Mental Health as Prevention — Trauma, Healing & Why Care Must Start Early | Trafficking Free America Podcast
Thu Feb 05 2026
In this episode of the Trafficking Free America Podcast, survivor-leader Oree Freeman and host Jeremy Hicks have an honest, vulnerable conversation about mental health—not as a reaction to trauma, but as a form of prevention.
Drawing from lived experience, parenting, leadership, and survivor advocacy, this episode explores why mental health care must start early, how trauma impacts the nervous system long before adulthood, and why healing looks different for every person. Oree shares openly about her current season of life, therapy, boundaries, parenting, medication, faith, and learning how to listen to her body—offering a rare and grounding perspective for survivors, caregivers, and leaders alike.
Together, Jeremy and Oree challenge common misconceptions around mental health in the Church and society, unpack the difference between diagnosis and care, and explain why patience, community, and prevention matter more than performance or perfection.
This episode continues the mission of Trafficking Free America: equipping everyday people, churches, and communities with survivor-informed understanding that leads to healthier responses, safer environments, and long-term restoration.
🎧 Subscribe for more survivor-led conversations, practical tools, and faith-centered discussions on prevention and healing.
🕒 Episode Timestamps 0:00 – Mental health as prevention, not reaction1:18 – Why this conversation matters right now2:45 – Survivor honesty: therapy, readiness & timing4:13 – Tools planted early still matter later in life5:27 – Leadership, exhaustion & learning to slow down6:57 – Boundaries, peace & finding joy in hard seasons9:00 – Stress, anxiety & listening to your body11:29 – Mental health vs. diagnosis: shifting the narrative13:14 – Why survivors weren’t taught self-care15:36 – Community, accountability & healthy relationships17:22 – Medication, therapy & removing stigma21:30 – Final encouragement: prevention starts with understanding
#TraffickingFreeAmerica #MentalHealthAwareness #TraumaInformedCare #HumanTraffickingPrevention #SurvivorVoices #FaithAndHealing #ChurchLeadership #TraumaRecovery #MentalHealthMatters #PreventionOverReaction #Advocacy #HopeAndHealing
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In this episode of the Trafficking Free America Podcast, survivor-leader Oree Freeman and host Jeremy Hicks have an honest, vulnerable conversation about mental health—not as a reaction to trauma, but as a form of prevention. Drawing from lived experience, parenting, leadership, and survivor advocacy, this episode explores why mental health care must start early, how trauma impacts the nervous system long before adulthood, and why healing looks different for every person. Oree shares openly about her current season of life, therapy, boundaries, parenting, medication, faith, and learning how to listen to her body—offering a rare and grounding perspective for survivors, caregivers, and leaders alike. Together, Jeremy and Oree challenge common misconceptions around mental health in the Church and society, unpack the difference between diagnosis and care, and explain why patience, community, and prevention matter more than performance or perfection. This episode continues the mission of Trafficking Free America: equipping everyday people, churches, and communities with survivor-informed understanding that leads to healthier responses, safer environments, and long-term restoration. 🎧 Subscribe for more survivor-led conversations, practical tools, and faith-centered discussions on prevention and healing. 🕒 Episode Timestamps 0:00 – Mental health as prevention, not reaction1:18 – Why this conversation matters right now2:45 – Survivor honesty: therapy, readiness & timing4:13 – Tools planted early still matter later in life5:27 – Leadership, exhaustion & learning to slow down6:57 – Boundaries, peace & finding joy in hard seasons9:00 – Stress, anxiety & listening to your body11:29 – Mental health vs. diagnosis: shifting the narrative13:14 – Why survivors weren’t taught self-care15:36 – Community, accountability & healthy relationships17:22 – Medication, therapy & removing stigma21:30 – Final encouragement: prevention starts with understanding #TraffickingFreeAmerica #MentalHealthAwareness #TraumaInformedCare #HumanTraffickingPrevention #SurvivorVoices #FaithAndHealing #ChurchLeadership #TraumaRecovery #MentalHealthMatters #PreventionOverReaction #Advocacy #HopeAndHealing