I am excited to share an interview I had with Eden Gold, where we discussed my work in promoting mental wellness and the initiatives I am passionate about. This piece, originally published on Medium by Eden Gold, captures our conversation in detail, and I believe it provides valuable insights into the challenges and solutions surrounding mental health today.

Read the full interview below:

As part of our series about Mental Health Champions helping to promote mental wellness, I had the pleasure to interview Dr. Johann D’Souza.

Dr. Johann D’Souza earned both a PhD and Masters degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of Houston on a Presidential Fellowship after receiving a prior Masters degree from Boston University in Psychology and Bachelors degree from University of Dallas in Theology.

His research publications focus on the psychological benefits of hope and optimism. He is a research affiliate at Harvard’s Human Flourishing Program, a coach for OptimalWork, and the host of the Dr. Johann D’Souza Podcast.

He is the founder of Values First Therapy, where he offers modern psychology with traditional values. He specializes in helping high achievers achieve peak performance and overcome anxiety or OCD by using science-based strategies.

Thank you so much for doing this with us! Before we dig in, our readers would like to get to know you a bit. You are currently leading an initiative that is helping to promote mental wellness. Can you tell us a bit more specifically about what you are trying to address?

I’m very interested in saving children from digital destruction. From time wasting to pornography addiction, our young (and not so young) people are facing an epidemic that will be noted in future history books. While it is so easy for smartphones to lead to life changing consequences, it is notoriously difficult to free oneself.

Can you tell us the backstory about what inspired you to originally feel passionate about this cause?

Both from personal experience and from mentoring teens for 14 years, I have seen the apathy, depression, anxiety, and addiction that result from unfettered internet access. We were made for so much more than this. At the same time, there is hope, and there is a solution, and it is so inspiring to see people turn their lives around and help others who are still struggling.

Many of us have ideas, dreams, and passions, but never manifest them. They don’t get up and just do it. But you did. Was there an “Aha Moment” that made you decide that you were actually going to step up and do it? What was that final trigger?

I woke up when I saw how much technology addictions affected even the best families I knew. These families knew they needed help but didn’t know where to turn for it. That’s when I invested significant time and energy into coming up with a solution.

Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began leading your company or organization?

One of my great joys was giving a technology talk at a local high school with one of my former mentees. He is an outstanding college student and led the discussion we had with the students, giving an inspiring, research-based, testimony with great conviction.

None of us can be successful without some help along the way. Did you have mentors or cheerleaders who helped you to succeed? Can you tell us a story about their influence?

I owe a great debt of gratitude to Dr. Kevin Majeres of Harvard Medical School. His program OptimalWork taught me how to break out of distraction and procrastination in order to work and live at my best. Later, I was privileged to work with him as the head of coaching at OptimalWork.

According to Mental Health America’s report, over 44 million Americans have a mental health condition. Yet there’s still a stigma about mental illness. Can you share a few reasons you think this is so?

It’s simple: we don’t want to admit we have problems, because then other people can make fun of us. It takes wisdom and humility to recognize how frail our human nature is and that we all need help.

In your experience, what should a) individuals b) society, and c) the government do to better support people suffering from mental illness?

We can’t give what we don’t have. If we want to help others, we ourselves must intentionally strive for personal growth on a daily basis. Society and government can wake up to the dangers of smartphones and actively work to mitigate damage and promote flourishing. For example, this can be done by encouraging ‘phone free Fridays’ and banning smartphones from schools as the LA School District recently did.

What are your 5 strategies you use to promote your own well-being and mental wellness?

1 . Have intentional times of silence throughout the day, starting first thing in the morning. Mindfulness meditation can transform your life, as it has mine.

2 . Pick one time a day when you challenge yourself to work with as much focus and as little distraction as possible. We call this the golden hour. You’ll see how it leads to a golden day, golden week, and golden life.

3 . Live a schedule. It’s liberating.

4 . Sleep, diet, exercise — taking care of our mind starts with taking care of our body.

5 . Invest in relationships. That’s where true happiness comes from.

What are your favorite books, podcasts, or resources that inspire you to be a mental health champion?

I’m very impressed with the work of Jonathan Haidt in The Anxious Generation. He’s leading the charge in this area. The OptimalWork podcast and The HeightsCast offer great interview summaries of the book.

How can our readers follow you online?

Feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn, through my Virtuous Leaders podcast, or my practice, Values First Therapy.

This was very meaningful, thank you so much. We wish you only continued success on your great work!

Thank you!

About The Interviewer: Eden Gold, is a youth speaker, keynote speaker, founder of the online program Life After High School, and host of the Real Life Adulting Podcast. Being America’s rising force for positive change, Eden is a catalyst for change in shaping the future of education. With a lifelong mission of impacting the lives of 1 billion young adults, Eden serves as a practical guide, aiding young adults in honing their self-confidence, challenging societal conventions, and crafting a strategic roadmap towards the fulfilling lives they envision.

Do you need a dynamic speaker, or want to learn more about Eden’s programs? Click Here:

Link to the original interview article By Eden Gold in Medium Here: