlighting differences between Puerto Rico and the US. He discussed the limited training that medical doctors receive in mental health care, contrasting it with the additional training that psychiatrists undergo in therapeutic modalities.

One of the most compelling aspects of the discussion was Gian's perspective on reframing the nature versus nurture debate in mental health. He emphasized the interconnectedness of biology and psychology, stressing that individuals have the potential for change and growth. Gian underscored the importance of empowering patients and challenging paternalistic models of medicine, advocating for patient narratives and autonomy in mental health care.

Overall, the interview provided valuable insights into the complexities of psychiatry, mental health, and geekdom. Through Gian's expertise and personal experiences, listeners gained a deeper understanding of the holistic approach to mental health care and the importance of patient-centered, culturally sensitive practices.