In this month's episode, the Integrated Care podcast panel dives into one of the heaviest — and most important — clinical topics in primary care: seasonal depression and suicidal ideation. But true to form, they find hope, humor, and practical wisdom along the way.

Panelists:

Grace Pratt, LMFT — Behavioral medicine faculty, Integris Great Plains Family Medicine Residency (Oklahoma City)
Ashley Garrison — Pediatric dietitian, Burlington & Mebane Pediatrics (North Carolina)
Bridget Beachy — Primary care behavioral health integration (Washington state)
Monica Williams, LCSW — Integrated care advocate (North Carolina)
Jen Thomas, MD — Family medicine & addiction medicine physician, co-medical director at CFHA (Illinois)
Nephtali Serrano — CEO, Collaborative Family Healthcare Association (North Carolina)
In this episode:

[0:00] Welcome and introductions
[2:30] News & notes: CFHA conference in St. Louis + new NCQA integrated care measures
[4:30] Quality metrics debate: savior or destroyer of primary care?
[7:30] Main topic: How seasonal depression presents in clinic
[11:30] It's not just winter — reverse seasonal affective disorder and the role of context
[14:30] Nephtali consults Ashley: nutrition strategies for seasonal mood changes
[17:30] Canned green beans get their moment — small wins, big dividends
[23:30] "Justice for canned green beans" — when simple interventions matter most
[27:00] Paper plates as a prescription: meeting patients where they are
[30:00] Bridget on the contextual interview: listening for the intervention
[35:00] Nephtali on normalizing suicidal ideation through an ACT lens
[39:00] What "higher level of care" actually means (and why referral isn't always the answer)
[41:00] Jen shares her personal story of losing her father to suicide
[45:00] The case for leaning into suicide care in primary care — not away from it
[47:00] Closing reflections and thanks