More Than a Diagnosis

In this episode of Just Breathe, we explore fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), its impact on mental health, and how the book There There by Tommy Orange illustrates the real-life challenges many individuals and communities face.

Transcript

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Hello and welcome back to the Just Breathe podcast. I'm your host Fotini and in today's episode we'll be talking about fetal alcohol syndrome, also known as FAS, and how it connects to mental well-being, especially within indigenous communities. We'll also connect this topic to the novel They're There by Tommy Orange. This topic is important because FASS is often misunderstood. Many people only hear stereotypes or quick assumptions, but they're actually deeper social factors, psychological, and historical factors that are connected to it. But before we begin, let's take a quick breath. Breathe in slowly and breathe out. Breathe in and breathe out. So today's episode may cover some heavier topics, so stay open-minded as we learn together. So, what exactly is fetal alcohol syndrome? According to the Mayo Clinic, fetal alcohol syndrome is a condition that's caused by alcohol exposure before birth. It can affect brain development, learning, memory, behavior, and emotional regulation. People with fasts may struggle with attention, impulsive behavior, school performance, or social relationships throughout their lives. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the CDC, explains that people with FAST can also experience mental health challenges, difficulty in school, anxiety, and struggles with independence. This shows that FAST affects more than just physical health. It can deeply impact someone's mental well-being and daily life. This connects directly to their there through the character Tony Lohman. Tony lives with fetal alcohol syndrome and describes feeling judged by the way he looks and acts. Throughout the novel, he struggles with isolation, self-image, and how society views him before people even get to know him. Tommy Orange uses Tony's character to show how fast affects his mental well-being, identity, and relationships. Throughout the book, Tony often feels disconnected from others and even from himself, which reflects the emotional effects that can come with developmental disorders and trauma. His experiences also reveal how quickly people can stereotype indigenous individuals without understanding the deeper causes behind their struggles. In another article from the Indigenous Foundation, it explains that the Native American communities have faced unfair stereotypes surrounding FAST for many years. This article discusses how historical trauma, forced relocation, poverty, the lack of healthcare access, and systemic discrimination have contributed to mental health struggles and substance abuse in some communities. So instead of blaming indigenous communities, the article encourages people to understand the historical and systemic causes that are behind these issues. This is incredibly important because mental well-being is affected by not only individual choices, but also by trauma, environment, culture, and the access to support systems. So for high school students, this topic matters because it reminds us how important empathy and understanding are. In both real life and in the book There There, we can see how harmful stereotypes can affect the way people are treated. So learning about fast can help reduce stigma and encourage compassion towards people that are facing mental health or developmental challenges. So here's the takeaway from today's episode. Mental well-being is shaped by many different factors, including trauma, biology, culture, and the environment. So instead of making assumptions about people, we should try to understand their experiences and support one another with empathy and awareness. Thanks for listening to the Just Breathe Podcast. And remember, sometimes understanding begins when we stop judging and start listening. Thank you.